Paint

[Marc_B]

Not a lot of Mooneys get repainted and we always depend on pireps to suggest where we go.  I've relied heavily on MooneySpace for recommendations.  Unfortunately a shop out in the southeast that used to be a great value doesn't seem that the quality is up to the cost any more sadly.

What I learned:

*  Pick a shop that's close enough that you can visit every couple of weeks.  Nothing keeps things on task and identifies/heads off issues quicker than you in the shop.

*  Have a list that you will go through at pickup and expect to leave it for another 2 weeks.  DON'T take it home until you have everything complete.

*  Visit the paint shop prior to selecting a shop and take a CLOSE look at the quality of their work.  Speak with at least 4 owners of recent projects and listen to what they say.  Words like "okay," "alright," "decent"....those can be telling of I'm not happy, but not upset enough to complain.

Dropped off the Mooney Nov 11, 2024.  After several shop delays, I finally picked up April 11, 2025.  Several issues noted at that time, but shop said they'd pay for me to come back and fix them.  Flew back Oct 27, 2025 and stayed until they were done; flew away Nov 5, 2025.  Still waiting for reimbursement for that trip, about 75% there.  Original quote was $18,500 (to be fair 2 years before drop off as I had to bump a year for avionics/interior); this was increased to $28,000 at drop off and total was $35,831 out the door with windows.  Laundry list of squawks; some minor (drips, runs, lines...), some really unexpected (incorrect hardware, wrong thickness of windows, improper belly install, missing placards...).

I've debated posting as I don't like bashing others online.  I thought I researched this well, but it didn't go as planned.  Moral of the story is that paint is an invasive and expensive project with lots of pitfalls...

[Fritz1]

Darn, reminds me of my  experience with a paint shop in the North East about 7 years ago, I had spoken to an owner who had gotten an excellent paint job from this particular shop, when I was running into trouble I called him and asked him how he did it, he said he went to the shop every week to monitor the work and encourage the painter, very hard work, solvents, dust, I eventually got my airplane finished by moving in with the painter for about a week, got my hands dirty and ate the dust, learnt a lot about paint, trying hard to stay away from it since then

[KSMooniac]

It is an exciting and hopeful time to get a full repaint and really make your plane *yours* and I've done it twice now. Second time due to hail, unfortunately. I hope to never do it again, frankly. I'm sure no job is 100% up to our expectations, and it's tough to balance the reality of what is achievable in a reasonable time frame/budget versus our dreams of perfection.

Both times I had to go back for warranty work, at my expense. On the first paint job, it required a second round of fixing after some paint peeled and I demanded they come fix it at my place, which they did. The second job was executed very well, but had some puzzling issues like that base color being mixed differently and turning out a different shade in a couple of places that required a do-over.

Compounding the problem is many shops aren't Mooney experts so you have to worry about things like gear doors being installed and rigged correctly, setting the elevator trim at takeoff when laying out the scheme, etc.

Local-ish is great, but there aren't a lot of options. I had one local big shop look at my plane and quote a job, but then had to pester them for weeks to actually give me a number... And then they came back with a single line item estimate of $50k! They should've just declined to consider it instead of wasting my time looking at the plane.

Sent from my motorola edge plus 2023 using Tapatalk

[C.J.]

@Marc_B 

While I appreciate the advice you've given and the detailed photos, your pirep isn't really complete without naming the paint shop. If you're reluctant to do that within this thread, could you DM the name of this southeastern US shop to me. I plan on repainting relatively soon, live in the southeast and have 2 shops in mind, one of which has done some minor work for me already which has been excellent and another shop that I've yet to check out in person.

Thanks, C.J.

[MikeOH]

That is some truly awful work; I'm sorry you had to deal with that, especially given the cost.  I'm no pro, but I've painted a few cars myself (yeah, in the driveway) and they turned out better than that!  And, NO, just because it's a plane doesn't excuse the runs and horrific lack of proper masking.

I'd appreciate it if you would DM me the name of the shop so I can avoid it like the plague!

[Scott Ashton]

5 hours ago, C.J. said:

@Marc_B 

While I appreciate the advice you've given and the detailed photos, your pirep isn't really complete without naming the paint shop. If you're reluctant to do that within this thread, could you DM the name of this southeastern US shop to me. I plan on repainting relatively soon, live in the southeast and have 2 shops in mind, one of which has done some minor work for me already which has been excellent and another shop that I've yet to check out in person.

Thanks, C.J.

Same with me - I’m only looking at shops in Florida so if it’s anywhere else, it doesn’t matter to me, but if you had it done on FL I’d like to know who it was too…

 

 

[exM20K]

1 hour ago, Scott Ashton said:

Same with me - I’m only looking at shops in Florida

Do you have concerns about spraying during the humid months?

