Interior Refurbishment Resource Thread

[Marauder]

I will be updating my CiES Resource Thread after this weekend to include more details of the work Terry and I are doing on installing the CiES senders.

 

This thread is intended to help those who have the intent on returning their Mooney to its former interior glory. I have contemplated doing the interior a few times over the past decade but was either was told or saw firsthand that my interior wasn't in that bad of shape. I kept convincing myself that the aging I saw was minor (sort of like the same justification I do when looking in the mirror in the morning).

 

After pulling the interior for the CiES installation and to deal with a coax/antenna issue, I came to the conclusion that the old plastic was not in very good shape and also wasn't even the same color it started out with. It was also cracking as I was removing it. I also noted that although SB 208 was completed, the original fiberglass is still in the baggage area. The rug covered side panels, were cracked and showed some evidence of fuel exposure (due to all those years of leaky fuel senders being fixed).

 

I have been communicating with 3 shops on their approach to refurbishing the interior components. I know Bruce Jaegar likes to repair the upper plastics and put new lower panels including rugs on the plane. Air Mods can either do covering of the plastic or will buy new plastic directly from Mooney. The third shops is more a fix it if you can or wrapped it if you can't.

 

I have not decided which route to take and would be interested in hearing what others have done.

 

 

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[MIm20c]

I planned on sourcing the parts myself and having a local upholstery shop recover the seats with leather and make new side panels. Planning on using DLT for the automotive rated materials. Put my refurb on hold because the weather is too nice to take the plane down and I'd rather be working on my instrument ticket. 

Edited August 31, 2017 by MIm20c

[Vance Harral]

Here are a few notes on the interior panels, from when we refurbished our interior (which has been almost 10 years ago at this point, hard to believe).  Ours was a "poor man, DIY" refurbishment, not a professional job.  Listing out items of interest, Anthony-style:

1. Removal and re-installation of the interior plastic panels is best done in mild or warm weather, or in a heated hangar.  The work requires a fair amount of flexing on certain panels, and if you do this when it's cold, you're likely to cause additional cracking.
2. It's not necessary to completely remove the back seat to get the rear side panels out.  Just unbolt the seat back at the top, where it bolts in to the steel frame, then fold the seat back forward, and slide the hole in the panel over the flange that receives the bolt.
3. In our vintage of Mooney (1976 M20F), the overhead vent directors and top panels are blocked from removal by the knobs that open and close the vents.  These knobs are held on with set screws, but the screw is behind (above) the vent mechanism.  You need a bent wrench or angle driver to get to the screw, and you'll have to gently pry on the panels slightly to get to the screw.
4. Also related to the overhead panels: when you finally get them loose, remember there are typically electrical connections up there (overhead light and sonalerts).  There may not be much slack in the wiring, so be careful not to pull wires loose when the overhead panels drop.
5. After removal, cracks in the panels can be repaired with fiberglass patches on the back side of the panel.  With patience, some careful sanding, and paint, it's difficult to tell there was ever a crack in the first place.  But it's critically important to roughen up the surface where you're applying the fiberglass patch.  Otherwise the epoxy resin doesn't bond to the plastic, and the repair tends to "pop off" with the slightest amount of flex.
6. Bends and ripples in the panels can be straightened by softening the material with a heat gun, then using vices and clamps to press and hold the material straight until it cools.  Be careful, as there's a fairly thin margin between warm enough to re-form the panel and hot enough to melt the plastic.  This procedure is particularly helpful to flatten out the divots that form over time where screws go through the panel.
7. Based on various online recommendations, I initially tried high-end "Colorbond" plastic paint by Bryndana to paint the panels.  I had a very negative experience, both with the paint itself and with customer service.  I wound up using plain old Krylon "Paint for Plastic" from the PMA section of Wal-Mart instead, and it's held up well for a long time.
8. It turns out the rubber edging sold in home & garden stores to cap steel landscaping strips makes a great replacement for the protective strip that goes around the edges of the panels that fit against the windows.
9. If you really want the screws that hold the panels to tighten up, consider using a tool to flare the metal flanges that receive the screw (to give more purchase for the threads), then tap and drive a one-size-larger-than-OEM screw.
10. If your airplane has a Brittain autopilot with vacuum servos, note where the vacuum lines run along the left side of the interior, and be careful not to drive screws through the lines when reinstalling panels.
11. Much of the above can be avoided by simply buying new panels from Plane Plastics, but note that some fitting and trimming is typically required (remember these are hand-build airplanes).

