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Evoke paint pricing question

Fenderbean

Fenderbean

Well Known Member
Would anyone be willing to give an idea of recent cost to have their RV-10 painted with Evoke? Even a PM if you prefer?
I heard something last week that crushed my dreams and hoping it's not what I heard. Something this year would be closer I'm sure since I know everything is more expensive.
Thanks
 
Fenderbean said:
Would anyone be willing to give an idea of recent cost to have their RV-10 painted with Evoke? Even a PM if you prefer?
I heard something last week that crushed my dreams and hoping it's not what I heard. Something this year would be closer I'm sure since I know everything is more expensive.
Thanks
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Last time I asked it was a 2+ year wait. Give them a call. Their pricing was on-line at least at one time.
 
It's going to depend on what you want, definitely give them a call. Evoke is definitely worth it if you want the best. They even take time to fix things like gaps and fiberglass work, etc. Amazing work, highly recommended, and Jonathan is "the man".
 
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I've had two planes painted by Jonathan and plan to have the 14 painted by Evoke (if I ever get an engine)...yep, not the cheapest paint job, but it will definitely improve the value of your plane and improve your self esteem when you taxi in and the line man tells you "that's the prettiest plane I've seen"...yep, that happens. Lots of things factor into the price you'll pay so talk to him or Autumn (they will be at OSH)...
 
From their website:

VAN’S RV-10​

Labor - $30,550
Materials - $12,950
Starting at $43,500

There pricing page list what is included in their base package and what is considered optional upgrades.

They are not a value paint shop and their work speaks for itself. They have a whole series of videos out there that details what they do and how they do it.

Be prepared to wait. They typically won't put you on the official schedule until you have been flying and have the kinks worked out.
 
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Just for the record, there are other paint shops that do as good as Evoke.
I'm not dissing Evoke, from everything I read, they're great. Cascade customs and Designs, in Bend, Oregon, is at least as good. And when I used them, they subcontracted Evoke design for the designing the scheme.
 
I used Evoke directly for the design, but had the plane painted elsewhere because I didn't want to wait as long as they were estimating. Their designers were top notch and very easy to work with. The paint shop was able to easily follow the drawings Evoke provided.
 
While I might have to go elsewhere for paint because of the backlog (but I really, really don't want to do that), I'd never do anywhere else for the design...
 
dmattmul said:
Last time I asked it was a 2+ year wait. Give them a call. Their pricing was on-line at least at one time.
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Just got off the line with Jonathan, wait times are now 3-4 years. Fantastic group to work with. Yes, it's expensive but still good value. They can do an amazing job with "fades", and the striping is practically "unfeelable".
Screenshot 2026-07-06 151006.png
 
When I checked with them, you have to spend $2500 for the design and that gets you in line for the wait, assuming your plane is flying. They do beautiful work, though.
 
This is why I always recommend potential builders to price everything out prior to buying their first kit. Keeps them out of the two thirds who end up with nothing to show for time, effort, and money.
 
simpsontl48 said:
This is why I always recommend potential builders to price everything out prior to buying their first kit. Keeps them out of the two thirds who end up with nothing to show for time, effort, and money.
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Well nobody says you have to have them paint your plane. They are in my back yard so it would be nice to support them.
 
simpsontl48 said:
This is why I always recommend potential builders to price everything out prior to buying their first kit. Keeps them out of the two thirds who end up with nothing to show for time, effort, and money.
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So, if you can't afford an Evoke paint job, you have "nothing to show for time, effort, and money"? Really?? :rolleyes:
 
Mark Dickens said:
So, if you can't afford an Evoke paint job, you have "nothing to show for time, effort, and money"? Really?? :rolleyes:
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I think the point was to understand the full commitment before you start rather than running into the inescapable problem that: "An engine costs WHAAT?" "Avionics are HOW MUCH?" and "$40K and a 4 year wait for paint?"
 