-dan

[ArtVandelay]

Do you have concerns about spraying during the humid months?
-dan

In south Florida that’s about 11 months of the year

I don’t think they use water base paint. Hurricanes is what you need to worry about.

I used Chips at KFPR, I found a couple of small issues but they fixed them. Unlike other reports, mine took 3 weeks, not counting a week to fix a fuel leak after the stripping process.

If you have a J, I would remove the ram air before painting.

Replace old camlocs with the wide flange skybolt versions.

[LANCECASPER]

I don't need paint, but if I did I would seriously consider going to Mexico. This guy got a very nice job done on a Bonanza for a bit over $13,000 with A&P/IA sign-off, W & B, etc.

https://www.beechtalk.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=243063

[dkkim73]

1 hour ago, LANCECASPER said:

I don't need paint, but if I did I would seriously consider going to Mexico.

I am seriously envisioning a great deal on a metallic green custom job with "CASPER" in Gothic script across the back of the cabin. 

Ah, LA in the 80's, such a fun time...

[Matthew P]

On 5/4/2026 at 9:14 AM, Marc_B said:

Not a lot of Mooneys get repainted and we always depend on pireps to suggest where we go.  I've relied heavily on MooneySpace for recommendations.  Unfortunately a shop out in the southeast that used to be a great value doesn't seem that the quality is up to the cost any more sadly.

What I learned:

*  Pick a shop that's close enough that you can visit every couple of weeks.  Nothing keeps things on task and identifies/heads off issues quicker than you in the shop.

*  Have a list that you will go through at pickup and expect to leave it for another 2 weeks.  DON'T take it home until you have everything complete.

*  Visit the paint shop prior to selecting a shop and take a CLOSE look at the quality of their work.  Speak with at least 4 owners of recent projects and listen to what they say.  Words like "okay," "alright," "decent"....those can be telling of I'm not happy, but not upset enough to complain.

Dropped off the Mooney Nov 11, 2024.  After several shop delays, I finally picked up April 11, 2025.  Several issues noted at that time, but shop said they'd pay for me to come back and fix them.  Flew back Oct 27, 2025 and stayed until they were done; flew away Nov 5, 2025.  Still waiting for reimbursement for that trip, about 75% there.  Original quote was $18,500 (to be fair 2 years before drop off as I had to bump a year for avionics/interior); this was increased to $28,000 at drop off and total was $35,831 out the door with windows.  Laundry list of squawks; some minor (drips, runs, lines...), some really unexpected (incorrect hardware, wrong thickness of windows, improper belly install, missing placards...).

I've debated posting as I don't like bashing others online.  I thought I researched this well, but it didn't go as planned.  Moral of the story is that paint is an invasive and expensive project with lots of pitfalls...

You need to name names, there's no issues leaving a review and the name of the place so the rest of us know what to expect...without leaving a name, your post is pretty useless and irrelevant.

 

Matt

[exM20K]

3 hours ago, Matthew P said:

You need to name names, there's no issues leaving a review and the name of the place so the rest of us know what to expect...without leaving a name, your post is pretty useless and irrelevant.

Who are you? I fully understand why the OP didn’t want to name names in a public forum. I found a great deal of useful information in the post, including the importance of staying on top of the progress.  It is also obvious that shops, even well-regarded shops, have bad output.  Particularly now, a quality workforce is almost impossible to maintain, so 1, 2, 5, or more years ago reviews may be accurate then but not reflect current output.

I PM’d the OP with the name of a shop I am considering for my paint in the next 12-24 months. He confirmed that it was the same shop.  This is a datapoint to weigh against other current excellent output I’ve seen from that shop, and it may be, with the OP’s permission, a topic I raise with the owner.

I am a serious buyer of these services, not a drive-by poop stirrer. Are you shopping for paint, or are you just making noise that contributes nothing to the betterment of this community?

-dan

[Marc_B]

4 hours ago, Matthew P said:

You need to name names

If you're looking for a paint shop, PM me.  Unfortunately aircraft repaint for GA isn't a high volume industry.  But my point was that the shop I choose had many good reviews here on MooneySpace.  However things change, employees change, and quality can change.  I picked a shop that wasn't close based on recommendations.  I didn't stop in the shop during in the process.  I did not hurry them and gave the shop all the time they "needed." I showed up to pick up the aircraft and paid.  That didn't work.  I think the issue was that no one was there to look for all the little things that turn an okay job into a great job.

To be fair, I did the same thing with AeroComfort for my interior and Hector's work gave me the feeling of "wow, this is better than I expected and worth every penny."  I expected the same with paint and was disappointed.

