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This is what the paint shop (ArtCraft at KSMX) told me to use and it seems to work great: https://www.amazon.com/Ardex-Hydro-Gloss-Step-Speed/dp/B01CKJ7WWC/ref=sr_1_4?crid=116EGOKAEV5G&keywords=ardex+detailing+products&qid=1684528892&sprefix=ardex%2Caps%2C176&sr=8-4&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc

I can't believe something in CA would be less expensive than in the rest of the country. The basic quote from Artcraft last fall was $22k. The final came in just over $30k but that included 36 hours of body work, installation of flap gap seals, 8 more hours to remove some antennas and put in filler plates and patch smooth, plus the design of the paint scheme. I am extremely happy with the job they did. https://intothesky.com/2023/01/17/art-craft-paint-review/

I was going to go with the adjustable receptacle so I could keep all the studs the same BUT the adjustable receptacles are like $50/EA! This was a project I was going to do myself, but I may just pony up the $$$ and let ArtCraft do the cowling repairs and install the fasteners. After all, once I “fix” it, the cost will probably be 2-3X to "fix my fixes." That’s how I roll Steve

Wow!!! That’s a stellar looking Mooney! I must say, a stellar performance from Artcraft…. 4 weeks from drop off to completion? That might be one of the most efficient paint processes from them!! Early on during my Artcraft era, one Mooney (Ovation), brought into the shop was processed in 7 days!!! True story. Your paint process might possibly be a another record setter for Artcraft! Congratulations Richard……. Congratulations Artcraft!! Transformation complete!! Gorgeous!!! Edit..Whoops, I stand corrected…. not 4 weeks, but still a fairly efficient time frame indeed

Thank you for sharing this video. Brings back fun memories of my home drone. Enjoy you beautiful new paint from Artcraft!!

They were the list of Artcraft preferred shops as well.

Thanks all on this one--No Worries @carusoam I was a bit tongue-in-cheek with my response too;-). Artcraft painted my plane and they did put all placards on the aircraft (painted no stickers) except for the one for the nose jack! Must have missed it. I've attached a pic of my bird for your viewing pleasure.

It's at ArtCraft, dropped it off Saturday morning. They have been professional and a pleasure to deal with starting with the first email inquiring about a price. They took me on a tour of their facility when I dropped it off, very nice operation. Their design guy was great to work with on the paint scheme taking my ideas and turning them into a reality. Their base price was about 40% higher than another local shop but I've seen a number of planes from the other shop and from ArtCraft and the quality appears to be much higher from ArtCraft. From the estimate (we'll see what it is in reality) they are talking a 30 day turn around as opposed to 6-8 weeks from the other shop. Also, they were able to get me on the schedule and in the shop within a month of the first inquiry, the other shop was scheduling out in next March. They paint on average 13-15 planes, a big operation. Add everything together and the additional cost made sense to me. This is probably the only time I will get it painted. "Buy the best and cry once"

A fun day today. I was able to take Teresa a copy of the new Flying Magazine featuring Pia Bergqvist Mooney Manny, and Artcraft Paint who painted him. Artcraft has painted over 60 Mooneys including two of mine. Congrats on a wonderful article 6-7 page article about this family-owned business! Located in Santa Maria, CA. Check out the current issue of the magazine for a comprehensive article on protecting your Mooney with a quality paint job. Both Maggie and Manny will be on display at AOPA Camarillo, CA coming up April 28-29th. Artcraft will have a booth there too.

Total time was about two months. Part of that was length of time was ArtCraft Paint waiting on me to decide I had the best design possible and to choose the right colors. Total cost was a bit over $25K. That included the complex paint, ceramic coat, chafe tape and all new stainless steel fasteners throughout.

Wow, I know ArtCraft does excellent work (they did a great job on mine) but that is stunning

ArtCraft did a fantastic job!