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Kyle Boatright said:
I think the point was to understand the full committment before you start rather than running into the inescapable problem that: "An engine costs WHAAT?" "Avionics are HOW MUCH?" and "$40K and a 4 year wait for paint?"
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These days, there is no understanding the full commitment before you start. You either jump off the cliff to see how far down it goes or you don't jump...
 
Fenderbean said:
3-4 years once you are flying?
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No, you get in a que and Jonathan updates you as time passes but he does not confirm a date until you have been flying for at least a few months. My 10 was completed in March 2025 and went to Jonathan in June 2025. My appointment was made in the spring of 2022. At that time, he confirmed it would be about 36 months.
 
I talked to the guys from Evoke at Oshkosh last year. They were a little surprised that I said that I had been painting their designs since way back in the Plane Schemer days.
 
I've been waiting 3 years in August. My updated paint is 1st quarter 2027. Don't think that will happen.18 planes ahead of me, my number hasn't moved in a year. I got on their list too late been flying the whole time watching my plane corrode. So I gave up and chose another painter.
 
Little Wing said:
I've been waiting 3 years in August. My updated paint is 1st quarter 2027. Don't think that will happen.18 planes ahead of me, my number hasn't moved in a year. I got on their list too late been flying the whole time watching my plane corrode. So I gave up and chose another painter.
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I’ve had 2 planes painted by Evoke and recommended to many friends. Every one was started within a month of projected expectations. Better than most GA suppliers. Not sure why your airframe would corrode ??
 
Fenderbean said:
Would anyone be willing to give an idea of recent cost to have their RV-10 painted with Evoke? Even a PM if you prefer?
I heard something last week that crushed my dreams and hoping it's not what I heard. Something this year would be closer I'm sure since I know everything is more expensive.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Nothing against Evoke at all.... but there are other options out there if you don't want to wait that long. For instance, I'm having my RV-8 painted at Corona Air Paint (KAJO) in CA right now. I was really picky and went down and looked at some work they've done before committing and its Top Notch. They have done a lot of RVs so far. Best thing is they are super great to work with and have been really responsive. I contacted them back in like Jan of this year and could have gotten in as early as March or April. For various reasons, I chose to delay to June and am hoping to have it back Mid Aug. It worked out great on timing because its miserable to fly here in the summer heat.

Meanwhile, I have a buddy who bought an unpainted RV from a builder who already had a slot at Evoke. I think he's still a good year or more out. I sure wouldn't want to leave my plane open to corrosion while I was waiting on a slot years in the future.

Edit: And my cost for a pretty complicated warbird livery with premium paint and finish options - including stripping old paint and doing fiberglass work and some cosmetic repairs are almost half of Evoke's pricing.
 
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My son and I were judges at SNF this year for the first time. We looked at planes painted by Evoke and a couple of other well respected paint shops (as well as some painted by the builders). We are both pretty detail oriented and I can say unequivocally that the Evoke painted airplanes were better. We saw orange peel on the underside of the wings from one of the other shops. There was also a very expensive turboprop with a very unique paint scheme painted by yet another shop mentioned in these posts and the paint was pretty bad.

There's a reason Evoke has such a long waiting list.
 
N10KE said:
My son and I were judges at SNF this year for the first time. We looked at planes painted by Evoke and a couple of other well respected paint shops (as well as some painted by the builders). We are both pretty detail oriented and I can say unequivocally that the Evoke painted airplanes were better. We saw orange peel on the underside of the wings from one of the other shops. There was also a very expensive turboprop with a very unique paint scheme painted by yet another shop mentioned in these posts and the paint was pretty bad.

There's a reason Evoke has such a long waiting list.
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Did an Evoke airplane win?
 
"...watching my plane corrode..."

You realize that aluminum begins to oxidize upon contact with air and that thin oxide layer actually protects the underlying material from corrosion, right?

Your statement would imply that you don't...
 
rocketman1988 said:
"...watching my plane corrode..."

You realize that aluminum begins to oxidize upon contact with air and that thin oxide layer actually protects the underlying material from corrosion, right?

