Aircraft dope anyone? - created 08-10-2006
Womack, Jim - 08/10/2006.13:06:10
I was curious if anyone out there has ever used aircraft dope to to finish a guitar? In the past, I have helped some friends cover their homebuilt aircraft. Basically, nitrate dope is used to seal the fabric and butyrate dope is used over the nitrate to build up the finish. Nitrate dope is nothing but nitrocellulose lacquer, butyrate is butyl based, and more solvent resistent than the nitrate dope. Both types are available in non-tautening (low-shrinkage) formulas and a variety of additives are available; blush retardants, plasticizers, tints, etc. In my experience, it's a lightweight finish, sprays well, easy to buff out, and is very tough.
I've got two guitars under construction now and will most likely try it on one of them. Just curious if anyone else has gone down this road before.
Why? Why don't you just use regular nitro on a guitar?
I once used regular old nitro on a blasa/tissue model airplane, it worked well.
I haven't had any experiance with aircraft dope for about twenty five years so my information is out dated but... Back in the day when I worked in a crop duster shop, the dope would make nitro lacquer smell like air freshener, truely nasty stuff. No resperator, instant major headache that would linger a few days. That little red and white striped S-1 Pitts looked great though.
Everything chemical is probably new, so that may not be the case today. If you deside to give it a test, please report your findings. I might follow your lead if the costs and quantities are not outrageous.
I've got a gallon of Randolph nitrate dope and about a half gallon of the butyrate variety. That's certainly one of my motivating factors. Another factor is that I've got a lot of experience using these products. Like I mentioned earlier, nitrate dope is basically nitrocellulose lacquer. I'm going to test both varieties on some Mahogany test pieces before I commit, so I'll let you know how it turns out.
Jim, Im interested in using nitrate dope for the same reason as you, I have a lot of it!. The Sig brand is my favorite. It will give you a very thin hard satin finish that won't muffle the vibrations of the soundboard. It must be thinned at least 50-50 and sprayed on, if you brush it on it will dry almost as fast as you apply it and leave brush marks. Its toxic stuff and may be banned in the near future. Its safer to use it up outdoors on a Piper J3...Bob.
I'd like a Fender Mustang copy in SIG Curtiss Blue.
Well, I've just started to finish my Sapele/Red Spruce dread with nitrate dope. Give me about 2 weeks and I'll give you an update, Scott. I already finished a few offcuts and was satisfied enough to proceed.
Great! Can't wait to see the pix. Thanks Jim.