Edited August 31, 2017 by Vance Harral

[Bob_Belville]

2 hours ago, MIm20c said:

I planned on sourcing the parts myself and having a local upholstery shop recover the seats with leather and make new side panels. Planning on using DLT for the automotive rated materials. Put my refurb on hold because the weather is too nice to take the plane down and I'd rather be working on my instrument ticket. 

I redid the interior 5 years ago using an auto trim shop. Two hides provided more than enough leather for the seats, the side walls, the rear seat kick panel, and the baggage wall panels. That shop cut and bond the carpet. I had an auto body shop repair and paint the plastic parts. 

The leather, carpet and headliner material has held up fine and looks good. The plastic parts never fit the windshield because the plane  was upgraded with a 201 windshield. I am looking for a solution. 

 

[ArtVandelay]

I had the headliner covered in leather, new carpet, some of the other plastic panels repaired, ashtrays removed, painted, seat redone...for less than 8 AMUs...very happy with it.

[Danb]

On my J I sprayed the plastic, got the carpet from airtex and had them do the seats in leather. 

[Andy95W]

In the upcoming year, I'll be redoing my interior using Airtex for the seats and carpet and Bruce's Spatial Interior for the sidewalls.  My wife and I will be heading out to Willmar to talk to Bruce in early October.  He kept talking about refurbing the window frames, but I'm better at covering window frames in fabric than that, so I'll be using the same material as my headliner (pre-1965 had an actual, old fashioned headliner.)

When I did the interior on my Aztec a few years ago, I went whole-hog with custom seats done by a local upholsterer, custom sidewalls that I did myself, and custom carpet that I designed and did myself.  

The Airtex is about the same price, looks 90% as good, and will take 1/4th the time.

[aviatoreb]

26 minutes ago, Andy95W said:

In the upcoming year, I'll be redoing my interior using Airtex for the seats and carpet and Bruce's Spatial Interior for the sidewalks.  My wife and I will be heading out to Willmar to talk to Bruce in early October.  He kept talking about refurbing the window frames, but I'm better at covering window frames in fabric than that, so I'll be using the same material as my headliner (pre-1965 had an actual, old fashioned headliner.)

When I did the interior on my Aztec a few years ago, I went whole-hog with custom seats done by a local upholsterer, custom sidewalls that I did myself, and custom carpet that I designed and did myself.  

The Airtex is about the same price, looks 90% as good, and will take 1/4th the time.

I had Bruce do my interior with "Bruce's Spatial Interior" when my plane was at Wilmar for weepnomore tank seal last year.  I really really like it.  I also had the nearby leather shop do the furniture and it turned out fantastic.  They are SCS in Duluth, and Bruce already has a good relationship with them, and they have good experience with Mooney.  SCS also does a lot of custom OEM work for Cirrus since they are in Duluth.  Also they did my rugs.

[MIm20c]

6 minutes ago, aviatoreb said:

I had Bruce do my interior with "Bruce's Spatial Interior" when my plane was at Wilmar for weepnomore tank seal last year.  I really really like it.  I also had the nearby leather shop do the furniture and it turned out fantastic.  They are SCS in Duluth, and Bruce already has a good relationship with them, and they have good experience with Mooney.  SCS also does a lot of custom OEM work for Cirrus since they are in Duluth.  Also they did my rugs.

Could you post a couple pictures and a ballpark price (pm is fine)?

[LANCECASPER]

Hector at Aero Comfort repairs and covers the panels - they look much better than new ones. They don't weigh much, many people have pulled them, shipped them and been thrilled when they got them back. Don't hold him to the 2014 price list attached but it can't be too terribly much more.         Aero Comfort PriceList (1-2-14).pdf

 

[Danb]

That's gorgeous Lance 

[aviatoreb]

12 hours ago, MIm20c said:

Could you post a couple pictures and a ballpark price (pm is fine)?

