Guys,
Just wondering is in final finish is there any advantage of using base coat with clear coat over using dope for color then the same 2 part clear coat? Seems if you have a solid, smooth, flat dope substrate and good dope that has gassed off then the then 2 part clear coat, isn't it just the final sealant and gloss for either system. Why use the base coat color (unless there is a particular color that isn't available in dope)?

Best,    DennisT

Not much difference in the prep work required for dope or automotive base coat

A couple of different methods:

http://www.flyinglines.org/ptg.finishing.html

http://www.flystunt.com/2014/01/28/a-modern-model-finish/

Dope is more fuel proof than base coat. With the latter the clear coat is the only protection.

The advantage is that you can get an unlimited color selection in basecoat paints , and they ususally cover better than dope as the pigments are better . Less color coats to cover. Also they do not keep shrinking  like dope. You can paint in bad weather, humidity etc. When done properly they do not weigh any more than dope either.

Walter,

You're absolutely 100% correct. I couldn't have said it better.

In fact, I did. I said the same thing 10 years ago. 

OK, so unless you need some special color (like Porsche Boxster yellow) or you need it tomorrow, then good quality, high coverage Brodak dope and death paint clear coat work just fine. Pretty much what I've been doing for at least 10 yrs (well that's when we started with the 2 part in a rattle can clear, others have used Imron years before). I like dope cause I have lots of it in the shop to use up. I use inexpensive Preval spray bottles (Home Depot) and a little elbow grease to get it smooth and flat, still works and is reasonably light, 2 part gives an OK gloss.

I sometimes just like to take the pulse of what others have tried. Since the 2 part clear is the fuel proofer almost any paint will do, (not sure about brushing it but rattle cans will do just fine, just have to watch the weight), always more than one way to do it.

Best,  DennisT