Lots of sun and flying through rain have done a number on the paint job.
I had started by looking at several out-of-state shops, because I had been told California environmental restrictions don't allow the use of "better" solvent-based paints. It turns out the limitation apparently only applies to automotive use - many California aircraft shops use the exact same brand and formulation as those from out of state.
Another major concern was finding a shop familiar with Grummans. There's a Traveler on the field at Montgomery that was recently totalled after a paint job. The shop that did the work apparently hadn't masked off any of the bondlines, and the plane was quite literally coming apart at the seams! :(
Aside from the positive referrals, Flying Kolors was also close enough that I could drop by and see the progress over time. Here's a selection of images of the work in progress...
|
Lots of sun and flying through rain have done a number on the paint job. |
The back half was mostly down to the aluminum |
Paint chips everywhere! |
A bit of corrosion |
cIMG_3043.JPG |
Control surfaces all clean |
cIMG_4196.JPG |
All manner of dents and dings patched up. |
cIMG_4214.JPG |
cIMG_4225.JPG |
The right wingtip with completed bodywork |
The lower nose bowl, all cleaned up |
cIMG_4276.JPG |
pIMG_4288.JPG |
The right wingtip looks fine now! |
Filling in some smaller dings that weren't evident before. |
Shiny white fairings |
All the access plates |
I think all white looks stranger than all primer green |
cIMG_4487.JPG |
All that's left to do is a few placards. |
_Now_ it's officially a Tiger! |
cIMG_4757.JPG |
Ready to fly! |
Back home at MYF |