Hey, sure, I will dig up the cost, but I forgot what it was!  I have it somewhere in receipts - its in 3 separate sets of receipts since having it done in Wilmar during tank reseal, some of the cost was paid to Bruce, but then Bruce left for his winter-snowbird activities in Florida so the weepnomore guys handled some of the install, so some of it is on their bills for install costs, even though Bruce did most of it, and then I paid SCS directly for their work on the seats, plus the rugs.  I can't remember but it was inline and very reasonable compared to other complete interior jobs I have seen quoted.  Certainly not more, and relatively less, by maybe a little bit?  I don't know.  I will pm you when I look it up, but I am feeling it is not right to publish such things publicly since I feel its the right of each of these businesses to set their own current prices.

-I really wanted Bruce's system because I am very tall, 6'4'' and long limbed at that, so as advertised I can confirm that his system does open up the space a little bit and I really do notice it.

-The seats I had several upcharge adjustments made that I am very happy I did.  Most notably I had the base lengthened with a longer piece of foam, and this then lets my legs be supported along more of my longer femur, since otherwise I used to feel like i was perched on the end of tiny little cushion using my legs to keep myself from falling forward.  This really leaves me a bit more relaxed actually just sitting on the seat with no muscle power needed.  This was my idea - and I asked them "if they could do such a thing".  I HIGHLY recommend to tall people - 2.5'' makes a world of difference.

-I also did upcharge for perforated leather, which they don't specifically tell you they offer, but when asked, no problem.

-In these pictures, you see my old yokes, but they are leather covered now.

-My airplane is still in paint, so I will post that "soon".

[steingar]

Airmod did the interior of my old Cherokee.  After 10 years and 700 hours...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

...it looked brand new.  They did SUCH a nice job.

[MIm20c]

@aviatoreb those seats look amazing!  Thanks for the pictures. 

For the DIY'er what kind of foam are you using?  I felt some at Oshkosh, I'll have to look up the company info. 

[aviatoreb]

39 minutes ago, MIm20c said:

@aviatoreb those seats look amazing!  Thanks for the pictures. 

For the DIY'er what kind of foam are you using?  I felt some at Oshkosh, I'll have to look up the company info. 

Thanks!

I don't know much about the foam.  I remember discussing foam with them about a year ago, and they described a recipe of multiple foam densities in various parts, leaning a bit toward firm according to my taste, but I forget the details. I am a bit the opposite of a DIY'er I guess.  Have credit card, will travel.

[KSMooniac]

Great idea lengthening the base! I'm gonna steal that, as I have long arms and legs as well, but only 6'1". One of the features of my BMW sport seats is the extendable thigh bolster...it helps tremendously.

Your seats look great. I'm anxious to see the paint soon.

Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk

[peevee]

2 hours ago, aviatoreb said:

Hey, sure, I will dig up the cost, but I forgot what it was!  I have it somewhere in receipts - its in 3 separate sets of receipts since having it done in Wilmar during tank reseal, some of the cost was paid to Bruce, but then Bruce left for his winter-snowbird activities in Florida so the weepnomore guys handled some of the install, so some of it is on their bills for install costs, even though Bruce did most of it, and then I paid SCS directly for their work on the seats, plus the rugs.  I can't remember but it was inline and very reasonable compared to other complete interior jobs I have seen quoted.  Certainly not more, and relatively less, by maybe a little bit?  I don't know.  I will pm you when I look it up, but I am feeling it is not right to publish such things publicly since I feel its the right of each of these businesses to set their own current prices.

-I really wanted Bruce's system because I am very tall, 6'4'' and long limbed at that, so as advertised I can confirm that his system does open up the space a little bit and I really do notice it.

-The seats I had several upcharge adjustments made that I am very happy I did.  Most notably I had the base lengthened with a longer piece of foam, and this then lets my legs be supported along more of my longer femur, since otherwise I used to feel like i was perched on the end of tiny little cushion using my legs to keep myself from falling forward.  This really leaves me a bit more relaxed actually just sitting on the seat with no muscle power needed.  This was my idea - and I asked them "if they could do such a thing".  I HIGHLY recommend to tall people - 2.5'' makes a world of difference.

