High Cost of Painting Airplanes

[MoonlightVFR]

A recent post mentioned Junior Goodner , Mena Arkansas -

A few years ago I phoned Goodner in Mena. I think his son was the new contact. Cost was estimated to be 9,000.00 for repainting my 54 C170B. Best of the best. I did not proceed. It was not over priced.

However I still have the receipt from when Junior Goodner originally painted N2890C in 1976. The total cost was[$675.00.] Best value 675.00 I ever spent. A few touch ups later ( 38 yrs) Still looks nice.

I think that may have been a wholesale rate for Gene Taylor, Weiss Airport Fenton , Mo. Gene Taylor must have had up to 200 airplanes painted. He would always be recruiting ferry pilots for an exciting trip to Mena.

We too avoided Rich Mountain which was so notorious the VOR had a constant voice warning.

I once delivered several cartons of new empty baby food jars to Mena. Every airplane was to be delivered with extra paint for touch ups. New paint really sells an airplane.

A friend has a company that does vehicle wraps ( i.e. AT&T trucks , MacDonalds ) They just did the vinyl masking wraps appiled to what looks like a Gulfstream aircraft. Cost of masking was $ 56,000. They have no idea of what it cost to completely paint a corporate size jet. I am just guessing - 25 times cost to paint a C170?

[GAHorn]

Last century (1985) was the last time I had a corporate jet painted and it was only $35K for basic white w/two color stripes for a Hawker in Houston area. A King Air was $30K in 2002 in the Dallas area.
The state of TX had all our airplanes painted at Mena by Goodner (or the survivor). They were fast-strip and paint jobs which were "OK". Polyurethane makes a pretty "wet" look for a long time if it's applied correctly. (All it is is a coating of plastic. I once had a Dixie-cup of touch-up left-over and I set in on a shelf. Next day it was like a hard rubber and peeled the cup off it. We'd throw it down on the concrete and it'd bounce like a "super-ball" if you're old enough to remember what that was. It's shape made it bounce unpredictably as high as the hangar and as far as 30 yds.,....but it never showed any wear on the solid little cylinder.)

[hilltop170]

In 2009, the price for white base and two trim colors at Amos Aircraft Painting in Mena was $7500. He painted my 170 and did a great job. With the N-numbers on the wings and all the other extra stuff he did the price was higher when finished but we discussed the increase up front. Another honest shop that does good work.

Goodner's has been out of business for quite a few years.

[wingnut]

Long time employee Roger Crider purchased Goodner Aircraft Painting several years ago, maybe 10 or 12. Time flys. Junior's son Jason operated the business for a few years in the mid/late 90's, but that didn't work out. I think when Roger bought it was called Goodner Crider Aircraft Painting during a transition period. Now is Crider Aircraft Painting. I'll bet Roger was there in 1976, as were some other current employees. Same hangar, same phone number, and a lot of the same people. Some of the differences- If you liked Junior it would be impossible to not like Roger. Junior was rough shod I worked across the runway, and we could still hear Junior fire someone.
Roger manages production and quality better. If you were happy with the quality and service in 1976, you'll like it better now.
Yes I remember collecting baby food jars for the cause. Seems they even had value. I gave them to friends who worked there. Many cars and trucks were painted for a case of beer or baby food back then I often wonder if Junior was aware of the fringe benefits he provided.