The International Cessna^® 170 Association

I recently became a new owner of a 53B model. Some of the control surfaces are in need of straightening/reskinning. What is the best or least expensive way to repair these? Is it better to find new (straight) surfaces or to have them reskinned? If reskinning is the answer are there any recomendations to have these done. If repacement is the answer is there a recomendation on where to look? What kind of costs can I expect.
Thanks, Nelson Sundby
N1864C

I'm in the process of reskinning my Left aileron, both elevators, and the rudder. They are at Williams Airmotive in Kendallville, IN. ( http://www.williamsairmotive.com/index.htm ) I know this is a shameless plug, but they are THE best place to have this stuff done. They have the jigs to rebuild most any Cessna or Piper, they epoxy prime the inside as part of the process for corrosion control, and they can turn it around quickly. The prices they gave me are:

Complete rebuild of Left Aileron: $850
Re-skin Elevators: $950 per elevator
Re-skin Rudder: $950 - $1500 depending on its condition and whether it need both upper and lower skins and whether the belcrank is serviceable.

If you choose to re-skin your control surfaces, I would highly recommend Williams.

Those are pretty high prices quoted. Why don't you give Schomp a call at 334-347-0233, or fax him at 334-347-0873.
He advertises in TAP under Cessna Parts and is located in Alabama.

Geeze, I'm not charging enough!!!

I've done a few of these (completely drilled apart, all parts
etched, alodined + epoxy primed, rebuilt from the ground up)
and I estimate it takes 10-15 hours to do one. So I suppose at
$50+ an hour, it doesn't take long to get up to those prices....

I had mine done at JRA Executive in Hagerstown MD. They also have Many tools for that kind of work.
John

beegles aircraft service did my horrible and verticle stabs, reskin both sides prime before reassembly and polish. they have my elevators and rudder now. there prices are a bit lower than williams and i am very happy with there work. nick

Williams did both my wings. Fantastic work, indistinguishable from Cessna factory work except wonderful, quality anti-corrosion treatments (epoxy polyamide) and no wrinkles!

Stephan Schomp in Alabama has built a flap for me for $750. Reskinned another flap for $350 and reskinned the lower rudder. He does beautiful work and has integrity.

I got a left wing and right aileron from Williams. The wing was a rebuild - very good workmanship, and the same price as a hail damaged one from Wentworth ($3500). The aileron was straight off another airplane ($850) no work done to it. I am very happy with my dealings with them.
David