Chuck,

Like Ed, I have used DupliColor for years and never had a problem.  I seal the wood with MinnWax lacquer sealer and then use DC gray primer.  Then color from either a spray gun or spray cans.  Then I clear coat with three part auto clear.  Attached photo plane was shot using white DC from a spray gun and all trim colors from a spray can.  Keep using it.  I think you'll like it the more you do.  I find it's a very easy paint to apply and repair.

Paul

I think it is important to bring up the fact that Duplicolor makes four (4) different formulas of paint, three are in spray cans.  One is the "Touch Up" spray cans (used to be labeled Truck, Van, and SUV).  It is the older style Acrylic Lacquer automotive paint.  The next is a true "Lacquer" and has "Lacquer" on the front of the can.  The third spray can category is Acrylic Enamel.  Heaviest of the bunch.  (there are actually even more!)

The fourth is their quart cans in the "Paint Shop' series.  These are pre-mixed VOC compliant lacquers for automotive painting.  I like these the best because you can thin them even more if needed.  These spray very easily.  Cost is around $22-$25 per quart.  Still cheaper than Sig! LOL!!

And remember, white is the heaviest color.

Another possibility for a "dope" finish is to use the toners (pigments) only of a color and mix it in clear dope (like Randolphs!)

BIG Bear
RNMM/AMM

Certainly no one will expect the hobbyist to build a spray booth and collect all the equipment needed just to paint a model or two per year. Some are more fortunate, they have that stuff or they have access and assets in the business, but others do not.

With that said, concessions must be made, obviously, but good results can still be obtained.

Aerosol primers.

Spies Hecker is a great brand of paint. I have years of experience using it. Here's the thing. I know Spies has a red brown primer available in aerosol cans. I haven't purchased a can in years, but I believe it's about 20 bucks. Probably not your first choice for color?

Possibly by now, they may have other colors available in aerosol cans also? I do know Spies offers a primer that can be mixed for any top coat color, but then you need spray equipment. I don't know if they can put it in aerosol cans? I've been out of and away from the business for some time, so I'm not up on new stuff.

I do know many automobile paint manufacturers have primers available in a choice of basic, what you could call, colors. Dupont has a white primer. When the time comes, my interest would be the Dupont white primer.

Heavy?

90 % of the primer should be sanded away. A "trace" coat makes this easier. Something to google.

The Spies stuff sticks and sticks well.

Early on I was taught to never mix brands. Something worth considering.

Try the Spies Hecker primer, you'll be glad you did.   

Charles

Yep, and if you have a system that works, stay with it. I read here that this stuff was compatible with SIG dope.

Nope.

Shot some clear over it to see what would happen, and perhaps provide a barrier for the trim. It just loosens up and runs when the SIG hits it.

If you leave out the retarder and use a fast-dry thinner you can put it on dry enough, but that has the pitfall of requiring LOTS of wet-sanding to get rid of the "sandpaper" finish.

Like I said, this was a fun build to try new things. If this had been a serious build I would be in real trouble right now. It would mean sanding everything off with the inevitable sand-throughs on cap-strips and subsequent repairs.

It takes a lot of work to build a straight, light ship. Rolling the dice on finish after all that is ... dumb. Now I have a borderline heavy ship with finish issues. I'll cut some simple vinyl trim just to dress it up and leave it be.

You'd think that after doing this for 40 years I'd know better.