Well it takes a minimum of of four coats of dope after the model is covered, then a carful light sanding then another coat of clear to act like a seal and/or blocking coat, it should start to shine from just the clear before going any further. You can give two coats every day, one early in the am, the other lat at night. Depending on what I’m doing, I like to apply enough dope on the model to make sure I’m only sanding the clean dope. I haven’t tried using a thing that’s not dope period! Primer is either sanding sealer or clear withe zinc striate added to the clear, about one heaping table spoon for a quart is all you need. Brush two coats of the primer and let it dry for a few days, then wet sand with 600 sandpaper, when you satisfied shoot another coat of clear over the model again to seal off the base.
From this point on spray all colors making sure to seal the edges of your tape with clear dope. Once you trim is applied and the tape is remover genteelly rub the the edges of your trim colors with a credit card to remove the high point of the edge. Let the paint cure for a few days and lightly sand the tape edges with 600 wet or dry sandpaper (wet). Wash off the model with Windex and paper towels (twice). Mix up the the clear dope by mixing up two quarts of clear mixed with thinner 50 50%, now spray another coat of clear on the tape lines on the entire model. Once that is almost dry, give the model another coat of clear. Let that dry overnight and carefully check to make sure there are no imperfections in the paint. Again, lightly sand the tape edges with 600 (wet) or dry and clean the model with Windex and paper towels.
Using a tack rag between evert coat gently remove any dust particles and spray a new coat of clear dope. You will notice the the edges of the tape lines are all but gone now. Shoot the rest of one quart of clear and allow that to dry. Again, if your satisfied, start shooting the second quart of 50 50 dope until the the clear is gone. Then allow the dope to dry for a week or more and the dope to shrink down, (at this point you can test fly the model) and touch up any chips that have shown up.
Again, clean the model with windex and paper towels, starting on the bottom, lightly sand the clear dope with 1000 grit wet or dry sandpaper (wet) until you have a dull Matt finish over the entire model. Now start your rubbing out process using 3M fine rubbing compound, then switch to a very fine rubbing compound. Apply a good wax and buff up the shine with the wax, now it should be very shinny and looking great.
Note: At this point you can replace the second quart of dope with PPG high quality automotive clear. Go easy it’s weight is way more than dope. Apply two coats of the clear, the first coat a light tack coat, and the second coat an even smooth coat and allow to cure for a few days before buffing out.
Later,
Mikey Pratt