Matte Finishes

I would like to find a method/additive that will provide a semi-dull, matte finish to Brodak clear dope. My building skills arent't the best and glossy finishes only magnify my shortcomings. IMO, dull finishes mitigate them and, since I'm just getting back into the CL scene, who cares about appearance?

Years ago (when I flew FF), I used a clear "matte finish" K&B product for power models and some sort of additive to nitrate dope for rubber models. They had a pleasing dull finish that (supposedly) turbulated the airflow and improved flying characteristics.

I've looked at the SIG and Brodak catelogs but haven't found anything. Thanks for your help.

Just let me apply it. I guarantee it will come out a matte finish no matter what I try and do to it!!!

The old standard was to add talcum powder to the dope to get that "flat finish military look". The British used lamp black mixed into the clear dope on early night fighter Mosquitos. I have read it made them several MPH slower than their day finished brothers.

K&B's epoxy paints could be mixed with three kinds of "Part B," a gloss version, flat, and "Satin" finish. To turn a doped finish of camoflage colors that were mixed up from glossy paints, you waited weeks to be sure all the volatiles gassed off, sanded it lightly, and sprayed the Super Poxy Clear on top to get a flat or satin surface.

K&B/MECOA is supposed to be producing the Ultra-Poxy stuff that K&B had changed to near the end, and then tripled their prices for (not MECOA, the price escalation was K&B's before they sold out). I didn't see multiple parts "B" for that finish system, however.

Kiwi

Sig makes a flat Clear, in case you're interested in another brand.

What about satin water-based poly clear? I have used the gloss with good success-25% nitro just runs off. And it is cheap and easy to work with.

This sounds promising. What is the name of the product you are using and can it be applied over dope?

A little background... I'm still brushing on my finishes. I've acquired a nice LPHV spray gun and am looking for a suitable compressor. I've heard a lot about Chroma Clear but am somewhat concerned with the safety/health issues. Are water-based finishes less toxic and do they need to be sprayed on? Gary

>This sounds promising. What is
>the name of the product
>you are using and can
>it be applied over dope?

The stuff I have is called water based Poly-Finish from Ace Hardware. Another I have heard recommended but couldn't find in the neighborhood is the same product under the Carver Tripp label. I brushed a coat of this on my son's 1/2A that was losing its Brodak orange to the solvent power of 35% nitro. Now the fuel just rolls off. This stuff has a mild, sort of damp odor, but nothing like dope. I use it in the house and no one is the wiser. It washes up with water. I know it is made in a satin finish. It went on looking pretty sloppy, but dried to a decent shiny finish with no huge brush marks. I think I paid about $12 for a quart of it. It will last us for years. Try it, I think you will like it.

Why not do a dope finish, clear over, and scuff it down with steel wool or a scotchbrite pad? If you don't need high nitro fuelproofing, this would be lighter, cheaper and mucho easier to repair on paper/silked areas at least. Also, if you decide it came out well, all you need to do is buff it up with a suitable polish. Mr. 17 said that he figured the matte finish on the #1 B-17 added 8 oz (Sig dope) more than gloss clear, which is why the 909 has glossy finish. Steve

Mattes are not hard to make, however as Steve hinted they are heavy. Reason being that the agent to flatten a gloss is called in the paint trade CLAY. It is usually a powdered calcium carbonate or similar substance. I once worked for a paint mfg and took a gallon of clear two part and added enough of this to matte the finish and the gallon was so heavy it took a forklift to move it. Exaggerated but you get the point. Thats what the white crap was in the bottom of that flat finish part B K&B.