Spatial Interiors vs AirTek Interiors

[brantv]

Looking at redoing the interior on my 67’ M20F. Considering both of these companies and looking for opinions, pros/cons. 
thanks

[Shadrach]

You’re not really comparing apples to apples. 
 

Airtex offers replacement carpeting and seat upholstery for most GA aircraft.

Jaeger Aviation (Bruce Jaeger) is a Mooney specific shop that has developed interior pieces specifically designed to maximize cabin space for the M20 airframe.

Both are a good choice, but my guess is that the Jaeger interior is the more refined and expensive option.

[DCarlton]

For my F, I went with Vantage Plane Plastics for interior panels and AirTex for carpeted pieces.  

[Flyler]

3 hours ago, DCarlton said:

For my F, I went with Vantage Plane Plastics for interior panels and AirTex for carpeted pieces.  

How did you like the Vantage parts? My '79 plastics are brittle and I think beyond repair.  I just poked my elbow through the pilots side and cracked it a bunch

It doesn't look like they have color options- do they only come in white?

[jamesm]

I went with Jaeger Aviation (Bruce Jaeger) aka Spatial Interiors ( I think he has sold the company now) with SCS interiors for the carpet and Aero Oregon recovered my seats in about 2015-ish. I had a mod added to the bottom rear seat pan cushion covering. It's a flap of seat covering material to the bottom rear seat pan cushion that covers the wing spar. So instead of having the interior piece that attached to the rear wing spar to cover it. Mine would usually fall off when I pressed down on the bottom rear seat. I have changed Velcro but it would wear out over time. I my opinion Spatial Interiors  is much better option. the original Mooney interior with all little pieces you have to deal and some of theses pieces need to be removed every year at annual time. During the annual someone is going have to remove the panels, whether it be you or the mechanic one way are another you will be paying money someone in time and/or money removing these panels. There is a saying ....  if  you make easy on the mechanic hopefully when comes pay them they will make easy on you in form of what they charge you. The Spatial Interiors are much more durable and fewer pieces. these panels where vacuum formed like commercial airlines use at least mine are and If I recall correctly they were made by triumph group interiors that is probably why they cost more.  IMHO they look a lot nicer, however I have seen several people's photos from this site who have done the Interior. They have done a great job refurbishing their own interiors. The original interiors pieces and some of after market companies are made  from the original pieces flimsy plastic material which will crack over time and they crack easy especially hotter climates with a lot UV exposure. 

James  '67C

[DCarlton]

3 hours ago, Flyler said:

How did you like the Vantage parts? My '79 plastics are brittle and I think beyond repair.  I just poked my elbow through the pilots side and cracked it a bunch

It doesn't look like they have color options- do they only come in white?

The Vantage interior panels are thicker than the originals; perhaps molded from original parts.  Their size and shape can be off by about the thickness of the material.  They take a lot of careful fitting, trimming and shaping (think Dremel tools and sanders) but the end result can be very good.  You finish them with SEM Products Color Coat Aerosol; you choose the color.  You’ll need a plastic prep to clean the panels before spraying.  The SEM coating adheres really well and it’s durable.  There are several threads covering this on Mooneyspace with pictures.  My interior is all from Vantage except for the headliner and window trim.  It’s many hours of work, not a quick remove and replace but the result can be worth it.  

[brantv]

Thanks everyone!

from photos I thought the AirTek looked like there was more material and fabrics, maybe a little warmer feel. But I do like the simplicity of the Spatial interiors as well. 

[brantv]

Doing a panel upgrade first, by the time it’s done I might be sitting on an upsidedown bucket with the money I have left. Will take/post before and after photos of both projects. 

[DCarlton]

12 hours ago, brantv said:

Doing a panel upgrade first, by the time it’s done I might be sitting on an upsidedown bucket with the money I have left. Will take/post before and after photos of both projects. 

Side note: I'm heading to Calgary next May to the Triumph & April Wine concert at the Saddledome.  My first trip to Alberta.  Looking forward to it.    

[LANCECASPER]

19 hours ago, Flyler said:

How did you like the Vantage parts? My '79 plastics are brittle and I think beyond repair.  I just poked my elbow through the pilots side and cracked it a bunch
It doesn't look like they have color options- do they only come in white?

No matter what shape yours are in, Aero Comfort repairs them and covers them with Ultra Leather so that they look as nice as the new interiors they were doing at the factory. This is as close to a permanent solution as there is.
This is a '93 Bravo that I used to own. The plastics were all yellowed and many panels were cracked and in bad shape.





I took them out and brought them to Hector at Aero Comfort and here's what they looked like a few weeks later after I re-installed them.





 

 
Buying new panels is a pain since they all have to be trimmed to fit and and if you do them all it will cost you no more to do it right with Aero Comfort.