Page 8 - September 24

Flex Aero Aircraft Painting and Interior showcased its proficiency in painting the King Air to match the Dodge Challenger’s paint scheme.
AIRCRAFT PAINTING AND INTERIOR
Flex Aero Aircraft Painting and Interior
Once the concepts were decided by King Air Nation, they were handed off to Florida-based Flex Aero Aircraft Painting and Interior for the finalizing of the designs and the intricate painting process.
“Painting a metallic-colored airplane requires precision and expertise to ensure the finish is not only visually stunning but also aerodynamically efficient and durable against the elements,” said Sabrina Satler, CEO of Flex Aero. Despite a humorous nod to the “Demon” featured on the aircraft, the team dedicatedly prayed over the project.
The exterior paint process took a little less than eight weeks. Due to the extended drying time required for metallic colors, Flex Aero had to wait a few extra days before starting the stripe layout process. Below is a description of each step involved:
1. Inspection and Preparation
= Upon arrival, the aircraft undergoes a thorough inspection for any signs of damage.
= All surface controls are removed to facilitate the process.
2. Protection and Stripping
= Areas not to be stripped are covered with chemical-resistant tape and paper to protect them during the stripping and cleaning phase.
= The aircraft is then stripped using a liquid stripper.
3. Sanding and Repair
= The aircraft is sanded to remove any remaining paint or primer residue not removed by stripping.
= Composite parts are also sanded as required.
= Any bodywork, fiberglass and dents are
meticulously repaired.
= The aircraft is etched and treated to ensure corrosion protection.
4. Priming and Painting
= An epoxy primer is applied as the base layer.
= This is followed by three coats of polyurethane
topcoat paint.
= The landing gear struts and wheels are also sanded and painted.
5. Decorative Design and Finishing
= A custom design stripe layout is meticulously created.
= A licensed mechanic weighs, balances and reinstalls all surface controls.
= Operational exterior placards are installed for functionality and compliance.
= A strip of PRC black sealer is applied around the windows to achieve a clean, crisp edge.
6. Final Touches
= The final stage includes touching up all stripes, removing masking tape and cleaning windows and exterior parts to ensure a flawless finish.
6 • KING AIR MAGAZINE
SEPTEMBER 2024