Another data point for you.

 

All of the body work was completed and my plane was primed and sanded to 320 grit paper, so it was paint ready when I delivered it to the aircraft painters paint booth hanger.  

 

The two of us (painter and I) worked together six days a week for five weeks to do the masking, base coat/clear coat, sanding and buffing.  Figure it up and that is about 420 man hours plus materials.

 

There was approximately $1,800 in materials (paint, clear, thinners, paper, sand paper, tape, blades, masks, polishing pads, polishing compounds, etc.).  These are 1999 costs.

 

The painters labor totaled about $6,200, so the overall total was about $8,000 not including my 210 hours of labor.  Again, 1999 numbers.

 

I got off at a very reasonable total expense because I (slave labor) did all the body work and paint prep prior to taking the plane to the painter.  It all turned out ok.  The plane was awarded two grand champions.

 

The greatest expense is in the body prep if you have the painter do it, and the paint will only be as good as what is under it.  Painters typically don't like to do body work.  They would rather paint.  

 

As said before by others and myself; in the end, while parked on display or otherwise, all that will be seen is the paint, interior, and panel.  All of the best workmanship (and the worst) will not be visible.  Go the extra mile ($) and make the finish nice.

 

At 8,000 feet and 200+ MPH they all look the same.

 

"The first thing noticed and last thing remembered is the finish"  (Don Barnes)

 

Gary Edwards

LNC2