new interior- DIY?

[Amelia]

My beloved bird is getting a little frayed around the edges. At 29 years old, I suppose it's entitled. The Royalite is a bit yellowed, the seats are flattened and  uncomfortable (without that Oregon Aero seat cushion, anyway) and the door seals are history. The carpet, except for being a little, um, cranberry-colored, isn't too bad. The 'experts' within 200 miles of here want a fair piece of change to do the entire interior right. Has anybody ever done the whole job themselves? If so, would you ever consider doing it again? Are the parts going to be almost as expensive as getting a pro to do the whole job? Does it presuppose you know what you're doing?

[GeorgePerry]

I looked hard at doing it myself, but some of the expertise needed is way beyond my abilities. It’s much harder than laying down new carpet.  Lots of details and very time consuming.  Airtex in NJ did my installation and it was very reasonable.  All this is not to say that you couldn’t do it yourself, but after looking as the cost, time, and quality equation, I opted for professional help.    

http://www.mooneyspace.com/index.cfm?mainaction=posts&forumid=1&threadid=55

[KSMooniac]

George, that looks very nice!

I've re-done a few Cessna interiors while I was a college student, which are arguably a bit easier than a Mooney.  That involved removing plastics for repair and paint, recovering seats with pre-stitched covers (like Airtex) and fitting/trimming new carpet.  None of the work was particularly difficult, but it takes time and an eye for detail to make it look right.  I had previously completely restored my old '66 Mustang and had some interior experience with that, and it helped.

Seats and carpets in a Mooney should be pretty easy to either put a new fitted cover on, or take to an upholstery shop if you want some custom work done.  The plastic pieces will be the hardest part, especially if replacing with new.  There is lots of in-and-out and trim-to-fit operations, so it is time consuming.  Getting in a hurry will likely lead to mistakes.  Carpet is also very easy to fit and trim. 

Willmar in Minnesota is just about finished gaining STC approval for some very nice replacement side panels that are made of Kydex, which is much tougher than the plastic and permanently dyed so the color cannot scratch off.  Anyone contemplating new interior should check them out before choosing which way to go for the side pieces. 

[MooneyPilot231]

I did my plastic and will do my carpeting. Seats I will have done. Plastic is time consuming but not beyond most people's ability. Of course having seats recovered is 4 times what it should be but that is "aviation normal".!

[GeorgePerry]

Agree with all comments.  For me it was more a question of time and convenience.  If I were retired, had extra time and wanted a project I most certainly would have done it myself.  But for $7Kish and having my plane back in less than a week and the level of perfection associated with experienced professionals doing the work were big motivators to get it done with Airtex.

OBTW, service after the sale has been outstanding.  One very small item I noticed was fixed immediately at no cost.

 

[Amelia]

Ohhh- That's gorgeous!

[Rustler]

The comments I've read here seem pretty consistent with my experience.  I've re-upholstered a Grumman Cheetah and am now in the process of re-doing my '80 Mooney J.

In the Mooney, I started by removing the plastic myself but taking it to fellow who reupholsters on our field. He has wrapped the plastic with Euro Leather, and it is the single most outstanding part of the job. By doing this, not only do you not have to futz with all the cutting and trimming involved with new plastic, but you get exactly the color you want and a bit of sound conditioning to boot. This included, of course, the arm rests and those horizontal accent pieces that always seem to fall off if not installed properly. We secured the arm rests with bolts, and it really makes for a strong installation. The plastic was re-installed using new stainless screws and finishing (cup) washers, which is a nice touch. Wrapping the plastic was about $800.

I am not going to do the seats myself. If the foam in the existing seats is tired, it is best to have an experienced person rip it all out, then rebuild it. Smells better, too. The best part of that process is that you can have the pilot seat sculpted to your body's exact dimensions and have a lumbar support built in if desired. If you're short, as I am becoming, you can also have an inch added to the pilot seat, which does amazing things for outside vision. Quotes here (HYI) are about $450 per front seat and about $700 for the back.

Carpet is not difficult.

Hope this helps.

 

Michael

 

[TurboExec]

I did everything but the seats on mine....can't run a sewing machine, or didn't want to...haha

I got rid of the plastic panels and went to .050" aluminum with naugahyde covering.  If I do another one I'd stick with the aluminum but go a little thinner as it really doesn't need .050".  It didn't add any weight to my empty wt. and it will last forever.  Carpet is an easy install, take a few measurements and get it to a decent size then you can trim it once it is in, Don't glue it down....there is a possibility you may want to get under it in the future....I used carpet tape it hold real strong.  Pull out the seats and have some one replace the foam and recover.  Either go with new plastics (expensive), or if you want more details on how I did mine let me know.

this is a good read too....

http://shakycoastaviation.com/Aircraft/Upholstery/index.htm

[bgpilot1]

If it wasn't mentioned, check out airtex interions.  Pre fab to your specs...for mooneys.

[GeorgePerry]

Quote: bgpilot1

If it wasn't mentioned, check out airtex interions.  Pre fab to your specs...for mooneys.

[laytonl]

I did a Cherokee several years ago and it was not too difficult.  I did take the seats to a local hot-rod car shop.  Just make sure they order fire-retardant material.  They actually new they needed to do this and had a supplier.

[FlyDave]

I am getting ready to do the interior in my Cherokee so I called a couple of "Aircraft Interior shops".

The first one at KVNY said for 2 different fabrics it would be about 16. I said "WOW, how much for leather?" and he said about 19. I thought, "what a deal". It turns out I was talking in hundreds, he was talking THOUSANDS. I said "thank you" and hung up thinking he was out of his mind.

