painting options?

[mikeb]

I'm about finished w/ the emp construction (waiting on the QB boxes to arrive). In the interest of time and maybe even $$, I'm thinking about having one of the local body shops paint the pieces for me. Don't have the quote yet, but sounds like I might get a good deal (approx $2K total).

Has anybody used an autobody shop to paint their airplane?
Are there reasons I should be worried about using these guys? (they do custon car work among other things)
If you've used autobody shops, lessons learned?

Thanks in advance
MikeB

 

[robertahegy]

Most body shops will do a fine job. Cautions I would give would be that they properly clean and prep the AL surface and be careful not to lob on so much paint that you add a lot of weight unnecessarilly.

And be careful transporting parts back and forth as they are easily damaged or dented.

Roberta