P r e p a
i n t I n s p e c t i o n
|
Upon arrival, the aircraft
is inspected to determine existing conditions, including surface
skins, composites, windows, landing gear, control surfaces, etc.
Any defects that could affect the quality of the exterior
painting are noted and discussed with the customer prior to starting
work.
|
F l i g h t C o n t r o l
s
|
Flight controls are removed for priming
and painting.
After final paint is
applied, controls are balanced, reinstalled and operationally
checked.
|
M
a s k i n g
|
Protective masking material is applied to aircraft
windows, composites, and applicable flight controls. All
openings are sealed. All magnesium surfaces are covered
with silver tape. |
S t r i p
p i n g a n d S a n d i n g
(taking
it all off...) 

|
The aircraft and controls are stripped
using a non-chromate, non-phenolic stripper. The aircraft is
cleaned with mild soap and rinsed with heated fresh water. Afterwards,
protective aluminum masking material is completely removed.
Included in the base
price is stripper for one application. If re-coating is
necessary due to excessive paint build-up, or difficult substrate
primers, additional material and labor charges will apply. All
composite parts and magnesium surfaces are sanded as required.
|
C
o m p o s i t e s
|
Applicable composites (fairings, duct
inlets and radomes) are painted with a flexible fill primer,
sanded, painted with an applicable anti-static primer, followed
by another flexible fill prime coat, and then sanded for topcoat
application. |
C
o n v e r s i o n C o a t i n g
|
Protective masking materials are applied
to sensitive areas and the aircraft is washed with a chemical
etch/soap, scrubbed, and rinsed with fresh water.
Alodine (chromic acid)
is applied, left on until color change is evident, and rinsed
off with fresh water. Masking materials are removed.
|
P
r i m e r A p p l i c a t i o n
|
Protective masking is
applied to the proper areas and the aircraft is wiped down with
an alcohol based cleaner.
A self-etch, or chromate
epoxy corrosion protective primer, is applied. Fill primer is
applied to the fuselage, tops of wings and tip tanks as needed
for cosmetic appearance.
|
Top Coat Application

|
The primer coat is sanded
and protective masking replaced as required.
The aircraft is blown
off with high-pressure dry air, wiped down with an alcohol based
cleaner and cleaned with tack rags.
The floor is wet down
to eliminate possible air contamination caused by paint technicians's
movement across the floor during the paint process. The
painting booth temperature is set at 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Two to three coats of
high gloss polyurethane (U.S. Paint, Alumigrip or Sherwin Williams
Jetglow) are applied to the aircraft and the control surfaces.
After the paint application,
the booth temperature is raised to 85 degrees Fahrenheit for
drying.
NOTE: One base color
is included in standard pricing.
|
Layout
and Striping
|
The layout is done in
accordance with customer approved drawings and is inspected by
the project designer for final layout approval prior to painting.
After painting of the
stripes, the tape is pulled immediately (if the layout design
allows), leaving a clean , crisp edge.
NOTE: Two stripe colors
are included in standard pricing. Each additional stripe color
per design specification is approximately $750 each.
|
Placards
|
Existing placards are replaced with new
placards in accordance with FAA requirements.
|
Standard Detailing
Procedures for All Projects
|
Final detailing and
post paint inspection will be completed prior to delivery to
customer:
- Pro Seal
windows
- Pro Seal
engine inlet rings
- Pro Seal
leading edges
- Pro Seal
exterior seams - if required.
- Prep and
paint entry door jams
- Polish brite
work
- Fuel caps
- paint red and polish filler rings
- Paint exit
and entry door boarders
- Prep and
paint wheel wells and landing gear
- De-ice boots
dressed and new anti-static paint applied - (turboprops only)
- Clean and
detail antennas - as required
|