I called another "Aircraft Interior Shop" at KCNO. This guy said about 12. Once again, I was thinking hundreds, he was talking thousands.

I know I live in California, and things are generally a bit higher here, but these guys are REDICULOUS!!

So I called the auto uphostery shop that a couple of people at my airport mentioned and told him I wanted the PMA approved material. He said for the seats and side panels it would be 750.......DOLLARS. No Multiplier, No heart attack, no desire to slap the sh_t out of someone on the other end of the phone. These guys are recomended by a number of people and they will get my business. I have to take the seats and side panels out and re-install them after the shop does the upholstery work but for $11,250 I'll do it :<)

Geeze, $12K - the damm airplane is barely worth $20K

[GeorgePerry]

http://www.airtexinteriors.com/index.htm

My interior was $7k and worth every penny.  It included much more than new seat covers. (door seals, polished door jams, refurbished seat frames, plastic repair or replacement, premium foam and fabric materials, sound proofing etc).  Off the shelf Interior "kits" don't provide detailed improvements such as this.  I would not hesitate to go back and have recommended Dodd's shop to friends.  They have also been happy with the service. 

Sure...I could have saved some money by doing all this myself, but the time effort and hassles didn't outwiegh the benefits of having it done professionally.  The result was a "better than new" interior that was purchased for what I believe was a reasonable price given the materials and labor involved.  Unquestionably better end result than I could have done on my own in my hanger.

[Amelia]

Oh, wow!!!  I want one like that!

[N207LS]

I have not re-done an interior myself, but last year bought a trainer for my wife (Beech Sport) that the former owner had re-done himself in 2007.  The interior was beautiful.  He bought all of the material from Miami  Fabric and then did the burn tests.   He told me his total cost was $2000 including having the seats redone at a local auto interior shop.  He removed all of the plastic and re-painted it with Krylon plastic paint (from wal-mart) and it looked like new.  The fabric was an auto fabric in a gray houndstooth color and texture.  The carpet was an auto carpet in a medium gray.  The bottom line was that the interior looked like a true professional redo at a fraction of the cost (I had several people aske me if it was an Airtex fabric redo).  Total cost was 2k plus a lot of sweat equity.  He convinced me to go this route with my interior redo on my Mooney.  I am planning it for next year and will repaint the plastic with Krylon Plastic Paint, and buy the leather and carpet from Miami Fabric (then do the burn tests, etc.).  I hope to do my G model under $4,000 with their top grade leather.   I think it all comes down to whether you want to take on the project yourself or just pay to have it done. 

[Chris White ex-N205KD]

As a reference, I got an email a while back for a Factory refurb for older interiors.  They won't redo it in composite like the new birds, but will recover your Royalite in ultraleather, recover and foam your seats, redo your carpet, headliner, hat rack, and glareshield for (what they say is) cost.  If you did everything they offer, it is around $10k.  Price list for individual items and contact info below. 

Recover Royalite

$3,326.00

or

Recover Fiberglass Panels

$2,553.60

Recover Kick Panel

$1,008.00

Recover Glare shield

$873.00

Replace Headliner

$847.00

Cover Yokes

$445.00

Hat rack Backing

$285.00

Replace Carpet

$1,365.00

Recover Seats

$3,000.00

Contact info:

Ronnie Kallies

Sales and Customer Service Manager

Factory Service Center

______________________

Mooney Airplane Company

165 Al Mooney Road N., Kerrville, TX 78028

Office - 830-792-2935

Work Cell - 830-285-0621

Fax - 830-792-2054

[The-sky-captain]

I am going to bite the bullet and begin dying my royalite this weekend. I had my entire interior done, with the exception of the plastic, when I bought the plane and it has been dogging me ever since!

[The-sky-captain]

Well, the plastic is out and painted. The process has been much easier than I anticipated and the results are sweeter than expected. I was happy to find the newer style of soundproofing and rust free tubes behind the panels too. These Mooneys are built like tanks!

[Cruiser]

let's see it. Pictures please.

[The-sky-captain]

I'll get some pictures up soon. I'm going to start putting the plastic back in tomorrow and I have a feeling it is going to be a little more difficult than it was coming out. Well worth the effort IMO though.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Why does the PDF online say something in the $18,000 range?

Quote: mooney205kd

As a reference, I got an email a while back for a Factory refurb for older interiors.  They won't redo it in composite like the new birds, but will recover your Royalite in ultraleather, recover and foam your seats, redo your carpet, headliner, hat rack, and glareshield for (what they say is) cost.  If you did everything they offer, it is around $10k.  Price list for individual items and contact info below. 

[MooneyMitch]

Here is some information regarding my wife's E model interior refurbishment, which I performed.  Removed complete interior parts.  Repaired all cracked/broken plastic panels with fiberglass backing and painted all with off the shelf spray can paint.  Purchased all new material from Airtex.  Fabricated new baggage compartment and cockpit side panels from Airtex board.  Seats and panels covered by local auto upholstery shop [new Comfor Foam installed].  Carpet custom cut and all interior parts installed using new SS interior screws/washers. 

The final product is most gratifying if you have the time and inclination to DIY.  See Photo Gallery.  She gave me a 10 for the interior, and held up 9 digits for her recent landing!  If I can provide any further information or help, please ask.

[Carl S]

Quote: Mitch

Here is some information regarding my wife's E model interior refurbishment, which I performed.  ... 

The final product is most gratifying if you have the time and inclination to DIY.  ...

[Chris White ex-N205KD]

Quote: Parker_Woodruff

[LFOD]

Does anyone know what the weight penalty is for the new interior from the factory compared to a 1984 M20J?