Inspect Aircraft | Prepare for Paint Strip | Strip Paint | Prepare Aircraft for Paint | Prime | Body Work | Base Coat Application | Scheme Layout and Application | Reassembly | Final Detail
Inspect Aircraft
Extensively photograph aircraft Check lighting operation Note dings, dents, corrosion, missing rivets, etc. Flight controls for damage Windshield and window condition Door seals and door operation Condition of fiberglass and plastic Propeller condition Fuel and oil leaks Antennae condition Wing and horizontal stabilizer root seals
Prepare for Paint Strip
Protect windows with 4 layers alternating paper and heavy duty foil and 3M™ foil tape Cover interior with plastic Seal flight control gaps, skin laps, doors and gas caps with 3M™ foil tape Cover all fiberglass, plastic, antennae, deicing boots, vents, landing gear and propeller(s) to prevent stripper contact
Strip Paint
Apply HybridAero HYBRID-STRIP, Boeing & Lockheed Martin approved environmentally friendly stripper (BOSS never uses hazardous methylene chloride) Pressure wash aircraft to remove stripper Remove all protective masking layers from windows and deice boots Final rinse entire aircraft
Prepare Aircraft for Paint
Remask windows, propeller(s) and deice boots to protect them Remove all flight controls and flaps Inspect aircraft for damage hidden by old paint Lightly sand paint residue and corrosion from entire aircraft skin between rivet rows Use Norton Beartex™ abrasive wheels on all universal head rivets to prevent damage Degrease and wash aircraft Acid etch aircraft to promote finish adhesion Passivate aircraft with Alu-Gold conversion coating to aluminum surfaces (Mag-Coat on magnesium surfaces) to provide a corrosion resistant layer Rinse entire aircraft and remove all protective masking layers
Prime
Remask windows, propeller(s) and deice boots to protect them Apply Sherwin Williams™ corrosion resistant epoxy primer
Body Work
Fill dents on non-control surfaces Fix cracks in fiberglass fill and feather smooth if feasible* Apply one or more coats of high-build primer if necessary Lightly sand entire airplane Reprime areas as needed
Base Coat Application
Wipe down entire airplane with solvent to remove contamination Wipe down entire airplane with tack rags to remove dust Apply 3 coats of PPG Aerospace single-stage polyurethane Allow finish to cure slowly to ensure the wet look
Scheme Layout and Application
Meticulously lay out scheme desired by customer Invite customer in to be part of the process Or send photographs to customer for approval before applying color
Reassembly
Rebalance Flight Controls to manufacturers’ specifications by FAA Certified Mechanics Reassemble flight controls and flaps
Final Detail
Apply Flamemaster™ Chemseal around windows Apply Randolph™ Abrasive Wing Walk Compound where required Thoroughly clean deice boots to ensure sealant adhesion Apply Goodrich conductive edge sealer to deice boot edges Apply aircraft placards Perform landing gear retraction test on retractable geared aircraft Wash and detail aircraft