Ty,

Love those transparent finishes. I especially like the Tucker. That looks slick.

Two tricks that works well on silk is to a) use a sponge (it has to be a real sponge, 'cause synthetic sponges are generally disolved by clear dope) to wipe the fairly thin and well retarded dope on,  and b) put the dope on the bottom of the surface, i.e., get the model up above you and put it on from below. Gravity makes the dope stay on the surface, instead of form droplets inside the wing.

If you have a hole here and a hole there, I'd consider putting a dab of fairly thick clear (and a bunch of retarder?) on the hole and immediately covering the area with a piece of plastic kitchen wrap. Capilary action should keep the dope on the surface, but again, gravity can also help, so let it dry with that downward.

If Ty has a scheme that involves water, I'm perplexed....  Steve

Ty,
Love the Tucker, great side profile shot,,
Like the other bird as well, but that view of the tucker, just rocks!