Wow looks like a 21st Century J model should look - stunning!! Another beautiful job by @ArtCraft

Link: MooneyMAX 2022 Conference - June 9-12 - complete website, agenda, speakers, registration and more Presenters: Friday, June 10: First full day of Mooney seminars Charles Thomas "Cowboy" Crinnian, M.D. – “After the Crash: Survival Skills” Gary Reeves, 2019 FAA Instructor of the Year - “Foreflight Training for IFR” Parker Woodruff, Airspeed Insurance – “Insurance for Mooneys, What to Expect” Don Maxwell, MSC – “You’re Not Going to Believe This!” Mooney Tales from the Crypt with Photos Kevin Hawley, Mooney International, Chief Engineer – “Mooney TKS System” Carl Sharon, Houston Tank Specialties – “Mooney Fuel Tanks and Corrosion” Teresa Venegas, Pres and CEO, Artcraft Aircraft Paint, CA – “Painting your Mooney” John Heath, FAA ATC – “Tips from the Tower from 30 years” Saturday, June 11: Second full day of Mooney seminars Bob Kromer, Former CEO Mooney Airplane Company – Mooney Spins – Truth and Fiction Jonathan Pollack, CEO, Mooney International Corp – Words from the Factory Thomas Bowen, Chief Engineer, Bye Aerospace Inc - “History and Revival of the Mooney Predator” Paul Maxwell, MSC and Maxwell Avionics – “The future of Mooney Avionics” Jimmy Garrison, President, G-MAX American Aircraft Sales – “Protect the Value of Your Mooney” Gary Reeves, 2019 FAA Instructor of the Year – “Top 10 IFR Mistakes” Mooney Caravan – “What to Expect from the Caravan in 2022” Richard Simile, President, Thunderbird Aircraft Sales – “Aeronautical Decision Making Related to NASA Mission Rules” Evening Wine and Cheese Reception followed by Evening Banquet Evening Keynote Speaker: Gary Reeves, 2019 FAA NATIONAL CFI of the YEAR 2 Days of Right Seat Ready!© - Jolie Lucas and Jan Maxwell, Co-Founders

I just picked up my plane from artcraft in california and they replaced the seals as part of the paint job.

After gorgeous paint jobs from Artcraft (3 different Mooney’s), prior to re-installing fairings, I lined inner edges with clear adhesive tape in order to prevent paint irritation during empennage movement..... success!!

The final product is always excellent at ArtCraft..... my experiences, as well as many, many others have experienced.

I will say, your experience is unfortunately not uncommon at ArtCraft. The prize for all your frustrations [most sad], is you received a great paint job [a very common occurrence at ArtCraft]. Tony and the technicians have extreme talent and pride in their work, and it is always obvious when the airplane rolls out of the hangar for pickup. The other side of the company.................well.............you've expressed it quite well.

I started a new thread so that it’s easily searchable for people looking for info about ArtCraft Paint. The link is here… @kortopates @ilovecornfields @MooneyMitch

I’m a little disappointed in Artcraft. Brenda called me two Mondays ago after it had been two weeks after requesting a quote. She said she would get back to me that Tuesday and now after a week she is ghosting me. Hopefully they are just really busy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks, I’ve reached out to Artcraft. But I will probably reach out to Mathew’s as well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Welcome aboard Manpreet! A good MSer recently got their Ovation painted in Canada…. They have a nice thread written about it… See if you can use the search to find it… Canada is quite large, I don’t recall exactly where that was done… California is not that far away when using a Mooney… search for ArtCraft too… -a-

Two of my hanger neighbors had their planes ( Arrow and Tiger ) painted by Artcraft in the last two weeks. They are very proud and satisfied. About 20 AMU with a few extra stuff like hail repair, wx strip , etc. About 5 weeks away from home. To be honest, they really look nice, like a newly repainted car but you know how repainted cars don't usually look as good as a factory paint? I bet you know what I mean..... Just a novice observation...Why can't 20 AMU look better than new? Good luck Tom

Hey Marc For gear and wheel wells they removed old paint mechanically where needed and painted over the old paint where it was holding well. You right they didn’t do any chemical stripping in delicate areas As for the windshield - i did not plan to replace it with one piece but wanted to ask ArtCraft to reseal it during the painting process. I changed my mind later when I realized that one piece windshield is not a bank breaker compared to a 201 windshield and asked them to replace it for me while they repaint

“Meaning process, procedures, prep work, cowl repair, corrosion treatment and long term durability/quality… seems there are many things besides just final paint that contribute to a quality job. I think prep work and attention to detail (ie removing control surfaces/access panels, etc) are huge. “ I suggest watching the mentioned process videos, which should answer your questions, with respect to Artcraft.