Aircraft Painting & Exterior Refurbishment

Most general aviation aircraft need to be repainted approximately every 7 to 10 years, although the timeline varies depending on climate, hangar storage, aircraft use, and overall maintenance.

Aircraft operating in coastal environments and frequently exposed to salt air may need refinishing closer to the five-year mark, while well-maintained, hangared aircraft may be able to go beyond 10 years between paint jobs.

Fading, chalking, peeling, cracking, or visible corrosion beneath the paint are some of the clearest signs that it may be time for a repaint.

Not all aircraft paint quotes are created equal.

A full chemical strip or sand-and-recoat estimate should clearly outline the work included in the project. Depending on the aircraft and scope of work, this may include:

• Hazardous material removal fees included in the flat-rate price
• Corrosion inspection and treatment
• Bodywork and surface repairs
• Primer and topcoat materials
• Multi-color and striping work, including up to three stripes
• Painting of the main entry door and baggage door frames
• Painting of gear doors
• Replacement of the radome boot, if applicable

While every shop’s workflow varies slightly, a standard repaint generally follows these steps:

1. Inspection – Documenting the aircraft’s current condition and identifying problem areas
2. Stripping – Removing old paint, typically via chemical stripper, down to bare metal
3. Post-strip inspection- Checking for corrosion or structural issues now visible
4. Surface repair – Addressing dents, pitting, or corrosion found during inspection
5. Pretreatment – Etching and applying a corrosion-inhibiting conversion coating (e.g., Alodine) to aluminum surfaces
6. Priming – Applying an epoxy primer for adhesion and corrosion protection
7. Masking and base coat – Applying the primary color(s)
8. Design layout – Masking and painting stripes, logos, and registration numbers
9. Final detailing – Removing masking, resealing around windows, and adding required placards

4-5 weeks is standard depending on design complexity and the shop’s schedule. Custom scheme’s may take additional labor for layout and dry time.

Absolutely. PremierMRO will supply each customer with a design specialist to begin the paint scheme process. A full color drawing with manufacturer paint chips and part numbers will be provided for approval. If an outside engineering firm was used, we can match provided drawings.

Aircraft use specialized aviation coatings, Premier Aviation uses

PPG 8800 Topcoat – Premium aerospace polyurethane topcoat delivering exceptional gloss, long-term durability, and outstanding UV and weather resistance for a lasting finish.

Axalta Imron AF700 – High-performance polyurethane basecoat offering vibrant color, excellent coverage, and superior appearance for premium aircraft finishes.

Axalta Imron AF400 – Durable polyurethane topcoat designed for general aviation, providing excellent gloss, long-lasting protection, and easy application.

Axalta Imron AF740 – High-solids polyurethane clearcoat engineered to enhance gloss, improve durability, and deliver a smooth, premium-quality finish over AF700 basecoat.