I also posted this in the "kit building" forum. so please excuse the double posting!!


I was wondering if anyone could provide me with some info...

I have been building plastic model kits for years & flying RC for 3 yrs now ... havent built any kits, just assembled a few ARFs. I have 2 Guillows kits (the Corsair & the P-38) that am going to build for display only ... just want to build, cover, & paint them & hang them from the ceiling. I have some dope and covering questions...


I have read about the 2 types of dope - Butyrate & Nitrate... butyrate shrinking forever & nitrate being more foregiving. It looks like my LHS only has butyrate dope (the Aerogloss stuff) ... Who makes nitrate dope & where can I find it? Also can both dopes be thinned with something other than the thinner that the same manufacturer makes & if so, then what? What is used to clean up with both dopes?
I believe I read that butyrate can go over nitrate, but not the other way around (or do I have it backwards?) Can both dopes be painted over (I was just going to use acrylic or enamel model paint)?, or if not, then I guess I would have to use the colored dopes?

Also, have much dope is typically used on models like these 2?

Also, in terms of covering with the tissue, I've read some of the tips for covering, but I was wondering if it has to be covered in small sections like the guillows instructions say, or can it be covered in larger sections?


Any input would be greatlly appreciated.

Thanks,

John

Sig and Brodak sell small quantities of dope for you Gillows planes. If you are not going to fly them I would cover them with one or two coats of nitrate and then paint them with plastic plane enamal, unless painting a large area, if so you can use any spray enamal.

Whenever you have a double contour you will have to cover in sections. You're right you can put butyrate over nitrate but not the other way around. If you will be covering with tissue you can shrink it with water and then paint it. If these will be non-flying why not investigate Testors. You are probably familiar with it if you have built plastic models. Wide range of color choices and scale military colors as well. Look to Major decals for markings. Doping the tissue for non-flyingmodels is usually not necessary. Sig sells nitrate. You can thin it with Acetone. Butyrate requires a different thinner. Are you going to spray or brush? That will make a difference too. Testors comes in small spray cans or bottles for brushing or air brushing.