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Building Tips and technical articles. => Paint and finishing => Topic started by: Allan Perret on March 16, 2009, 07:29:19 AM
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I often read that, and I agree. But what is that characteristic of a good rubbed out dope finish that makes it stand out. How do you describe it, its more than just gloss because you can get that with other materials also. It's almost like its an intangible.. So what is it ??
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A really fine rubbed out dope finish has very fine scratches that reflect light in a different way than anything else. That is what gives you that depth of finish that is hard to describe.
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And feel really cool. Not like anything else.
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I don't know how I'd describe it, I just know it when I see it and I find it very attractive. It sort of exudes the effort of the person that finished it. It also has a quality to it that no other finish has.
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It also becomes a magnet for anything you drop!
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In my opinion you find this in places other than model planes. In the late 70s/early 80s I helped construct a few custom built homes. We would stain and hand rub the cabinets and other wood work. We would then coat it with a lacquer type sanding sealer. After sanding, we would wipe and clean the dust off then start building up a lacquer finish. I will readily admit to the greater durability of currently available urethanes, but there is something about a lacquer finish with with lots of hand rubbing that really cathes the eye. Because dope is a kind of lacquer I think this is comparable.