Fly-over state paint shops

[capthaak]

I'm interested in finding out members experiences shopping for paint for their Mooney's. Specifically interested in Midwest shops in the 10-15k range, if there still is such a thing. Not interested in stories more than 3 years old. If you've had your Mooney painted recently, and can recommend the shop, let me know!

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[Alan Fox]

I had a Bonanza painted at Lancaster Aero , Smoketown PA , Shot in Imron , Multi Color scheme , full strip , also magnesium surfaces , South of 15 K , 5 weeks start to finish.....

[thomas1142]

Nice!

[kris_adams]

I don't have a recent experience but I'm in the same boat as you.  I'll be taking ours to Hawk in Tampa.  Byron's (N210EQ) is simply beautiful.  Mine may turn into its twin in 6 months or so.  I understand they are quite a bit less than 15AMU though I haven't called them (and I'm sure it depends on what else they have to repair/improve).

I also talked to Tejas in Texas.  I'm sure they do show-plane quality work, but their initial pricing put them at 24AMU.  I'm not saying their pricing is to high for everyone...it just puts it out of the reasonable range for me.

[TWinter]

Mena Arkansas has several paint shops at the field. I had mine done there..maybe 4 yrs ago. Pricing it fits your budget. Turn around time was 2-3 weeks.

Mena Aircraft Painting

So far, so good.

 

-Tom

[jetdriven]

if you want your airplane sanded with 320 grit and a DA ALL OVER, take it to Mena Aircraft Painting.  It looks great, but the airplane is ruined. it removes all the alclad, and part of many of the rivets And no, Alodine is not "the same damn thing" as Alclad. . When i said no abrasives, clean the metal with Scotch brite by hand only, he wanted 3 grand more, so 15K.

if you want alumigrip with NAPA thinner, solvent pop, die back, overspray, orange peel, buffed wings which shine the rivets to bright aluminum, then retouched with an acid brush all down the wing,  skinny oddly proportions stripes free handed and tape pulling off the plane as they paint it, take it to Cr*der.  Ask to see their paint booth, tip, they dont have one. its plastic sheet that isolates the corner of the hangar.

 

I flew there and spent a grand of my own money checking those places out so you dont have to.

 

My advice, go anywhere else but Arkansas.

 

Edited June 26, 2016 by jetdriven

[jetdriven]

if you want a good paint job that is the same cost as Mena, or less, and is far better, take it to Hawk in Tampa.

[Danb]

Byron like I stated before. One beautiful plane.

[MyNameIsNobody]

Byron:  Thank you.  A new favorite.  Jumped ahead of Toothman and Bennett for my "personal favorite paint".  Well done by you two.  Love it.

[MyNameIsNobody]

MORE photos please.

[jetdriven]

I'm gonna do a full write up on hawk and the entire process but let's say for now I'm happy with the outcome. It took 3 twa

Edited June 27, 2016 by jetdriven

[tony]

Awesome outcome Byron.  I love the checkered effect on the tail.  Colors and details are perfect.  Makes me want to run down there and jump in line.

[Bravoman]

I would without hesitation recommend Hawk in Tampa. I learned to fly at that field, and had a Cherokee 140 painted there in the late 1980s. Their work has always been impeccable.

[lwikle]

Tejas Aero......you get what you pay for   

[TWinter]

23 hours ago, jetdriven said:

if you want your airplane sanded with 320 grit and a DA ALL OVER, take it to Mena Aircraft Painting.  It looks great, but the airplane is ruined. it removes all the alclad, and part of many of the rivets And no, Alodine is not "the same damn thing" as Alclad. . When i said no abrasives, clean the metal with Scotch brite by hand only, he wanted 3 grand more, so 15K.

if you want alumigrip with NAPA thinner, solvent pop, die back, overspray, orange peel, buffed wings which shine the rivets to bright aluminum, then retouched with an acid brush all down the wing,  skinny oddly proportions stripes free handed and tape pulling off the plane as they paint it, take it to Cr*der.  Ask to see their paint booth, tip, they dont have one. its plastic sheet that isolates the corner of the hangar.

