Repainting a composite aircraft requires a bit more time and attention in stripping off the old stuff and getting the right kind of paint in the right places.

By Jeff Van West

The repainting process is different for composites than for aluminum, at least in a couple of critical areas. All of those areas could be summed up in the words "manufacturer’s specifications." That is, each manufacturer has its own do’s and don’ts when it comes to stripping off old paint and putting on new stuff.

The short answer for how to get the job done right is to find a shop that has done that make of aircraft and has happy customers. Unfortunately, many competent paint shops haven’t had to do a full repaint of a Cirrus or a Diamond yet. Is it worth trekking hundreds of miles to a shop…