sheetsg

This is the same question I went through a few months ago. Where I ended up was a G430W and a panel mounted Aero 560 with XM weather. What this gave me was WAAS legal approach capability and better graphic capability for XM weather (more pixels and more colors than 430 or 530). I had the avionics install a crossfill from my 430 to Aero so that I can view the graphical flight plan and the "numbers" from the G430 display. Operationally, the 530 does not provide any additional capability, so it was hard for me to justify the addition $4k or $5k price tag. For $2k, the Aero provides a good display, and when panel mounted is out of the way (i.e. not cables nor yoke clutter). Good luck on your upgrade. Greg

My throttle knob looks out of place after my interior upgrade (see photo below). Any recommedations on how to repaint or where to source a replacement knob. The repaint route needs to be sweety palm tollerant, so what paint has a high gloss and finger proof? This is for an 1984 M20J Thanks,Greg

Breakdown on costs (approx) Leather seats: $2,200 (plus an additional $800 to expedite in AirTex shop) Carpet, vinyl leather inserts, vinyl leather armrests, door and baggage welt, and kick panels : $1000 Paint (8 16oz cans SEM Santa Fe, 4 16 oz cans SEM clear satin, 2 16 oz cans SEM black satin, 2 cans 16 oz SandFree, 2 16oz cans Vinyl Prep, 1 tube SEM Scrub, 1 can gray prime/etch) : $300 Labor in prep (cleaning off old Velcro from window shades, repair of minor cracks and broken holes) ~ 40 hrs Labor in removal of panels and old carpet : ~40 hrs Labor in paint : ~ 10 hrs (3 coats of color, followed by 2 coats of clear, 20 min in between coats) Labor to reinstall panels and carpets: ~ 30 hrs (mostly trimming carpet and kick panels for aircraft) Tip: Used CRC Brakleen to soften and remove old carpet glue from aircraft and plastic panels - but you need plenty of ventilation

Joe, The panels are paint only, but the work is in the preparation of the panels. I also painted the screws and washers to make them blend into the panel. I sprayed 3 coats of color followed by two layers of clear coat. The clear coat gave the appearance of "depth", to the panel and also adds a layer of scratch resistance. I used the SEM product line for preparation, namely soap & water scrub, followed by SEM scrub, then SEM vinyl prep, then just before painting, SEM Sand Free (an acetone spray to aid adhesion). AirTex Interiors supplied both the armrests and inserts. I provided Airtex with a new "z-shaped" base for the armrest, and they covered them. This was the first time they did this way, and they said they liked the idea and would use it again. Greg

For the past two months, I've been working on the interior of my M20J ('84). It all started with the desire to update to panel with WAAS capability, and in an effort to reduce costs, I would remove the interior panels before the installation. Well, the panels were yellow/orange-ish in color (originally an off-white color), the seats looked "OK-ish", but dated in colors, the yokes were suffering from severe flaking, and the insulation was minimal. So, I removed the seats and shipped them to AirTex Interiors to be covered in leather. The panels were removed, repaired as required, then repainted using the SEM "color coat" paint. I used Santa Fe and Satin Black, followed by a coat of clear coat. The old insulation, a mixture of fiberglass and thin (1/2 ") closed cell, was removed and replaced with a M20J SoundEx insulation kit. The yokes were covered by AeroComfort with leather and the new Mooney logo. Besides the great looks, they feel really nice in the hand too. I found that the fresh air scoop in the co-pilot side also emits water into the hoses, both over the behind the panel to the pilot side air vent and to the cabin vent control valve. Both hoses had to be replaced as the metal coil inside each was rusted and had penetrated the fabric covering. Finally, the panel was upgraded (Exxel Avionics) by replacing the KNS-80 with a G430W augmented with an Aero 560 with XM Weather and crossfill from the 430W. I also upgraded to PS Engineering 8000B panel and added intercom jacks for the rear pax too. I bought some 3 mil Al foil to back the new placards (High Plane Graphics), and have yet to attach them. A few leather inserts also need to be taped into place. But, its almost done! I'm quite happy with the results. Greg. P.S. Credit must be given to Mooney201.com for the inspiration on the color and armrest modifications to cover the unused ashtrays.