Aero Paint

37F had the original 1967 paint. Considering it's age it
was in good shape, but it needed a new paint job.

Aero Paint is conviently located right across from our hangar.
They have a good reputation for quality work.

Here is 37F on their wash rack for stripping.

Painting an airplane is an involved process that takes a lot of work.
First step is to remove the control surfaces. Then non-metal
surfaces are masked to protect them from the chemical stripping.
Here the top and side cowl and wing tops have been stripped.

Next is the glamourous task of applying the chemical stripper to remove
the old paint. We were surprised to learn that the original paint was lacquer.
When the stripper is applied to lacquer, it just turns to goo, unlike enamel
which bubbles off cleanly. The lacquer added several days to the process.

Most of the paint was removed. The next step is to scrub the entire
airplane by hand to remove all remaining traces of the lacquer.

All scrubbed and ready for acid etch and alodine.
The acid etch "cleans" and removes any oxidation from the exposed aluminum.
The alodine coats and seals the surface and provides "teeth" to hold the paint.

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