I have just completed refinishing a Bridi Basic Trainer (20 size taildragger) that I originally built about 20 years ago and put a lot of flights on it.

The finish is Silkspan over the balsa with Butyrate dope. I could not believe that this finish has lasted all of these years and it was so easy to refinish because the new coats of Butyrate rejuvinated and blending right into the old finish.

When I originally did the Silkspan covering I used some Butyrate with sanding filler in it. This give a very smooth finish and does not add all that much weight if you sand it before putting on the finish. The Silkspan was applied with 50/50 thinned clear Butyrate, then ligtly sanded before the sanding sealer was applied. Then sand again before the finish color is applied. This finish requires a bit of work with all the sanding, but it really stands up to the test of time.

The Silkspan really adds tremendous strenght to the balsa fuselage sides.

The wing was done with Coverite Silkspun fabric and Butyrate.

One caution, use a look of ventilation when painting with dope.

They don't call it DOPE for nothing.


Bill, I can't wait to see the SD kit

There's a rejuvenator especially made for dope/fabric. It has plastisizers and solvents which restore the flexibility and finish. It's available from Aircraft Spruce.

I couldn't agree more on the subject of ventilation. I got overexposed at a young age and have to be extremely careful not to breath the fumes. I have a blower mounted outside my shop to deliver clean air to a face mask I wear when using dope. It's inconvenient, but it beats being sick.

Roger

George:

I had as 20 year old Jabberwock rubber job I gave away about ten years ago. The wing and empennage were Jap tissue, extremely brittle, needed recovering. The fuselage, done with silk, was still perfect. I didn't want to bother with the recovering, so I just gave it away, along with the new Jap tissue I had gotten to do the job.

And the SD is on its way. Me? I get to wait for the very last one! Rats!

Bill.