Paint

[donv]

I got a quote of approximately $44,000 to paint my 980, in a relatively complex scheme (factory scheme was $42,500). Does that seem about ballpark? And, anything special I should ask for, or things I should ask about?

This is a reputable paint shop fairly close to me, so going to Mena to save a few thousand doesn't make much sense, as I would burn up all the savings flying there and back. These guys have painted Commanders (and, in particular, Jetprops) before.

[Adam Frisch]

Sounds about right, but at the upper end. I got quotes between $18K and all the way up to $50K when I checked. If they do a nice job for that then it's worth it if it's close.

[donv]

It's Sunquest Air in Everett, WA.

[JMA]

DonV- we took our 980 our to Oklahoma.  Let me get you a name and pricing.

[donv]

Were the 980 numbers and little stripes on the winglets painted, or stickers?

[Bruce Byerly]

There’s a custom shop in Peoria, IL that does fantastic work. They have been painting Commanders for over 40 years. Satisfaction guaranteed! 

Seriously ... I grew up around aircraft paint shops. I have painted planes myself and feel like I could write a book on those experiences. But one thing I have learned for sure is that there is no short cutting the process for quality and a Commander 980 or the like takes 600+ hours of labor to do right.  You can get a $25k paint job and it may even shine but there are going to be compromises made. Some irreversible.

[Steve binnette]

Don, Byerly did my paint job and it looks fantastic.  I did 4 colors with a complicated scheme and it cost 50k or there abouts.

I have no regrets, they polished a bunch of things I never thought of, like tail skid, drain post on bottom of engine.

The plane looks awesome.  I get compliments every where I go.

Don’t skimp on the paint.  It is all in the preparation and they do a great job.

[Adam Frisch]

I can attest that Steve's paint job is first class.

[donv]

Are there any tools for paint scheme design out there? I could hire a scheme designer, and maybe that's what I need to do.

Byerly would be a good option, but flying across the country for something I can get 45 minutes away doesn't make much sense to me... I'm sure they would do a great job, but from what I can find out, SunQuest has painted a lot of Commanders, with fine results.

I'm still vacillating between the stock 980 paint scheme and a more custom one. My wife says she prefers the factory scheme, but also says how I paint my airplane (within reason) simply isn't something she cares that much about...

[JMA]

Don, ours was done at Servicenter in OK.

[Steve binnette]

Don do you have any photos of the original scheme you might use?

[donv]

I saw your airplane at HIO this weekend!

The original scheme looks like this:

[donv]

I am leaning against doing that, however. I'm thinking of hiring Scheme Designers, who I think did your airplane, to come up with something with more of a solid blue bottom and white top.

[Steve binnette]

Working with scheme designers was fun.  Try working with them, if you cannot come up with something better than the original paint, then just fall back on that.  I bet you will end up with an updated original design.

I was in Hillsboro for my sons first MMA fight in Portland.  The Rumble at the Roseland.  Scary for a Parent.

The fight went to a decision and my son lost.  He did really well for his first fight.  I kind of hope he stops but I think he wants to fight again.

He is a senior in mechanical engineering and has his private and multi rating. I told him your head can only take so much abuse.  He is 22 and bulletproof, what do I know?

I completely forgot HIO was your home airport until I saw aero air on taxi in.

[JMA]

Steve- see if you can sway him a little more.  Have a friend who was seriously injured in that sport.

Don- great pic, where did that come from?!?