General Aviation

You’ve found the aircraft of your dreams, now let us add the fnishing touch that will make your dream a reality. With our extensive experience in fxed wing, and helicopter paint we pride ourself on our attention to detail.

Commerical

Here at ArtCraft Paint, we understand that your feet is a major asset to your business. Every day the aircraft is down for maintenance impacts your business. Over the years we have created a streamlined process for our commercial customers, that focuses on quality and low downtime.

Government

With a facility that can accommodate a global express and run multiple shifts, we can service a broad range of aircraft types. Along with our certifcations, and capable staff, ArtCraft Paint has completed various government contracts successfully.

Aircraft Exterior Services

After painting more than 2600 aircraft in the last 20 years, we turn ordinary aircraft into ArtCraft. Our expert painting team has been certifed by Asko Noble, Du Pont, PPG, and Sherwin-Williams, and they are consistently updating their skills using the latest technologies available to the industry.
Our painting team is intimately familiar with all aircraft substrates – aluminum, magnesium, composite, fabric, or wood; and work with specialty paints such as metallics, micas, and chameleons. Additionally, we have the capability of creating custom decals, and insignias painted or vinyl applied to your aircraft.

Airframe Graphic Design, Repair and Aircraft Painting

Paint scheme and graphic designs from simple (provided internally), to complex or highly detailed (provided by external partners)

Non-structural repairs to the airframe skin and replacement of non-pressurized cabin windows

Stripping, cleaning and repainting
Aircraft from single-engine turboprops to corporate and regional jets and all helicopters

Aircraft Interior Services

With more than 40 years experience, the head of our upholstery department can only be called a Master. He has worked on a broad range of interiors, creating exquisitely beautiful seating that spare no comfort; working with any material our customers desire. His expertise lies in the leather work; being able to display its natural radiance.
The perfect complement to the beautiful leather interior of your aircraft, our cabinetry department builds breathtakingly beautiful custom cabinetry using superior quality materials. Our master carpenter is an experienced craftsman and has vast experience working with veneers, laminates, and a variety of woods. We guarantee you will enjoy his creations for years to come.

Interior aircraft repair and restoration

Internal painting, upholstery installation, carpet installation, and window replacement
Aircraft from single-engine turboprops to corporate and regional jets and all helicopters


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Our Process

Arrival Inspection

Upon arrival, your aircraft will be inspected to assess general condition and determine the exact scope of work. The inspection will focus on the following:

  1. Windows – cracks, crazing, chips, scratches or other imperfections.
  2. Chrome – check leading edge existing damage.
  3. Surface condition – corrosion, skin cracks, dents, loose or missing rivets, metal abrasion, and tow limit damage.

The inspection report detailing existing aircraft condition is signed off by ArtCraft Paint’s personnel and the aircraft owner or your authorized agent.

Additionally, required work is detailed, discussed with you, and approved/declined in writing. Preventive care suggestions are also noted on the ArtCraft inspection report.

Preparation

ArtCraft Paint’s personnel will ensure that the following protection is applied to your aircraft:

  1. Windows and windshields are covered with the following 3 layers: spray masking paper, aluminum foil, and 6 mil heavy-duty plastic sheeting. Masking paper will be sealed with masking tape. Aluminum foil and 6 mil heavy-duty plastic sheeting will be secured by 4 inch 6 mil aluminum tape.
  2. Aircraft seams will be sealed with aluminum tape.
  3. Composite components, antennas, struts, and polished areas, are protected with the same three layers of protection as described.
  4. A protective barrier of aluminum foil and heavy-duty 6 mil plastic is applied to tires and landing gear.

Mechanical & Body Work

Our on-staff A&P (Airframe and/or Powerplant) mechanics will remove fight controls prior to proceeding with the repainting process. At the end of the repainting process, fight controls will be balanced, re-installed, and aircraft will be returned to service. A logbook entry will be made by our A&P mechanic. We generally include 10 hours of bodywork in the refurbishment process, should more be necessary, the customer would be notifed in writing.

Chemical Stripping

To ensure a premium exterior fnish, the following stripping process is meticulously executed: Stripping agents will only be applied to aluminum components; all fberglass or magnesium components will be stripped by alternative methods.

  1. Chemical solvent is applied to dissolve existing coatings.
  2. Aircraft is scrubbed to remove paint residue and solvent material. If necessary, a second coat of solvent is applied to remove any residual paint.
  3. Aircraft is cleaned with a high-pressure washer to remove all residues.
  4. All protective layers of masking material are removed.
  5. Scotch-bright scuff pads are used to remove any remaining residuals.
  6. Aircraft will be washed in preparation for bodywork.
  7. After all paint is removed from all aircraft surfaces, the aircraft is re-inspected to discover any previously concealed faws or imperfections.
  8. Should the inspection ascertain that aircraft condition necessitates additional work not included in the original work scope quote; Owner will be contacted to discuss the fndings.

The owner will be encouraged to personally inspect the plane. If any defciencies are found, the refurbishment process will not continue until ArtCraft Paint receives written consent from Owner to correct such defciencies (according to Aircraft Maintenance Manual (“AMM”).

Prime and Paint

Preparation for Prime & the Priming Process
Aircraft will be degreased, acid-etched, and receive an alodine treatment.

Prior to application of the primer, all aircraft surfaces will be wiped down with Superclean and a Tack Cloth.

Finally, a non-sanding corrosion-resistant epoxy primer will be applied to the aircraft.

Base Color Coat
Aircraft will be wiped with Tack Cloth to remove any lint or dust prior to the application of the first base coat.

A base color of polyurethane paint with a thickness of 3 to 5 mils will be applied to the aircraft. Each base color coat applied is allowed to dry and is inspected for runs, orange peel, pinholes, or bubbles. If these conditions are discovered, the affected areas are corrected prior to application of the next coat.

Design
All customers are required to provide their desired paint scheme to ArtCraft Paint before the desired project start date. If the owner decides to use ArtCraft Paint’s design services, the owner will be charged a design fee. These charges will be added to the final customer invoice. The paint scheme provided by the customer will be laid out on the aircraft according to customer specifications.

Trim Color

After the base color is dry, the following process will be followed:

  1. The registration number is applied in graphic form and will be painted on the aircraft according to the customer-specified paint scheme.
  2. Trim colors are painted.