>>The canopy will be very dull before the clear goes on, but it clears right up with the clear coats. <<
You have to careful with dope to go easy the first couple of coats. Don't lay it on like latex. The thinner will disort the canopy. But if you go easy, it's not a problem. I usually sand the canopy fillets right into the canopy and sand the whole thing as Bill describes, then shoot clear over the whole thing. Works really well.