Aircraft Painting & Refinishing
Paint and refinish aircraft exteriors
Overview
Aircraft painting shops charge $15,000-$100,000+ per paint job depending on aircraft size.
Painting 15-40 aircraft annually generates $400,000-$2,000,000 annually with 40-60% margins.
In 2025, aircraft need repainting every 10-15 years for corrosion protection and appearance.
Services include complete aircraft stripping and painting, partial paint jobs, corrosion treatment, custom paint schemes, detailing and striping, and clear coat application.
Successful paint shops maintain climate-controlled hangar facilities, use aviation-approved paints (polyurethane, epoxy), provide quality prep work, deliver custom paint designs, and complete work on schedule.
Aircraft down during painting (1-4 weeks).
Marketing through aircraft owners, brokers, maintenance shops, and FBOs.
Required Skills
- Aircraft Painting
- Prep & Bodywork
- Paint System Knowledge
- Spray Equipment
- Design & Masking
- Quality Control
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Very high-value projects
- Essential service for aircraft maintenance
- Custom paint schemes premium pricing
- Long-lasting results (10-15 years)
- Growing fleet needs repainting
Cons
- Very expensive facility investment
- Climate-controlled hangar required
- Long project timelines
- Aircraft downtime scheduling challenges
- Environmental regulations for paint
How to Get Started
- Learn aircraft painting and prep techniques
- Secure large climate-controlled hangar
- Invest in spray equipment and ventilation
- Source aviation-approved paint systems
- Hire experienced aircraft painters
- Market to aircraft owners for repaints
- Build portfolio of completed paint jobs
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