Covering Royalite

[The-sky-captain]

What's an approx cost to cover the Royalite side panels and headliner in a 201? I'm looking at using ultraleather or something comparable. I recall someone mentioning a cost of around 850$ with them removing and reinstalling the panels. I removed and painted the panels about 4 years ago so I think I would be up to installing them myself if the cost break was big enough.

[M016576]

I found some ultraleather on eBay for ~$80.00. Add about 15.00 for contact cement and that's it.

As a sidenote, I was quoted $5000.00 to buy new side panels for a mooney covered in ultraleather. Even $850 seems reasonable compared to that!!!

[jetdriven]

I have never seen one that didn't sag and come loose later. We tried this back in 1999.

[The-sky-captain]

Not sure I would want to apply it myself, seems like that would be a little above my pay grade. What other options are out there besides ultra leather?

[M016576]

Not sure I would want to apply it myself, seems like that would be a little above my pay grade. What other options are out there besides ultra leather?

Paint and/or new plastic, or cloth. Bennett had some sweet new armrests installed, and they are beautiful, but cost 5700- and that's with you doing the install. $6500 if you drop it off for the guy to install for you. Airtex Interiors had cloth available. You can purchase new panels w/ cloth already affixed from them: expect about $2000 for sidepanels and headliner.

Another option: drop your plastics off at an auto interior shop and have them attach the ultra leather or cloth for you if you don't feel up to the challenge of gluing it yourself.

[PTK]

The-sky-captain, have you considered repainting the abs panels instead of covering them? If they aren't damaged it would seem the way to go imo. There are paint systems, like SEM for example, that are chemically engineered for ABS. The paint chemically bonds to the ABS surface. You can do it yourself and the panels will come out looking brand new.

[RJBrown]

I repaired and repainted the panels in N231NH. Looked new when done. I used MEK and very light fiberglass cloth to repair most cracks. Used the fiberglass cloth sold by R/C airplane hobby shops meant to cover wings. worked the cloth into the backside of the panels using MEK and a paintbrush. Auto trim shops sell a plastic powder/solvent kit to fix bigger gaps. SEM paints work great. Here are some before and after pictures. I did the R&R. I did the panels. An auto upholstry shop did the seats. I bought new windlace and a premade carpet set. Interior looked better than new.

[The-sky-captain]

The-sky-captain, have you considered repainting the abs panels instead of covering them? If they aren't damaged it would seem the way to go imo. There are paint systems, like SEM for example, that are chemically engineered for ABS. The paint chemically bonds to the ABS surface. You can do it yourself and the panels will come out looking brand new.

I painted them back in 09' and they turned out great. The problem is that I rode in a buddy's Bo the other day and he has the panels covered which looks awesome. Michael (Rustler) here on Mooneyspace covered his several years ago as well with great results. The cost is nominal at $80 per yard of material, $50 per our on wrapping labor, estimated at 4 hours, and $180 for the burn documents. I'm using a local auto interior shop that does a lot of planes in the area.

[The-sky-captain]

I want to replace all of the screws and cup washers on the plastic panels as well. Do any of my fellow Mooney brethren have the specs on what sizes are needed and where I can purchase them?

[RJBrown]

I bought the screws and washers at A&A Trading post a Ace Hardware store. They carry stainless hardware in the sizes you ask about.

[The-sky-captain]

I bought the screws and washers at A&A Trading post a Ace Hardware store. They carry stainless hardware in the sizes you ask about.

Easy enough, thanks RJ.

[n5756k]

My Mooney is down in San Antonio at Aero Comfort right now.  I dropped it off and they are redoing everything. "Ultra leather" over all the plastic. i.e. header, side panels.  Recover the seats in leather. New carpet. Powder coating control yokes. Recover instrument panel head cover. All new placard labels.  They tell me when I pick it up it will look new.  I got a tour, great shop.  Price $12.500.00

[rainman]

N5756K, Aero Comfort did mine 18 months ago...still looks fabulous, check my gallery. RAINMAN

[Marauder]

Can some of you who had AeroComfort do the work post some pictures? Trying to get an idea if I can tackle any of this myself or just leave my wallet with them...

[pirate]

I had ALL Royalite panels covered in Ultraleather 9 years ago by a local interior shop, still looks perfect like the day they installed it. It's not a easy task to do properly.