Norcalrv7
Well Known Member
As my never ending RV-7A project continues on, I find myself trying to find the happy medium of having a nice, but functional plane. When I aquired the plane, it already had some damage history. It was originally painted with a tri coat pearl white automotive paint. I will admit that it looks awesome, but unfortunately matching the color on the repairs is nearly impossible. I am disappointed with the color match on a recently repainted cowling, that even used the same left over paint as the original. The automotive paint shop has even made several modified test sprays to get it as close as possible.
I have a outer wing panel that was repaired, and not prepped correctly. It has corrosion starting under the edges of the repainted section. I'm going to need to do something with it soon. The idea of removing a wing to strip and paint ( with un matching paint) makes me sick.
I find myself contemplating the idea of a complete strip and repaint with a more standard color, and single stage paint. My plane has always been on the heavy side. It's well equipped with a CS prop, IFR panel etc, but I'm also convinced there is a significant amount of weight in the 4+ layres of primer, base coat, pearl, clear, plus whatever paint was applied over the top of other paint during repairs. There might be some significant weight savings possible.
Any thoughts or advice here? What has someone actually paid for a strip and repaint of an RV?
Caleb
I have a outer wing panel that was repaired, and not prepped correctly. It has corrosion starting under the edges of the repainted section. I'm going to need to do something with it soon. The idea of removing a wing to strip and paint ( with un matching paint) makes me sick.
I find myself contemplating the idea of a complete strip and repaint with a more standard color, and single stage paint. My plane has always been on the heavy side. It's well equipped with a CS prop, IFR panel etc, but I'm also convinced there is a significant amount of weight in the 4+ layres of primer, base coat, pearl, clear, plus whatever paint was applied over the top of other paint during repairs. There might be some significant weight savings possible.
Any thoughts or advice here? What has someone actually paid for a strip and repaint of an RV?
Caleb