Step 1. Aircraft Arrival Inspection

At APPCO we want to provide you the best possible experience from the first time we talk and into the future for years to come. To do this, it is necessary to make sure that we cover everything upfront upon arrival. We ask that you plan to be at our location for at least two hours when dropping off the plane for a full plane inspection. We will need your participation to make sure we cover everything and finalize all paperwork.

Step 2. Stripping Preparation

• Protect windows with multiple layers alternating paper and heavy duty foil and foil tape
• Seal flight control gaps, skin laps, doors and gas caps with foil tape
• Cover all fiberglass, plastic, antenna, deicing boots, vents, landing gear and propeller(s) to prevent stripper contact
• Document progress and send pictures and updates to the customer

Step 3. Stripping Process

• Apply the appropriate and relevant stripper. We use friendly environmentally stripper when possible depending on the original paint.
• Hot Pressure wash aircraft to remove excess stripper
• Remove masking layer from windows and deice boots
• Wash the entire aircraft
• Document progress and send pictures and updates to the customer

Step 4. Body Repairs

• Remove paint residue and corrosion from entire aircraft skin between rivet rows using a light sanding
• Remove flight controls for off plane painting
• Use Nylon abrasive wheels on all universal head rivets to prevent damage
• Repair dents on non-control surfaces
• Repair cracks in fibreglass where possible
• Document progress and send pictures and updates to the customer

Step 5. Prime the Plane and all removed parts

• Wipe down entire airplane with solvent to remove contamination
• Apply etch to provide paint adhesion
• Apply the appropriate conversion coating to provide a corrosion resistant layer
• Rinse entire aircraft
• Verify windows, propeller(s) and deice boots are protected
• Wipe down entire airplane with tack rags to remove dust
• Apply epoxy primer
• Document progress and send pictures and updates to the customer

Step 6. Paint Base Coat

• Solvent wipe to remove contamination
• Tack wipe to remove dust
• Apply selected paint
• Allow paint to cure slowly to ensure the wet look
• Document progress and send pictures and updates to the customer

Step 7. Layout of stripes and tail numbers

• Mask the stripes
• Mask the N-number
• Align removed parts to ensure pattern match
• Verify with customer for final approval of layout prior to paint application
• Document progress and send pictures and updates to the customer

Step 8. Paint stripes and tail numbers

• Apply 1st selected paint
• Allow paint to cure slowly to ensure the wet look
• Apply 2nd color selected paint (if two tone)
• Allow paint to cure slowly to ensure the wet look
• Remove masking to verify clean lines and edges
• Document progress and send pictures and updates to the customer

Step 9. Return of removed parts

• Balance Flight controls per MFG and FAA requlations
• Return flight controls to plane
• Return inspection panels to plane
• Return all other parts to plane
• Apply pro-seal to windows
• Apply wing walk (if needed)
• Apply de-ice boot sealant (if needed)
• Document progress and send pictures and updates to the customer