I am just finishing up my 9-A and getting ready to move it from the garage to a hanger to put the wings back on. I have not finished the wing tips or intersection fairings and there is still some fiberglass to sand.
I have not come to a decision about painting. I am going to go with a professional job but have not priced it yet. I am sure it's going to be more than I think it is. The main question is should I fly the airplane first or paint before assembly.
The way I see it, painting first makes for easier transportation and prep, it can be done in an autobody shop and likely less expensive. But there may be spots that don't appear until I assemble it or I might damage the paint during assembly. If I fly first, I have go to a dedicated airplane paint shop and there is going to be significant down time. I am not going to want to take the wings and empannage off again.
So this post is sort of a survey. Paint first or fly first. What did you do or plan to and why?
I have not come to a decision about painting. I am going to go with a professional job but have not priced it yet. I am sure it's going to be more than I think it is. The main question is should I fly the airplane first or paint before assembly.
The way I see it, painting first makes for easier transportation and prep, it can be done in an autobody shop and likely less expensive. But there may be spots that don't appear until I assemble it or I might damage the paint during assembly. If I fly first, I have go to a dedicated airplane paint shop and there is going to be significant down time. I am not going to want to take the wings and empannage off again.
So this post is sort of a survey. Paint first or fly first. What did you do or plan to and why?