Your statement would imply that you don't...
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So.... an unpainted, bare metal finish is more corrosive resistant than a properly painted one??
 
wirejock said:
Did an Evoke airplane win?
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The Grand Champion Homebuilt was a unique, one off design - designed and built by a very talented individual. It was all white, so the paint scheme is not what won the award.

The Reserve Grand Champion (RV-7) was painted by the builder and was beautifully executed.

Evoke painted aircraft won several of the Outstanding Workmanship awards. Fulltron painted one of the award winners.

 
Notso said:
So.... an unpainted, bare metal finish is more corrosive resistant than a properly painted one??
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The pure aluminum coating on our airplane skins is very corrosion resistant in the absence of something to break down the protective oxide layer - like salt water or industrial pollution. Keep it clean and, preferably, hangared, and it will last a very long time.
 
N10KE said:
Here’s what Scheme Designers has to say about copying their designs -

schemedesigners.com

Copyright Information - Scheme Designers 201-569-7785

All designs on this web site, and all designs created by scheme designers, Inc. are copyrighted. No scheme may be reproduced for any purpose whatsoever without the express prior written permission of Scheme Designers, Inc. What is copyrighted? Why our work is copyrighted? Each aircraft drawing...
schemedesigners.com schemedesigners.com

I’m not sure I’d be proud of stealing a design that someone else paid for. And I’m quite sure I wouldn’t be bragging publicly about it.
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Krea, to be clear, Plane Schemer was Jonathan's scheme design house name before he unified it with the paint shop under the Evoke name. Scheme Designers is Craig Barnett's company. Just in case you/others didn't know history a few years back.
 
I've seen a great paint 20 ft job painted by the builder. He showed me his set up in the grass right outside his shop. His plane flies nice. The closer you get to the plane, a little bit of quality stuff showed up. I've never seen any kind of award on his walls but he is active in the local EAA chapter, has helped new guys document and get their AP, has helped me in my build. He likely does work for a lot of the club members and is an IA.

My plan is to do something similar, likely all one color. I think I will paint before final assembly. I'll likely take the Sherwin Williams class sometime in the next year.

I find the Evoke price reasonable compared to the price I paid for a C172. I bought new windows and trim pieces and still paid>30K with a 2 year wait.

Given the prices, it comes down to an economic and values/happiness decision. Is it worth saving 30-40K for the time and frustration of DIY? Do I value a showplane look?

Comparison is the thief of joy.
 
Ezburton said:
Seems like home building took a wrong turn somewhere when we're willing to wait four years and spend $50k on a paint job.
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I suppose it depends on your philosophical outlook on life but, to me, I believe a $50K paint job perfectly embodies the spirit of home building… choice. Want to build the most inexpensive airplane you possibly can? Great, do that! Want to load it up with enough avionics to put most corporate jets to shame? Cool, you can do that too! I guess my point is that home building doesn’t equal “inexpensive” but rather “choice” and everyone has different motivations.
 
Ezburton said:
Seems like home building took a wrong turn somewhere when we're willing to wait four years and spend $50k on a paint job.
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I built 100% of my airplane. I'm having somebody else spray paint on it when I'm done. The paint job seems like a bargain compared to what I had to pay for my engine.
 
🤦‍♂️ Seriously, this again? "Homebuilding's jumped the shark!" is rivaling The Primer Wars. Everyone's got different reasons and goals behind their build. Some tinker, some like scratch-building, some like the alternative of capable-or-better-with-choice assembly. It doesn't match your, or your friends', view of "homebuilt". But it still is, it's just different. It's not a wrong turn, it's not a right turn, it's a different turn than you took.

I'm betting similar wails happened decades ago when match-drilled kits were first released, and then further back when formed parts in general were offered by manufacturers rather than just plans.
 
Ezburton said:
Seems like home building took a wrong turn somewhere when we're willing to wait four years and spend $50k on a paint job.
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More like opportunity lost by those shops with the investment and unwillingness to yield a job of top quality.

