Getting rid of the ashtray, redoing parts of the interior

[Houman]

I have searched the forums and I'm trying to put together a list of companies that can fabricate interior side panels and roofing for my M20K to get pricing from.

 

One of my main projects for my plane in 2015 is hopefully to redo the interior sidewalls and roofing, I can still live with the seats and carpets, although they are in mint 1979 condition (ya right), but the sidewalls with the ashtray is just ugly and the plastic roofing and sidewalls have some cracks in it.

 

My co-owner and I are not do it yourself kind of guys, at best I can help a mechanic with the installation work, but then again, I have to takeoff from work.

 

So I'm looking for reputable businesses to buy pre-made to measure sidewalls and roofing and have them ship to my mechanic in an almost turnkey solution type. I don't mind a bit of fitting, but the certification process should be easy, not looking for a home made stuff and then fight with Transport Canada on getting it approved...

 

Here are the companies I have found trough search here and Google, for those who have had dealings with these companies, which ones would you recommend or advise to stay away from, any informed opinion is appreciated, if I missed any other companies, please tell me.

 

AeroComfort : Seems very nice on their websites and pictures, a bit pricey.

 

JaegerAviation : seems nice as well, not sure of the quality and how much work to install.

 

Airtex Interiors : Looks like more of a DIY kind of job, is that so ?

 

MooneyMart : Not sure how professional the workmanship is, don't know much about them.

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated...

 

Thanks !

[RobertGary1]

Its less work than I think you are envisioning. If you're just replacing pre-fab'd panels they're just screwed in. You'll hit a few snags, but bring a case of beer and you and your partner can bond over it. 

 

BTW: As the FAA Inspctor pointed out to me, if you remove the ash tray the plane was certified with you need to log its removal and "negligible W&B" change in the airframe log.

 

-Robert

[Hank]

I replaced the ashtray with an ash light from Spruce. Works great!

Check with Plane Plastics, too, for interior parts.

[Houman]

I check on Plane Plastics site, the only thing I see is for the J model, nothing else in Mooney, I will give them a call...

[manu damaschin]

I am very interested in this topic too..

[manu damaschin]

I had an email with Plane Plastics and they said that they have M20K imterior as well...but I dont't know nothing about their quality.

[moodychief]

I saw one airplane where they had USB ports fabricated into the ashtray.

[FBCK]

I talked to Plane Plastics a couple (maybe 4 years) of years ago about an interior for K, the lady I talked to indicated they dont cover the K model but I dont think she had a clue. The website actually lists k parts. I believe the J interior is also the same size as the K interior as well, but I have no idea if the part would work. I dont know anybody that has used them but Aviation Consumer  did a report on suppliers of plastic ans fiber gas parts last year. There is also a gent here who had a honeycome interior built for his J (Bennet I think), and it looks great.

[Bennett]

If you really want to go high end custom, consider Aircraftdesigns.com at Pine Mountain Lake, Groveland, CA.  He (Tim) did use aircraft honeycomb for my side panels, but I don't think he does so now because of the expense (around $1,000 per 4'x8' panel). Great stiff, lightweight, material. Since he does so much custom work, you could talk to him to see what he is recommending at this point. Tim is a really talented aviation upholsterer. You may have seen his booths at AOPA, Oshkosh, Flying Expos, etc. Not inexpensive, but for truly custom work, the quality of his work is hard to beat. He builds an armrest that just about touches the outside skin of the airplane, and that gains quite a bit of elbow room (no ash tray)  He has a large hangar at Pine Mountain Lake airport to house his operation.  His phone number is:  209-962-0415

[John Pleisse]

I had exceptional experiences with Airtex. If any ashtrays are located in the side or door panels (not speaking of seat back), have an avionics guy install new headset jack insets. That would look real nice.

[aviatoreb]

On pilot side I replaced the panel since it was cracking too much to bother with - and so that got ride of the ashtray.  plane plastics.  Good stuff.

 

On copilot side, I still have the ashtray and initially I hated it - but now its where I put my dead AA batteries from my ANR headset.

 

Rustoleum Satin spray paint Almond is a superb match to the OEM plastic color in a Mooney, so if you have some interior pieces that are simply dirty or discolored but otherwise still good and you want to freshen up their look - maybe try that stuff.  Its better than you might guess - and sure is a quick and easy solution.

 

This is no where in the league of Bennett's over-the-top gorgeous interior.  His is nicer than when it was new by a lot.  But what I am suggesting brings it back close to what it was when the panels were new.

[carusoam]

Airtex and plane plastics are nice when your budget is a strong force in the decision making process.

They supplied parts for my C's interior. Nicer than new in 1965.

Real budget interior improvements can be done by repairing cracked panels and painting the surfaces. I have seen some nice work done by some Mooney pilots...

If I was on my last plane and still had $. Jaeger and Aerocomfort would be on my short list....

Best regards,

-a-

[flyboy0681]

Can some of you do-it-yourselfer's post some pictures here of your handiwork along with where you purchased the materials from?

[Dale Logsdon]

 The J & K interior plastic parts are the same. Plane Plastics has the plastic side panels and the plastic overhead panels. 