 

I flew there and spent a grand of my own money checking those places out so you dont have to.

 

My advice, go anywhere else but Arkansas.

 

It's all good..maybe you were not happy and they were having a bad month or shabby crew at the time. I was just stating I was happy, still am and mine certainly does not look like the photos you are showing. I would have been pissed also. I was only sharing my experience..there are a few other paint shops also located at Mena. Maybe he might have a look. I was referred to Mena by a corporate construction company who keeps their plane at my field and it looked great. To each their own I guess. No big deal, the man just asked for suggestions.

 

-Tom

[jetdriven]

You can't see that it was sanded but I guarantee it was, I saw it myself.  It sickens me they do that to planes and cover it up.  But the paint itself looks excellent.  But you can paint over grease and R looks great for a while too.  

The other place looks like it was painted with spray cans 

Edited June 27, 2016 by jetdriven

[mooniac15u]

Dial Eastern States Aircraft Painting in Cadiz, OH has a good reputation around here. I do not have any personal experience with them. 

http://www.desapi.com/home.html

[chrisk]

I went to Hawk about 3 years ago.  I'm happy with the paint job, often get complements on it, it still looks new, and they were easy to work with.  They would be on the top of my list if I needed another plane painted.

[Loogie]

How about wheel well pics of nice paint jobs...I am concerned of the effort to get the wheel wells painted correctly.  Attention to detail is required for that.  If they do good wheel wells, they will,probably do great with the rest.  Any pics of some "fails" and "success'" wheels wells?

[jrwilson]

Loogie, why are you kissing that fish?  I'm sure it's a very nice fish but, really, there are some limits.... 

[nels]

On June 29, 2016 at 11:25 PM, Loogie said:

How about wheel well pics of nice paint jobs...I am concerned of the effort to get the wheel wells painted correctly.  Attention to detail is required for that.  If they do good wheel wells, they will,probably do great with the rest.  Any pics of some "fails" and "success'" wheels wells?

Very, very true!

[Loogie]

On July 1, 2016 at 0:39 AM, jrwilson said:

Loogie, why are you kissing that fish?  I'm sure it's a very nice fish but, really, there are some limits.... 

Because it ate the fly I offered!  I live to fish!

[fantom]

On Monday, June 27, 2016 at 1:56 PM, lwikle said:

Tejas Aero......you get what you pay for  

Sometimes....but in their case, they charge double for it.

You will not find a better Mooney painting than Hawk. Mine was painted there 6 years ago, after visiting a many shops and talking to many more. Joe at Hawk is the best.

[topsun1]

Hawk Aircraft Painting (Tampa, FL KVDF) without hesitation!  Joe Dinalfo is fabulous. Our 231 has been with Joe for 2 months during the Christmas/New Year period....new paint, windshield and interior (C/O Brian Hoover--Hoover Interiors).  We have monitored all the paint stripping, the fiberglass repairs, refurbishment, painting and interior process bi-weekly. I can't express how well it all has gone.  Joe has always had another 2 or 3 Mooney's in various stages of the painting process each time we came by.  True professionals with attention to the little details.  Both Joe and Brian have gone well above our expectations.  Saw it 95% completed last weekend and WOW!  Can't wait to pick it up this Tuesday after the new interior is complete.  Paint process photos attached.  Last photo was the original 22 year old paint scheme done by the previous owner in Colorado....the ole bird was due for a refresh.

[jetdriven]

On 7/9/2016 at 1:43 PM, fantom said:

Sometimes....but in their case, they charge double for it.

You will not find a better Mooney painting than Hawk. Mine was painted there 6 years ago, after visiting a many shops and talking to many more. Joe at Hawk is the best.

Agreed.  I've visited all these shops and although Tejas is top quality work, it's 5% better than hawk (thinner stripe edges) and it costs twice as much.