Paint prep

Paint scheme. The first thing to consider is what paint scheme you’d like to use. Your least expensive option is likely keeping the design that is already on your airplane. If your paint scheme has changed since your airplane was built and you prize authenticity, you can ask the manufacturer if they can find your exact scheme in their archives. Some even have access to paint color names and codes for a perfect match. Or, you could dream up your own paint scheme, but make sure your design and color specifications are well documented so that you get the results you expect. Another option is to use the services of an aircraft paint scheme company that will listen to your criteria and offer many options—and invaluable advice. Scheme Designers worked on the AOPA Sweepstakes Grumman Tiger scheme, and we’ve whittled the options down to the three shown. Scheme Designers creates a realistic 3D computer model of your aircraft that you can rotate and zoom in on, and provides paint shops detailed specifications and templates to make sure the design is reproduced to exacting standards.

Paint shop. Aircraft painting companies, also called aircraft refinishers, are currently experiencing a huge demand for their services; often they are scheduled out six months or more. It’s possible your determining factor for which shop to select may have less to do with price and more to do with how many months you’ll have to wait to have your aircraft painted. You also might consider choosing a paint shop that has experience painting your make and model; they’ll already know the unique challenges your aircraft may pose. Lancaster Aero, based at Smoketown Airport (S37) in Pennsylvania, will paint AOPA’s Tiger. Members loved from afar the paint work they performed on the AOPA Sweepstakes Van’s Aircraft RV–10. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic, the RV–10 was never publicly displayed after it was painted before it was given away in January 2021.

Repairs. Now is the time to make any repairs to your airplane that, if not done before painting, could chip, mar, or otherwise damage the brand-new paint. Examples of common repairs include fixing leaking fuel tanks and repairing tears, cracks, and hole stops in the aircraft skin with a doubler or new material. Done first, these repairs will be virtually invisible after the aircraft is painted.

Modifications. We all love to modify our airplanes—time and money allowing. If you have a few items on your wish list, now is the time to have them installed. We have a few items on the Tiger’s list, including a Power Flow exhaust system that requires modification to the lower engine cowl. And, the Grumman experts at FletchAir contributed hard-to-find parts that will help complete the Sweeps project, including wheel fairings, passenger steps, and an original rudder cap.

Aircraft windows. A shiny new paint job will make the less-than-perfect parts of your airplane stand out in a way you may not want. Crazed and scratched windshields and windows are a prime example. There are many products on the market to polish the plastic to a near-new finish. However, if the windows are too far gone—or you want to change the tint—a new set may be your only option. We’ve opted to ditch the Tiger’s green-tinted windows in favor of LP Aero Plastics’ UV Solar Grey windows. This is another task that is best completed before painting.

Aircraft identification number. If you want to change your N number during a repaint, you can do so by reserving an available N number (search “FAA Registry N number availability inquiry”), getting it assigned to your aircraft, painting the new N number on your aircraft, and then requesting a new airworthiness certificate from the local flight standards district office with the new N number. The AOPA Sweepstakes Grumman Tiger will have a new N number when it exits the paint booth.

Paint. Now that you have a paint scheme, a paint shop reservation, and repairs and modifications are complete, you have a final decision: What kind of paint will you use? Aircraft owners have a range of choices when it comes to paint. In fact, some experimental aircraft owners use spray paint cans or house paint applied with paint brushes, but we wouldn’t recommend it. Most will choose either an aircraft-specific single-stage topcoat or a basecoat-clearcoat paint system. The latter is more durable, but also heavier and more expensive. Lancaster Aero will apply paint contributed by Sherwin-Williams to bring to life the Tiger’s stunning design.

When the Tiger’s paint is finished early in 2022, the aircraft is scheduled to fly coast-to-coast, culminating in an appearance at the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo on April 5, 2022. Please stop by the AOPA tent and see the gleaming airplane you may win.

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