Instrument panel cover or paint

[OR75]

I am redoing one of the instrument panel section and would like to keep the same texture or look as the other panels. 

This look like vinyl covered aluminum sheet. 

Does anyone know where to get the black wrinkly leather looking film that is used to cover the aluminum.?

Thanks 

[NotarPilot]

I'm surprised you like that texture. I have the same thing but I think it looks dated. I plan on having a new panel fabricated in the future so I can get rid of the old look. I'm thinking either brushed aluminum, powder coated black, or maybe dark gray. Having said that, have you tried asking some of the panel makers if they can do that texture. I know from my search there's a few out there that will fabricate panel for you. Try Pacific or Gulf Coast Avionics. If they can't do it then perhaps they can steer you in the right direction. If you need more panel manufacturers send me a PM.

[Hank]

There are also places that can texture the panel itself. If you're going with new, you can avoid all of those screws. Not sure of the price, I've not textured anything recently. It depends on the texture you want, the material and to some degree your location. Google "mold tech," they're one of the larger texturing operations.

[OR75]

I don't necessarily like the texture. I don't hate it either. 

What I should have said is that I am redoing only one stack . The right avionics stack to the left of the circuit breakers. 

[Marauder]

I am redoing one of the instrument panel section and would like to keep the same texture or look as the other panels. 

This look like vinyl covered aluminum sheet. 

Does anyone know where to get the black wrinkly leather looking film that is used to cover the aluminum.?

Thanks 

OMG! A guy who thinks like me! I tried to find that stuff for years. I still have it on my left side panel and can't wait to remove it. My shop managed to match it with paint but when I have my left panel redone, it will be gone.

I would just opt for a new painted version. Here is what my left and right (painted) panels look like together. He did a good job of matching it. Hard to tell the left side has that material on it.

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[BDPetersen]

Years ago I redid a Bonanza instrument panel and gave it a laminate overlay (Formica-like). Sounds weird, but I must have gotten the inspiration somewhere. Perhaps there is a similar product that would be similar to what you are trying for. But I think I would prefer plain paint.

[MyNameIsNobody]

Marauder, when I gaze upon your panel I never notice the background.  Black, textured...who cares when you have the utility and eye candy there.  Not me.  I would have them powder coated and be done...Texture smexture....pick a color you like and be done with it.

[bonal]

B26, manufactures have different names for their texture products and I looked yours up and they call that one instruments.

[Piloto]

I replaced a new panel (left of EGT) and painted it with Rust Oleum Textured spray paint from Home Depot. Sitting in front you cannot tell the difference.

José

[Marauder]

Marauder, when I gaze upon your panel I never notice the background.  Black, textured...who cares when you have the utility and eye candy there.  Not me.  I would have them powder coated and be done...Texture smexture....pick a color you like and be done with it.

Here is a close-up of the left side. You can see that vinyl material is peeling off by the turn coordinator. Will have the left side redone when I get around to selecting an ADS-B solution. You've heard of the 10 foot paint job, now you have seen a 3 foot panel job.

>

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[flyboy0681]

I'm in the camp that the vinyl makes the panel look dated - very dated. Has anyone had the vinyl removed and then painted instead of having new aluminum cut? 

[carl]

Carbon looks cool .

What are the FAA rules.

Can we do anything we want . I saw some carbon fiber interior panels once and wondered how do we do that.

[Andy95W]

8 hours ago, flyboy0681 said:

I'm in the camp that the vinyl makes the panel look dated - very dated. Has anyone had the vinyl removed and then painted instead of having new aluminum cut? 

Yes.  I've done exactly that on 2 previous airplanes and will do it again't in a few months on my current M20C.

[Bob_Belville]

I think a lighter colored background is the flavor of this century.

[laytonl]

11 hours ago, Piloto said:

I replaced a new panel (left of EGT) and painted it with Rust Oleum Textured spray paint from Home Depot. Sitting in front you cannot tell the difference.

José

I did this too and it looked fine.  I used a textured spray paint to get the texture and then sprayed the correct color over it.  Lee

[NotarPilot]

5 hours ago, N1395W said:

Yes.  I've done exactly that on 2 previous airplanes and will do it again't in a few months on my current M20C.

Can you describe the process for removing the texture? I want to get a new panel on mine but if I can just remove that texture and powder coat it I'd much rather do that and save money.

[Andy95W]

It really just peels away.  I used a razor blade, mostly, being careful not to gouge the aluminum.

The first one I did dissolved in MEK.  I used a cookie sheet and just poured some on top of the panel and over time it softened and pretty much sloughed off the aluminum.

Since then I've learned that MEK is really bad for the human body, so the second one I used a combination of lacquer thinner (which softened the coating) and the razor blade.

[Bob_Belville]

MEK Methyl Ethyl Ketone is a pretty effective solvent and can be used safely. Methylene Chloride is a stronger paint stripper but is more harmful to breathe.

[Marauder]

MEK Methyl Ethyl Ketone is a pretty effective solvent and can be used safely. Methylene Chloride is a stronger paint stripper but is more harmful to breathe.

And I just bought a gallon of it because I had to! So if you are close, I got ounces to spare.

(No one responded to my RTV-108 thread and decided to follow Bob Field's process for repairing the seal).

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[NotarPilot]

5 hours ago, N1395W said:

It really just peels away.  I used a razor blade, mostly, being careful not to gouge the aluminum.

The first one I did dissolved in MEK.  I used a cookie sheet and just poured some on top of the panel and over time it softened and pretty much sloughed off the aluminum.

Since then I've learned that MEK is really bad for the human body, so the second one I used a combination of lacquer thinner (which softened the coating) and the razor blade.

Did you just have the remaining panel powder coated or painted after you pealed off the top layer? 

[DonMuncy]

55 minutes ago, Marauder said:

And I just bought a gallon of it because I had to! So if you are close, I got ounces to spare.

(No one responded to my RTV-108 thread and decided to follow Bob Field's process for repairing the seal).

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Don't we all have most of a gallon left. At one time, Home Depot and Lowes sold it by the quart, but because of environmental concerns, they will only sell it by the gallon now. I suppose that drives most people to less offensive solvents.

[flyboy0681]

What about the vinyl covered panel which is attached to the circuit breakers, how easy is it to remove it for refinishing?

[Marauder]

What about the vinyl covered panel which is attached to the circuit breakers, how easy is it to remove it for refinishing?

All of the vinyl covers I have seen are glued on. I suspect any good Goo Gone type cleaner will get most of it. I would be worried dragging solvents around the avionics.

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[Andy95W]

5 hours ago, NotarPilot said:

Did you just have the remaining panel powder coated or painted after you pealed off the top layer? 

I've always just used Rustoleum satin or flat paint.  It applies easily, looks good, and the best thing: you can do touch up using a toothpick when it inevitably gets nicked or scratched.  I use a good quality self-etching primer (SEM makes a good product).

daver328 redid his panel with SEM primer and spray paint and it looks great.

[Brandontwalker]

I also have the faux leather panel cover and would love to be able to lighten it up while doing the avionics update.  How big of a job is this?  Is this something that a PP can do per FAR relating to interior refurbishment?