-I also did upcharge for perforated leather, which they don't specifically tell you they offer, but when asked, no problem.

-In these pictures, you see my old yokes, but they are leather covered now.

-My airplane is still in paint, so I will post that "soon".

you just have to taunt me with the G-D prop, don't you?

With fresh paint, that interior, tks, and that prop it might be the nicest rocket in existence.

[Jim F]

aviatoreb,

That interior is amazing!!

What are the pros and cons of perforated leather?

Jim F

[aviatoreb]

23 minutes ago, KSMooniac said:

Great idea lengthening the base! I'm gonna steal that, as I have long arms and legs as well, but only 6'1". One of the features of my BMW sport seats is the extendable thigh bolster...it helps tremendously.

Your seats look great. I'm anxious to see the paint soon.

Sent from my LG-US996 using Tapatalk
 

Thanks!  Yeah I had the idea already but then I was in Bennett's car in San Fransisco talking about how I wish I could make the seats longer...and his car is a BMW, and voila he extended the seats and I loooooved it.  So then the idea was cemented.  Thank you Bennett!

Oh my gosh - I can't wait to see the paint job too!!!  Its late...  not the shops fault but there is construction going on at the airfield right in front of the paint hangar right now.  Argh!  I have seem sample pictures in progress, and I have a sample plate they sent of the paint I chose...and ... I can't wait!  I'll post pictures as soon as I get it back!  Hopefully within 2 weeks?

Edited September 1, 2017 by aviatoreb

[aviatoreb]

14 minutes ago, peevee said:

you just have to taunt me with the G-D prop, don't you?

With fresh paint, that interior, tks, and that prop it might be the nicest rocket in existence.

You bet!  If you got four blades, the gotta flaunt it.  :-)

There are two more things I want to do before I call this airplane update complete.  The airframe will be complete of course.  I still want electronic ignition but what I want does not exist yet. I like emags - so eventually I think they will certify and I will get that!

Plus - I have been waiting for several years holding off on an aspen or G500 anticipating that eventually the experimental stuff would come.  I was saying for years I want G3x or dynon skyview - It is almost here!  I will likely do some kind of avionics upgrade, digital autopilot and some kind of electronic flight display.  I bet within 9 months I will get to choose, as will we all.

Darn I want airbag seatbelts....but those guys seem uninterested in selling me their stuff - no stc.

[aviatoreb]

8 minutes ago, Jim F said:

aviatoreb,

That interior is amazing!!

What are the pros and cons of perforated leather?

Jim F

Simple - it breathes better.  You are less likely to get a sweaty back and get sticky to the leather.

[xcrmckenna]

Hector at Aero Comfort repairs and covers the panels - they look much better than new ones. They don't weigh much, many people have pulled them, shipped them and been thrilled when they got them back. Don't hold him to the 2014 price list attached but it can't be too terribly much more.         Aero Comfort PriceList (1-2-14).pdf
 

I totally agree with Lance. My plane had Hectors loving touch done to it in 2013 and full leather covering on the panels and headliner. The stitching still looks like it was done yesterday. And another note when I just had my interior out my cargo bay had the insulation in it as well. But around the cage was all new foam type. I took the old insulation out and will replace it with the new stuff.


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[carusoam]

Plenty to read on the Seat Foam topic....

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?&q=Seat foam&item=23719&sortby=relevancy

The four blade composite prop is really cool...

Expect @M20Doc to be lining up a five blader..... 

Best regards,

-a-

[aviatoreb]

1 hour ago, carusoam said:

Plenty to read on the Seat Foam topic....

https://mooneyspace.com/search/?&q=Seat foam&item=23719&sortby=relevancy

The four blade composite prop is really cool...

Expect @M20Doc to be lining up a five blader..... 

Best regards,

-a-

You know, in the limit, as n->infinity, an n-blade propellor limits to a solid circle.

How well do you think my airplane will climb with a solid circle on the nose?

[carusoam]

As n approaches infinity... can be simulated nicely using a turbine... lots o blades...

affordability being a function of time... I would need a very long term to make it affordable.  

Best regards,

-a-