Questions about paint, rivets, access panels, etc.

[wombat]

My new to me 1984 M20K could use paint.  I'm aware of the general cost and time frames associated with a mid-to-high quality paint job on a piston single.   What I don't know at this point is if a new paint job will really last as long as I am hoping for, considering the condition of my aircraft.

There are two things I'm somewhat concerned about and would like feedback on.

1. The paint is cracking and popping off of a lot of the rivets all over the plane.   Does this indicate some sort of manufacturing defect, age-related wear, or other problem that will reoccur prior to the normal end of the lifespan of a paint job?   It's also coming off at the lap joints or basically anywhere there is an exposed corner or metal, so I don't think there is really anything unusual happening here, but I thought I'd ask.
2. Many of the access panels on the underside of the wings are flexed/pushed in.   This is apparently quite common, and while not absolutely necessary, I want to get them 'fixed' prior to painting.    It looks to me like many of these have been 'fixed' over time by various shops because there are half a dozen ways of attaching them.  I've heard that the factory was riveting rings of aluminum to make an inner flange that the access panels then screwed to.   I've also seen several that have a pressed lip to be flush.   Has anyone else gotten all of these 'fixed'?  Or any of them?  I'd like something better than pop rivets, and something that will last.

[EricJ]

Since it's covering so much area I'd guess that whoever painted it the last time did a marginal prep job, and it just didn't adhere to the rivets, etc., as well as the flat spaces.

[wombat]

I was under the impression this paint was original.    But don't know for sure.

Doesn't mean what you said was in any way wrong.  Just that it was maybe the factory that did the marginal prep.

[Mark89114]

My 2000 ovation is doing the same thing in almost the same spots, but only on the top.  Bottom of wing looks fine.  Someone did a scuff and squirt at some point in time and that paint is coming off, but the base original factory coat is also peeling back around some  spots.  As mentioned, it is just poor prep work or maybe that is just the way it is after 23 years of flex on mine and nearly 40 on yours?  I am going to start considering how to repair as where the paint has peeled back it has some light surface corrosion that I need to get cleaned up.  

[redbaron1982]

Kind of a related question, does anyone have a relatively recent estimate (cost, time) for painting an M20J/M20K? A good quality job, but a basic scheme, white base with two color stripes. 

Something like this: 

 

[Fly Boomer]

17 minutes ago, redbaron1982 said:

Kind of a related question, does anyone have a relatively recent estimate (cost, time) for painting an M20J/M20K? A good quality job, but a basic scheme, white base with two color stripes. 

Something like this: 

 

30 for "good".  Not fantastic or perfect, but pretty good.  $20k for "okay" or "flipper" quality.

[231LV]

If you pick a top paint shop, none of your concerns are necessary. The best shops do superb prep including straightening, filling, cleaning, ect. Pay a bit more for all new stainless steel screws which go on after the paint and prevent the paint seam from being broken when a screw has to be removed. The quality of paint, at a top shop, will easily last in all but the harshest environments. I had my plane painted three years ago and the shop did a superb job.