But the point is...just because someone has a great experience  on MS, or a bad experience on MS...don't think that will necessarily reflect your experience.  Maybe it will, maybe it won't.  But if you're not intimately involved with a process as involved as paint...sometimes YOU need to be the captain because the shop is out for the day.

[Dennis M]

I need to get my J model stripped/painted.  Two conditions:

1. It needs to get done this summer.

2.  Needs to be within about 800 miles of Green Bay, WI.

Any recommendations out there?  I'm not looking for concours level paint.  Just a quality job at a reasonable price.

Two shops that I've talked to so far that meet my time/budget constraints are Sunshine Aircraft Painting in Bowling Green, KY and Jet Aircraft Painting in Kennesaw, GA.  So if anyone has a pirep on either of those shops it would be appreciated.

[Matthew P]

13 minutes ago, Dennis M said:

I need to get my J model stripped/painted.  Two conditions:

1. It needs to get done this summer.

2.  Needs to be within about 800 miles of Green Bay, WI.

Any recommendations out there?  I'm not looking for concours level paint.  Just a quality job at a reasonable price.

Two shops that I've talked to so far that meet my time/budget constraints are Sunshine Aircraft Painting in Bowling Green, KY and Jet Aircraft Painting in Kennesaw, GA.  So if anyone has a pirep on either of those shops it would be appreciated.

Dennis, sent you a message...call me.

 

Matt

[Schllc]

10 hours ago, Matthew P said:

Dan, sorry to get your panties in a wad..I stand by my post...pointless to warn others if you aren't gonna put a name to it...if he's willing to PM you the name, shouldn't be a problem to share with all..you don't agree, that's fine...seems like you are the s#!+ stirrer.. Just had paint done and I'll be leaving a review and name the shop...instead of leaving people hanging and guessing.

Hope you get those stains out of your panties...does your wife know you borrowed them?

And you probably didn't pick up on the fact, due to the anal-strangulation of said panties...but your response proved my point..now that you know the name of the shop, and the issues, it's something you can discuss with the owner to ensure you have a more favorable outcome..something you couldn't have done had you not been given the name of the shop...so thank you for proving my point.

I think that what he was trying to say is that flaming the guy publicly is generally not going to help anyone. He is also still considering returning for this to be corrected. 
At the end of the day, what is really important is not that mistakes were made, but how they are handled. No fun, huge inconvenience and expense, but the shop can’t come to you so you do what you have to do.
I know the shop, I know the owner.  Everything Dan said was accurate. The old salts are all aging out, and the younger generations don’t have the pride in their work, or at least not yet, that’s if you can find one to care enough to show up. 
There are exceptions of course, but it’s really tough and I think the owner is coping as best he can. Doesn’t mean it’s ok, but sometimes things take some consideration and compromise. 
If the shop was outright criminal, or just producing garbage and not caring that would be a different matter. That is not what’s happening here, and I have first hand knowledge. 
I personally would never call someone out like you asked unless I had exhausted all efforts and was mad enough to create an enemy.  
 

[Fritz1]

there is no easy way out, my first paint job was flawless, plug and play at Modworks in Punta Gorda FL, long gone, thought my second one in the North East would be the same way because I had seen an airplane painted in that particular shop that was stunning, did not go that way, my mistake, think the most important thing is a keeping a look at things after a job has been commissioned, these small paint ships are mom and pop outfits, no environmental controls, at the mercy of the weather, one key employee gets sick or quits, big problem immediately, large shops with environmental controls will not tie up their paint booth with a small airplane when they can do jets at a couple of hundred thousand $ a pop, costs is another issue, it is my impression that a first class paint job better than new will take somewhere between 2 and 3 months due to the disassembly involved and cost between $40k and $50k, wanting first class has to be clearly communicated to the painter and many shops are not set up to do it because it simply ties up the shop for too long, bottom line choose wisely, visit often and kick in extra cash when you see that things are not going to your liking, I feel it is virtually useless to negotiate price with a painter, they typically underbid to get the job in the door, rather let them bid, and then up the amount by saying what you really want, feather sand the paint edges, clear coat, no stripper in the wheel wells etc. and pay a premium over the initial bid, will keep fingers crossed that your paint job eventually comes out the way you want after all the rework is done

[Fly Boomer]

46 minutes ago, Fritz1 said:

no stripper in the wheel wells

I had never heard this before.  What does that protect?

[Fritz1]

hard to get stripper outta there

[N201MKTurbo]

You could use stripper in the wheel wells except the forward wall. It is the back of the fuel tank. Not only stripper would be bad, but if they use a pressure washer to remove the stripper, it can blow the sealant out of the tank.