Right Then .
Used to be $ 30 for 4 gallons , from supplier Brolite New Zealand . Aircraft Dope . back in the early 70s . Had to thin it 50 % or the brush would stand up in it . For Starters .
As we built mainly Combat Wings , youd throw 5 coats on in quick succcesion . With the zylene labled NZ stuff now , some cracking up with hurried application , you dont get with Sig Dope !
The stuff pictured is $ 30 a litre ( about a US Quart ) in Austrawlia now , $ 11 to $ 16 turn of the century .
Stuff shown gives a bit of a gloss . Labled as ' Nitro Cellulose Lacker ( fine print ) model engines brand here back then ( 2000) gave superior finish with less coats .
Thanks for putting us straight on that Brett . Theres a ' pheonics Lacquers ' Dope Here . Nitrate 7 Butrate shrinking & non shrinking . Theyre scared of the shrinking in places .
They also do a Nitro Cellulose Lacquer , which is Nothing Like the 70's Nitro Cellulose .
But , From the Horses Mouth , same as Nitrate with' more body ' . Blankety Nitrate drps to show the grain, a week after you think youve finished .
SO , I think its two coats of shrinking , for the Open Bays , and Their Nitro Cellulose for base . Then AUTO CLEAR . The #@&^* Two Pot put 6 Oz on the P 51 , so thats out .
The Dupli Colour CLEAR seems V fuel resistant , given a chance to harden /
Problem Is theres no Brodak , The Mnfg ( new Owners ) has messed with the Pheonics Formular ( no doubt to lower costs . ) PLUS its Not CLEAR Finish . light brown yellow tint .
Sig is $ 45 + a Quart ( NO Gallon cans ) and no Lite Coat , Unless theyve reponded to my harangueings , said theyd check it out , importer .
Summary !
Previous ' xylene ' labled was 10 coats no gloss , or shrink cracking . No Real Nitro Cellulose No More .
When it were $ 30 four gals/ 7.50 GALLON , $ 80 Gal for Pheonics or $ 250 Aus. odd per Imperial Gallon for Sig Here , you can see a worried man singing a worried song .
NOW , if it were 1968 AGAIN , We Wouldnt Have These Problems !
and did I mention The Balsa Wood .