Painting with dope

[Gary Anderson]

Hi guys, I was wondering, do you use more dope when you're painting with a brush or spray painting? I think a lot depends on the type of spray rig you use. I use a gravity feed type detail spray gun. If the dope is mixed proper you don't see any brush marks. Been using Brodak dope and it seems to work very well. I believe I don't apply as much dope with the spray rig. Whats your thoughts? Just another dumb question, Gary

[Bill Little]

Hi Gary,

That's a good question!  I always heard, when I was young, that you wasted more when you are spray painting, but I haven't found that to be the case!

I can put on more "coats" with a spray gun than a brush with out using more.

[Wayne Collier]

hav pntd spray $ bresh metods in de house an out de hous   boff has  werk fer me   sum sez eksess fumes has afektid me thanken  i thank it aint

[Gary Anderson]

Thanks for your comments. Another question, when you sand do you dry sand or wet sand your paint project? I have done it both ways, I believe wet sanding does a better job. Also I have used rubbing compound on a finish and decided to paint some more. Can you clean the project with presol and then  paint? Or can you clean off the project with windex and paint? Maybe have to resand paint surface? I thought I was done but decided to add some more color. Thank you for your help, Gary

[Bill Little]

Thanks for your comments. Another question, when you sand do you dry sand or wet sand your paint project? I have done it both ways, I believe wet sanding does a better job. Also I have used rubbing compound on a finish and decided to paint some more. Can you clean the project with presol and then  paint? Or can you clean off the project with windex and paint? Maybe have to resand paint surface? I thought I was done but decided to add some more color. Thank you for your help, Gary

Hi Gary,

Once I am in the "finishing" stages of painting, I always wet sand.  That's just how I do it.  The paper doesn't load up as bad if the dope has cured pretty good when you wet sand.

I use "prep sol" (actually PPG kryl klean, or something like that!) to clean up after I have rubbed a plane and then have to add paint.  Rubbing alcohol (but not the 91%, it can remove paint!!) works, and I would guess Simple Green, CSC, or even Windex if you are thorough will work.  And sometimes I wet sand with 800 after I have cleaned it.  If you don't get the compound off, it will usually cause fish eyes in the new paint.  With dope, it is a chemical bond.  it "eats" in to the old layers.  So having a roughed up surface isn't quite as necessary as when you are using enamels, epoxies, or other "mechanical bond" paints.

[Bootlegger]

  As for as wet sanding, be sure that the wood has enough finish on it that the water doesn't get in to it...I don't think you would like that...

[Ward Van Duzer]

R/C Pilots iron out their problems...

Ukie pilots use dope 

[Gary Anderson]

Hi guys, I usually brush on five coats, dry sanding between coats. Install silkspan on fuse, dry sand three coats. After that I use filler coat and wet sand. Of coarse keeping an eye on weight. I don't add any color to my clear. If I hold my plane at different angles I can spot any low spots. I start spraying after the first coat of filler. I start out using 400 wet and dry sand paper, my final sanding I use 1500 wet and dry. Maybe some day I'll get a finish thats worth looking at. I usually take plane out and trim it before I do my paint scheme. If she works out, too lazy to finish her. If she doesn't, oh well what can I say. Thanks for your input, I appreciate it. This is just fun, I enjoy reading all the different articles, Gary

[Bill Little]

R/C Pilots iron out their problems...

Ukie pilots use dope 

Bwaaahhhhaaaaa, hhhaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!

I resemble that remark!

 

[Jim Kraft]

I am a brush guy myself. I have a compressor, a spray gun, and three air brushes, but I prefer to brush. I don't use any filler, just clear dope all the way out to the color. I find it is good therapy to brush dope, and I enjoy doing it that way. I thin most clear and color coats 50 to 70 %, and use a little color in the clear for the light colored dope to keep the weight down. I'm not the best finisher in the world, but I have fun, and I did get 18 appearance points at VSC this year on my Magician.

[Bill Little]

That's sweet, Jim! 

It just takes a *little* longer to do it with a brush and it takes a learned technique with patience.