[Av8]

I'm about 80% through repariing/painting plastic, new carpet & seat coverings, replacing insulation.  

 

This is 3rd interior in this bird, I've uncovered some "sins of the past" and other things that it's good to know, and clean up.  The project has been a great way to get to know the airframe and have confidence in it.

 

$4k all in from Airtex Interiors for leather seating surfaces, carpet, carpet side panels, carpet piece for hat rack space and insulation.  The folks there have been really helpful - I've e-mailed pictures before buying, and when encountering problems to great assistance.  

 

I would suggest it's not so much "handy" as patient to do the work.  Lots of time spent using citrus based stripper to get the old glue/material off of the surface, use an alcohol prep to ensure clean surface before painting, and be very careful - I cracked one piece (curved piece top of hat rack) re-installing it.

 

The polyfix Cyanoacrylate repair kit works really well - again patience is key.  read the directions many times & when I worked patiently it welded cracks, and could be sanded to be nearly unrecognizable... for more than a few spots I got "good enough" and moved on.

 

Also installed shoulder harnesses  as my 78 J did not have them at purchase

 

I purchased a plastics repair kit from 'Spruce and the chemical bond to repair plastic cracks has worked quite well - though I've definitely done an amateur job.  

 

Cost to replace the plastic looked prohibitive so doing best to reinforce with fiberglass mat, duct tape etc. on the back, and SEM paint to refresh the look.

 

Below is a link to photos and a few videos of the work - sorted by timestamp - feel free to PM me with any questions.  Will continue to add pics as I finish the project.

 

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n25s3u62ztkvy81/AADflO4Zh6jYScdclZfKWHoXa?dl=0

 

Just received the seat coverings today - also need "insert" pieces, those have not shipped yet.

 

Plane going into the avionics shop tomorrow to add GTN 650 (GI-106), JPI 900, GMA 350, GTX 33 ES transponder.  Expecting 2-3 weeks in avionics shop.

 

Existing 430W will become Nav/Com2.  

[Houman]

I'm about 80% through repariing/painting plastic, new carpet & seat coverings, replacing insulation.  

 

$4k all in from Airtex Interiors for leather seating surfaces, carpet, carpet side panels, carpet piece for hat rack space and insulation.  The folks there have been really helpful - I've e-mailed pictures before buying, and when encountering problems to great assistance.  

 

I would suggest it's not so much "handy" as patient to do the work.  I need to get gallery pictures posted so you can see all of the work.  

 

Also installed shoulder harnesses  as my 78 J did not have them at purchase

 

I purchased a plastics repair kit from 'Spruce and the chemical bond to repair plastic cracks has worked quite well - though I've definitely done an amateur job.  

 

Cost to replace the plastic looked prohibitive so doing best to reinforce with fiberglass mat, duct tape etc. on the back, and SEM paint to refresh the look.

Wow, I would really like to see those pictues, as I understand following my email conversation with Airtex, they only provide carpeting, not replacement plastic side walls or headliners, right ???

[Bob_Belville]

I removed and installed the entire interior of my E. I spent $2500 with a quality custom auto trim shop for leather seats and trim, new headliner, new carpet. Repair and repainting (3 colors matching exterior trim) of the Royalite plastics parts added $500 done by an auto body shop.  Flame spread testing of the leather, headliner, and carpet materials was $135.

 

Not fancy detailing, no embroidery, but I am very happy with the difference. 

 

Total $3150. plus my time. (My A&P signed off on my work.)

[Av8]

Airtex does not do plastic - I did repairs on cracks and reinforce some places throughout. The SEM paint went on well and refreshed the look

Were you able to see picks from link to Dropbox?

[carusoam]

Drop box pics and video worked!

Nice winter project.

Best regards,

-a-

[Tommy]

Just very quick question:

 

How did you remove the ashtray?

 

I am hoping to replace it with a night LED light

 

Thanks

[Bob_Belville]

I replaced front seat ashtrays with snap in direct replacement lights:

http://www.aircraftspruce.com/search/search.php?s=ASHTRAY+LIGHTS&x=0&y=0

 

In the back seat the avionics shop used the ashtray holes for headset jacks.

[Tommy]

I couldn't work out a way to remove the ashtray cover to replace it with snap in light...

[Bob_Belville]

With the Aircraft Spruce units you leave the ashtray body in. Just push down on the tab and take out the insert and snap the light in the old frame. But at least on the E, after you take out the insert you can get to the screws that hold in the body. I polished up the chrome rims.

[Houman]

Yeah but the position of the ashtray on the armrest of the sidewalls, dos'nt it shine in your eyes when you turn it on ?

[Hank]

I don't have any problems with the light in my eyes. If you do, a little tape [silver metal tape looks best, but masking or duct tape will work] can be applied as a shield, adjusted to fit, replaced when necessary or even used as a template for a small piece of aluminum to wrap down behind it.

 

It's great for looking at approach plates, taking/reading notes, etc. During long cruise portions, I turn it off. It's also great for running those pre-cranking checklists.