Mooney Interior Redo

[rainman]

Thanks again guys/gals.  Based on your posts and a fantastic Rocket interior I just saw, I've scheduled a visit with Aero-Comfort today at their office. I live near San Antonio, and Hector will come to my hangar to do the teardown/install. I guess it's true that sometimes the best tool in the toolbox is a checkbook!

[Txbyker]

Just picked up my Mooney today from annual and interior replacement and put pics in the folder.  Maxwell for annual and he tore out and reinstalled refurbished interior from Aero-Comfort.  Another positive of having someone like Maxwell do it is to inspect the frame and insulation.  With the panels out he fixed the interior wing fuel seepage points that give you that nice smell when topped off. Not that Aero-Comfort does not do a top notch job.  Just fyi.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Looks great! How are you liking the GTN650?

Had Maxwell do the same thing with my M20J.  My Mooney is sitting at his shop right now as well.

[Txbyker]

Hey Parker, you know I thought that plane I saw in the hangar looked familiar for some reason. Are you having the interior redone?  I know you had a prior Mooney done with Maxwell/AeroComfort from previous post.  When I had mine done by AeroComfort a couple of weeks ago he said he was quite busy and new bookings would be delayed for a while.  Just fyi.

The GN650 works great.  I've have had it about 2 months and working it is a beeze.  Coupled to the yoke mount 496 too so flight plan shows up there too and it has weather.

 

[Chessieretriever]

Hector and his team did the interior on our Rocket 351. The craftsmanship is first class, the schedule was perfect in spite of us getting delayed with fuel tank re-seal work and the business end was professional. From experience I can recomend Aero Comfort without reservations. I am sure that there may be other great service companies out there doing interiors for aircraft (including Mooneys) but I would rate Aerocomfort in the top 1% and will use them for our next aircraft upgrade again. Good luck on your upgrade.

[Parker_Woodruff]

Russ - it's at Maxwell's getting an Encore conversion - 220 hp and max weight increase of 230 lbs.  Negotiating a house in Florida means no major upgrades to interior and avionics for another year or two. Also instead of free tiedowns and cheap hangars in Texas, it looks like $250+/mo for a hangar out here, so that puts a dent in the upgrade budget.

[rainman]

TXBYKER, I just saw the photos you posted of your new interior. Very Nice!!. I visited Aero-Comfort a week ago and selected similar colors.  Hector talked me into the dark yolk covers as well.  I have a newish windshield and will have the side glass replaced while the interior is out.  Thanks to everyone for all of the advice and guidance, it really helped.

 

[Txbyker]

Good job Rainmain.  Can't wait to see it when done.

[Amelia]

Put me down as another supremely happy AeroComfort customer. Hector found me gorgeous two-tone leftover leather for my interior at an excellent price, the workmanship was exquisite, and several years later, it's still perfectly lovely. I smile every time I climb in it.

[jelswick]

No knock at AeroComfort as they did my yoke covering impeccably and I've seen nothing but great examples of their work on other people's interiors.  I do think as an option for people that might not live in that area that there are others that can do great work.  My favorite is Air Mod (www.airmod.com) in Batavia, Ohio, same field as Sporty's.  With that said, I haven't used them because they are very pricey and couldn't justify the price difference, but we sold three aircraft that had their interior work and it's instantly recognizable as theirs the minute you open the cabin door.  Their fabric interiors actually outshine most leather interiors I've seen.  I've not seen Mooney's with their interiors although they have samples on their site, but I think they have the richest looking interiors of any I've seen for those where money isn't as much a consideration or if I ever hit a mini lottery!

[orangemtl]

Both perspectives seem right---the central deciding factor is the perceived cost of your own time, and frankly if you have the necessary skills. 

In our household, we have two types of tasks/household chores: "Do It Yourself", and "Pay The Man".  Sometimes, "Pay The Man" is the better route.

[Flynnupe]

Im also looking at redoing the interior of my Mooney. Ive purchased all of the plastic pieces that wont make the redo, are there any other ideas as to the supplies ie.. paint etc that I might need in order to make this job somewhat easier. Im going to redo the seats next summer..

[jetdriven]

You can repair the plastic bits with ABS cement and thin ABS sheet, like .040. For bigger cracks or structural panels embed some fiberglass cloth in it.   You can totaly rebuild it that way. Paint it with Aerospace color coat from SEM. 

[rainman]

Guys, I started this thread with some questions about redoing the interior of my 1979 231.  In the end I gutted the interior and had new insulation, new windows, yoke and glareshield covering, and a complete new interior done.  Aero-Comfort did a great job and gave super customer service. I've posted the final photos on my "Rainman" photo gallery if you're interested.  No more excuses, I have to learn to fly that bad boy now!  Rainman

[tony]

I checked out your photos, very very nice.  I'm jealous.....

[KSMooniac]

GORGEOUS!  Very nice job, and I'm sure you'll smile every time you crawl inside.

[kris_adams]

Wow!  You're going to get tired of hearing everyone tell you how nice that looks!

[rainman]

A note that I failed to mention was that while the interior was out, it's a good time to inspect the frame for corrosio (the old SB 208) and treat what you find. I also had a pitot test done and several small leaks were discovered and easily corrected. In my case an aftermarket oxygen system had been installed in 1980 and the tubing was plastic and had become very brittle so it was time to replace it with metal tubing (the correct stuff anyway). Bottom line, be prepared to do a bit more because you have great access to the components of several systems.  I do love the way it looks too!!

Ray

[fantom]

Quote: rainman

I do love the way it looks too!!