I should add, that there shops that have had better facilities and still did not yield this level of result. Have you looked at the prices for paint??
 
I for one am at the end of my build and while I have the ability, I don't have the time, energy or most importantly the place to do my own exterior paint. This build has been a struggle almost from day one dealing with the bankruptcy, price increases, lead times, laser cut parts, etc. etc. etc. While it may not be Evoke or Fulltron, someone else besides me will be doing it. I just want to get to flying and enjoying it so it will be naked for a while.

Back in 2011, I paid a pro painter ~$12K to produce an fairly decent quality job on my RV-7. That work pales in comparison to what Evoke and even Fulltron are putting out these days. 15 years later the cost to built a RV-12 has basically tripled. Seems their base price of $31.5K to paint a 12 is not unreasonable given how much cost have increased in the last decade. Certain paint color cost are astronomical. Evokes pricing page indicates that material cost for their work is ~30-35% of the total cost and that can increase rapidly with certain colors or intricate schemes.
 
I'm not sure if it's related but I paid for my Evoke design and to get on the waiting list. My understanding is that I can legally take that design elsewhere if I want to.
 
kirkbauer said:
I'm not sure if it's related but I paid for my Evoke design and to get on the waiting list. My understanding is that I can legally take that design elsewhere if I want to.
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This is done routinely and with Evoke’s permission. I believe they frequently provide the paint masks as well. A lot of the recent Fulltron and Cascade painted airplanes had their schemes designed by Evoke Aircraft Design.
 
Notso said:
So.... an unpainted, bare metal finish is more corrosive resistant than a properly painted one??
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Unpainted, flying 10 years now - ugly, but its a work truck! The good thing is that if you DO get corrosion, its not underneath the paint, causing bubbling and peeling….you hit it is Scotchbrite and move on…. Of course, we live on the edge of the desert! 😉

Look at many aluminum planes from the early years - they were all unpainted because no one had figured out how to make paint stick well to aluminum!

IMG_0699.jpeg
 
Like a strong crosswind, the topic goes from centerline about a paint job at Evoke and drifts to someone in the back row accusing a fellow member of committing a crime. Are there crosswind limits?
 
N10KE said:
This is done routinely and with Evoke’s permission. I believe they frequently provide the paint masks as well. A lot of the recent Fulltron and Cascade painted airplanes had their schemes designed by Evoke Aircraft Design.
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Correct.

I paid Evoke to help with my design and they knew up front that I was having Cascade Customs do the paint job (I live 40 miles from Bend, OR where Cascade Customs is located). And yes, part of the deal with Evoke is they send the mask to Cascade. Cascade explained this to me when I initially spoke with them about doing my paint job.
 
kirkbauer said:
I'm not sure if it's related but I paid for my Evoke design and to get on the waiting list. My understanding is that I can legally take that design elsewhere if I want to.
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You can but you have to get their permission which seems to be easy to get.
 
Brantel said:
You can but you have to get their permission which seems to be easy to get.
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This is probably technically true per the contracts (which I'm not going to dig up), but it was never expressed as an obligation or even treated like a box to check off. Because of where I live, this was understood from the moment we were discussing the quote. Once the scheme was done, Evoke sent the paint guide to my painter, they even cut and sent the masks.

A year later the paint is done, but I needed some isolated vector files of the scheme along with some matching number cutouts to sticker up the plane and make some shirts for the Hayward Air Rally. Evoke's job was long done, but there was Autumn on a Sunday morning replying to requests within minutes and cranking out the files I needed.

It's a little early, but I have every intention of using Evoke again for the -15 design work. We had fun. We love the design. Plane looks great and the people are cool.

Brantel said:
Seems their base price of $31.5K to paint a 12 is not unreasonable given how much cost have increased in the last decade. Certain paint color cost are astronomical.
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You can't get much closer to what I paid for my -12 paint a year ago. Evoke design. 3 colors, two are metallics and one of those is from the mica effects line.

The numbers in this thread seem reasonable to me.
 
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