Looking for a paint shop in the South East

[Bill Hart]

It’s time to put some paint on my 170 and I am looking for some input as to who are the good the bad and the not so good paint shops in the south east. I would really like to stay with in a couple of hours drive of Atlanta if I can. I would really like to hear both good and bad experiences.

[Harold Holiman]

Bill,

Call Lyndon Wilson here in LaFayette. He is small but does some real nice looking paint jobs. His mobil is 423-605-0404. Tell him I told you to call.

Harold

[simmonslarry]

Bill, I had my 52 170 painted and the interior redone in 2 1/2 weeks at B randis Aviation Taylorville IL. I realize that this location is farther than what you were asking about but I am very happy with the results and the price.. I had done most of the stripping prior to taking it down to them.. They had to finish stripping it and fill some dings and dents. I had them paint the original paint scheme and markings. $6700 was quoted and they stuck to it.. The interior cloth was replaced to match the paint. They were able to reuse the leather, so they took it all apart and removed the old cloth and reinstalled the new cloth and put it all back together and it is excellent. They gave me a qoute for the time frame that they would need to have my bird as well as a quote for the price and stuck to it.. Integrety in this industry sometimes is suspect, but I am impressed by the craftmanship and integrety of this shop.

[johneeb]

Bill,

The December issue of Aviation Consumer has an article titled "Finding a good paint shop". The article has a chart titled "Top 20 paint shops". From that list here are the ones located in the SE USA.
AOG Aircraft Paint, Mena, AR 479-304-5575
Legends Aircraft Refurbishing, Aiken, SC 803-648-9571
Select Aircraft Painting, Gulf Shores, AL 251-967-1778
USA Aircraft, Fort Lauderdale, FL 941-219-2616

Remeber this information maybe as Bruce always says "worth what you pay for it", and I am only the messenger.

[AR Dave]

Having gone through the paint job ordeal, and using the wrong shop, I would recommend AOG. Quality is top, judging from Jim Wildharbers award winning plane and cost is on the low side. They'll be the one's getting my trim color right some day.

AOG Aircraft Paint, Mena, AR 479-304-5575

[MoonlightVFR]

Decades ago I used to ferry airplanes on a time time basis from St.Louis, MO to MENA, ARKANSAS.

Gene Taylor owned WEISS AIRPORT in Fenton, MO and was a volume seller of used airplanes.

He would buy used Cessnas w tired paint. Fly to Mena and have a new paint job. Value of Aircraft jumped 3,000 to 4,000 $$ more. He made profit in avaition.

I had my C170B painted at his wholesale rate. Still have the original receipt. total cost was 625.00 !! Still have the same paint job although I have spot repainted the tail surfaces, Etc.

GOODNER AIRCRAFT PAINTING was the company . I understand Junior's
son is still in business in MENA.

I was very impressed w quality of work done and the fleet of airplanes on ground waiting for delivery or paint work. There were three (3) large urboprop planes from ALASKA being painted in ARKANSAS at his shop.

This story is dated however I have never received so much product/service for my dollar.

regards

[jlwild]

I know it's a long way from your home base to Mena, but I highly recommend A.O.G. Paint Services. I flew N3415D up from South Texas and had them paint my plane. They were recommended to me by Ron Wolf who had 6 planes pained by them. Dennis Goodner delivers everything for a good price. Email him at dennis@aogpaint.com

It cost me $6000 for stripping, minor repairs, balancing controls and painting my plane.

The paint job was so good my plane won the Peoples Choice Award at the Kelowna Convention. Getting a new interior installed during the paint process also helped Cecil Rose, owner of Sothern Pro Aviation Aircraft Interiors, did the job. He was recommended by Dennis Goodner.

Recommend you ferry your plane to Mena and have a friend fly you back home. That's what I did.

The next C-170 Quarterly News should have a short report on my plane.

[Bruce Fenstermacher]

The paint job was so good my plane won the Peoples Choice Award at the Kelowna Convention. ....

Of course the hours spend hand polishing the plane while parked at the gate enterance where all couldn't help notice the paint while at Kelowna didn't hurt. It was great fun placing finger prints on the new paint as we walked by. Thanks Jim.

[jlwild]

Bruce,

That's why it took so much time to keep the plane polished. Bruce, John, and others just could't keep their hands off such a beautiful plane. And, you have to admit Bruce, the setting in front of the Kelowna Flying Club building was perfect for meeting people, discussing airplanes, and of course showing off my plane while polishing off your finger prints.

Thanks Bruce and John