ORIGINAL: abufletcher
I would VERY STRONGLY recommend that you try Solartex. If you haven't used this iron-on, heat-shrink fabric-based covering before, you're in for a treat Forget the oracover (plastic film, yuck! ) and forget the hassle of dope, unless you just really really really really really want to give it a shot.
If you do, against all common sense, decided to try a dope finish (and I do understand the urge), then I'd recommend that you go with koverall (a heat-shrinking polyester fabric similar to what's used on actual aircraft). Only the truly crazy among us would use silk!
I don't know why there's an urge to try dope. I know it's a hassle yet something whispers in my ear to try it. Probably because I've never done it, and with my normal reasoning that "If someone else can do it so can I" there's always a lure to try stuff.
Yep, I don't want the plastic film look of coracover, even though I like appying the stuff. What I want to get is a painted finish (and an excuse to buy an airbrush probably). I'm guessing I can paint both Solartex and the Koverall. I read up on both materials, and I was wondering, does Solartex flex a little in the sun like oracover does? Or maybe oracover isn't supposed to and I might be doing it wrong, that is a possibility.
I'd have to check the availability of both the Solartex and Koverall, or be out in good time to order overseas. Good thing that I'm nowhere near finished yet!
Edit: I like what I read about Solartex. Going with the natural one should make a nice paintable surface, ordering from the UK is about 12£ on a quick check, compared to the equivalent of 20£ locally. As long as it stays a bit more solid than what my oracover jobs have been, it should be brilliant!