Help me find Silk
#1
Hi all,
New in the Universe, and just getting back into the hobby after 50 years… Boy, Have things changed!
In the old days, my covering choice was usually silk. I’m building my initial kit (Sig Sr. Kadet ) and I’ve been sourcing and buying stuff to get started but have not found a source for silk except for Sig’s website. I’d like to check other sources for a price comparison but haven’t been successful.
For those who use it, where do you buy your silk and dope?
Thanks, in advance…
New in the Universe, and just getting back into the hobby after 50 years… Boy, Have things changed!
In the old days, my covering choice was usually silk. I’m building my initial kit (Sig Sr. Kadet ) and I’ve been sourcing and buying stuff to get started but have not found a source for silk except for Sig’s website. I’d like to check other sources for a price comparison but haven’t been successful.
For those who use it, where do you buy your silk and dope?
Thanks, in advance…
Last edited by MooneyGuy; 09-17-2025 at 05:00 AM.
#4
Rather than silk you might look into Sig's Koverall as it is heat shrinkable and stronger than silk. I usually get my nitrate dope and thinner from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. They also carry butyrate colors but for the quantities we use Sig still has some dopes as does Brodak.
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MooneyGuy (09-18-2025)
#5

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From: Verona, ITALY
Rather than silk you might look into Sig's Koverall as it is heat shrinkable and stronger than silk. I usually get my nitrate dope and thinner from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. They also carry butyrate colors but for the quantities we use Sig still has some dopes as does Brodak.
#6
I have used Sig koverall and SIG dope with excellent results.
I have bought silk from Dharma but have yet to use it. I will on my Compensator build when the weather warms up.
https://www.dharmatrading.com/fabric...botai-5mm.html
I have bought silk from Dharma but have yet to use it. I will on my Compensator build when the weather warms up.
https://www.dharmatrading.com/fabric...botai-5mm.html
#7

My Feedback: (1)
I also recommend Koverall. I also use Stix-It and Nitrate dope from Sig. I bought a half dozen packages of Koverall many years ago, you can cover a couple of 1/4 scale planes with one pack. I did the same with the Stix-It and dope. As long as the cans haven't been opened they will store for years. Koverall is similar to polyester dress liner, it is very strong and shrinks with heat, takes dope and all paints well. I usually seal the fabric with a couple of coats of nitrate dope, then use a filling primer and then either Krylon or Rustoleum paint. The dope will also shrink the fabric and keep it tight.




