The exterior paint process has begun!

It is no easy task picking a paint scheme, paint shop, and colors!
Thanks to all who have helped in the decision making process!

 In my search for a paint shop I decided to stay local and went with Top Gun Aircraft Refinishing, Aurora, NE.  I have known Doug Abbott, A&P for years now and I have watched Terry Huffman and his painting skills steadily improve over the last 12 years. Their paint booth was built from the ground up in 2006 using the latest "positive pressure" air flow filtration system to minimize airborne contamination for that "show plane" flaw free look. The paint booth is actually pressurized as to not suck dust in from the outside.  Some shops have just an exhaust fan in their paint booth, but that can suck dust and debris under the doors and cracks. Not good for the final coat.     

Terry loves to paint, and he really loves RV's as they are new metal!  No stripping old paint!  His artistic abilities include extremely detailed and award winning air brushing. If you are looking for that custom air brush tail art, or just new "N" numbers let Terry take a look.

Terry finished an RV-10 as you can see in their web site gallery pictures. I have seen that plane up close, and it is gorgeous! I hope mine turns out as well.  

After seeing Marty Santic's design a few months ago I new I would just add a few minor changes to his design scheme, but in red. Below is the design I have given Terry and I'll let him decide what looks best. Already Terry has talked about having the red lower than the air intake in front, and I'm not sure about the red spinner, we'll see.  I know perfection when I see it so the design on the wings was stolen from Rick Gray's Rocket (Thanks Rick! :-), and I'm looking at air brushing the checkered flag on also.  

The surfaces will be Scotch Bright roughed up, acid etched, and alodined before primer is applied to get a good "bite" on the metal. Good adhesion is critical for a good paint job.  Wings, flapperons, rudder, glare shield, inspection covers, and prop removed for paint prep.  All fiberglass sanded, filled, filler primer applied, and repeated until the free of defects. They are really detailed and geared towards picky RV's builders.

The schedule is to have the Matterhorn white on by Friday, March 5th, and start work on the red & stripes after it has 3 days to set up and harden.  I have decided to use vinyl for the "N" numbers.  More on that later. ;-) 

The price is more than fair, and the lowest quote I recieved. Call Doug Abbott for a quote and scheduling info.  

I'm really looking forward to getting "Little Red" done and back in the barn so I can fly it!