Philip,

Better, faster, and cheaper are not necessarily found in the same product.

I still like dope for finishing, mostly Brodak, some SIG.

Some have used polyurethanes with success. Some polyu's are fuel proof, some are not. Try it first.

Others like rustoleum. Stay away from clear and metalics, not fuel proof. Cheap but takes a week or do to dry completely.

For top-end finishes some use automotive finishes. I have not tried these.

Since I use mostly dope, I'll hope someone chimes in who uses the other methods.

George

   I can say that Nelson hobby paints are the most beneficial paints you can use on 1/2 a planes. No dope is going to withstand even a minor spill on the finish with %25-35%nitro. Sig has a better longevity than Brodak but it will be removed as if someone spilled paint remover on it. I've extensively used Nelson paints and repeatedly spill fuel on it with no effect. I feel these paints are a real tribute to high nitro users . They have virtually no smell, can be used on the most humid days and dry within minutes. I've painted and used the plane the following day. I've never weighed a plane after using but I barely use a 1/2 ounce to painting a 1/2 a sheeted wing plane. It uses water for thinner. It does need to be practiced with to get effecient with it as it has the consistency and look of water colors at first but after 4 coats looks terrific. The paint will run if not left flat so I choose to do one side at a time wait a few minutes then do the other. It matches Monokote very well. I use Nitrate as the initial base as it doesn't bond well to butyrate. Jerry Nelson has a 2 part water based epoxy primer thats formulated to use with the paints but I prefer the dope . A little goes a long way. If I'm not mistaken, I believe some of the r/cer's use latex paints then coat using Nelson clear. I've virtually tried every available marketed paint product that was made available to hobby shops for the past 20 years and can honestly say this paint holds up when used according to the directions. The only paint I haven't experimented with has been 2 part epoxies. Ken

Gloss water based Polyurethane (NOT Polycrylic) seems to be totally proof up to 15% Nitro, I'll have to try nastier stuff soon.

I'll put in a good word for the Nelson paint. I fly with 35% nitro on my carrier planes and the finish stays clear and does not yellow (be sure to use the hardener to get the full fuel proofing). The very nice part is that it is water based and is easy to clean up. It can be thinned with water or a mixture of water and alcohol. It spreads nicely and even though I am not very good at getting great finishes it looks very good.

The Nelson website says its good up to 50% nitro. Here's a link:

http://www.nelsonhobby.com/paint.html

Is there a clear product from a common hardware store that will fuelproof decals and certain plastic parts.

Victor, once again you asked the question better than i did!