Bought a couple of Guillows models from RCB. I understand these are covered with tissue

Earlier (like in the 70s and 80s) used to first water shrink tissue, then apply dope, sometimes colour dope.

What does one do nowadays? Is dope still available? Any idea where?

Thanks

i use oracover.... it's very easy to cover it, because the parts are smal, so you can just wrap them with one sheet.... but you have to be careful... shrink too much, and your internal structure breaks...

btw which models did you buy??

RZGW160
Supermarine Spitfire 16½" span

RZGW121
Piper Super Cub 95 - 20" span

I can use a film, but complicated decorative work is very difficult, easier to paint only

i built the cub!!! i did use tissue for it, but after 1 year, the tissue has rotted, and it looks like something out of the aircraft graveyard... lol

NC clear lacquer and NC thinner from car paint shops.

Mr. Iyer; does it work equally effective?

Used to work. Last used 6-7 years ago.
Has to be NC, ie, nitro celloluse. Ask for Duco. Smell it, it should smell like dope.
Those that smell/look oily will be oil/ enamel/ polyurethene based - good for balsa but not for shrinking tissue.
If you want really fine coat, spray with a Flit pump. Painted an entire motorcycle (RE Ensign 150) that way once (1971). Very hard work!

BVery very hard work indeed !

Where can i find an oracover or ultracote. (somewhere like a hardware shop etc). Is there any online shop where i can find
oracover or anyother heat shrink cover material. I couldn't find that on RC Bazzar.

Yes... Clear NC varnish as sold at the car shops or one can but it from the paint shop.  have been using it for long.  Actually it is the same thing.... Nitro cellulose based paint.  You can buy whatever colour you want.....
Best Wishes 

thank you... I would go and check it out.

Nc clear is good for paper covering use 1 or 2 % of caster oil in nc clear with thinner .

Hello....... do not use castor oil in NC Clear paint.  Both have different composition and the castor oil will spoil the NC Clear paint.  Just use the authorised Nitro Cellulose thinner... nothing else.

Dope is used for making the covering (tissue/silk/polyester) non porus and for shrinking it.

If you do not want shrinking (for example on an all balsa tailplane), you plasticise the dope by adding a few drops of castor oil, which reduces the shrinking.

Incidentally, castor oil drops will mix with the dope without any problem.

If shrinking is not required, use PU like Wonderwood, Touchwood etc, available in 200ml cans.

There is something called Eze Dope available in the USA/UK (very expensive), which is water based!

If all else fails, will have dissolve a tube of Quickfix in thinner for this scratch built Pilatus Porter...

sir;
commendable. awesome.
you built a scratchbuilt porter and i didnt have the courage to get started on my 747 and my porter.

what ever I wrote Its my experience .I am doing these things since 1976 .

Can also use Rustoleum lacquer spray. Around 500 per spray can

Well dear... tg..... if you have the money to burst well you can buy anything in this world... Literally.  The NC Clear varnish is the correct replacement for the DOPE.  You may also call it the Duco paints clear lacquer.  ALl these cost some Rs 300 per 1000 ml and the NC thinner costs some rs 150 per 1000 ml. 

Otherwise if its just for giving the clear varnish type finish solutions given by Iyer Sir are excellent. 

Incidentally, when weight matters.... the NC CLear or the Duco clear is the lightest.

Managed to get NC Clear today!
Rs 60 for 200ml loose, but packed in a new tin.
(Same price as mentioned by Shobit sir)

Came home happily, poured some into a glass jar, and added NC Thinner to make 50:50.
Guess what? Clouds like cotton wool formed.
RC Aunt, who knows stuff like this from her younger days ( ) immediately said the thinner bottle, sitting on the balconey ledge for the last two years, 'usne pani choos liya'!

Too hot to go out again for fresh thinner. So kept stirring till the cotton wool dissolved. The dope is slightly milky instead of being a clear honey colour.

Arre lagaa ke dekhenge kya hota hai.
Worst come to worst, will re cover tailplane and fin, or make new ones.
Wish me luck...

Yup, moisture

Won't make any difference to the performance, so I won't wish you luck 

Well.... Sir water spoils everything..........