bipeaddict

What brand of nitrate dope do you use?

Is it non-taughtening or taughtening?

Ever use Randolph Products? Classic Aero? Certified Coatings Products? Who makes SIG mfg nitrate dope?

Thanks,

Jim

LesUyeda

I am currently using Certified, taughtening nitrate; mostly because of availability. I have used Randolph and Classic Aero, but I believe that Classic Aero has gone away in face of the EPA, and the demand for dope. Don't know who makes Sig, but I have used that also.

Les

bipeaddict

Les,

Thanks for the response. What is the primary fabric that you use? I have been looking at SIG Koverall. How much shrinkage do you get with the fabric and dope combo that you use.

I am looking for a combo that will work for me for a 1/3 scale Krier Kraft. I also intend on using the klasskote paints. I have been using the klasskote on a sailboat project and the results have been good.

Thanks for your help,

Jim

LesUyeda

My primary fabric these days (electric only) is silk. When I was a gasser , I once used Koverall and swore that for the effort I would go back to silk. The adhesive to hold the fabric to the airframe stuck to my iron soooooo badly, that I spent more time cleaning than I did covering. At that time I found that Super Coverite (adhesive already on the material) was much more user friendly. I cannot speak for current Super Coverite. I am given to understand that the EPA has struck again; the material has been reformulated; and I hear of problems. Koverall and Super Coverite are both heat shrinkeable, and if it was me I would use the heat, and NON taughtening nitrate. That way YOU control the shrink, not the dope. I think that probably your 1/3 scale is too large for silk, and I would be tempted to examine Solartex. You can buy white or antique; it is already colored and somewhat filled, but the fabric texture still shows. Depends on what you want. I have painted over Solartex, but it was soo long ago, I don't remember with what. The fuselage markings and rudder are painted, the roundells are made from vinyl trim.

Les

bipeaddict

Les,

I heard the same thing as you experienced with the koverall and adhesive. The recommendation was to use dope to secure the material to the airframe. If I go the Koverall route I use the non taughtening nitrate for glueing and sealing the fabric.

I have user Solartex and enjoy working with it. However, the Nelson Paint I used on the Solartex didn't stick very well even after sanding the solartex. I am going to try the Klasskote on the Solartex and see if I get a better result. That outcome will probably infuence which way I am going to go.


Very nice Stearman! Thanks for sharing the photo.

Jim

LesUyeda

Thanks, and good luck with your project.

Les