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Scratch Resistant Interior paint?

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Ben Ellis

Well Known Member
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I've been using a well known water based primer throughout my build and have tested that company's top coat. While I think the primer is good enough for enclosed areas, I'm not satisfied with the durability of the primer or top coat in high touch areas. I really don't like the look of paint scratches, and while they may be inevitable, I want them to be few and far between and easy to repair.

I figured since I will paint my interior all in one shot, I can paint with the hazardous stuff that I have so far avoided since I've been building in my basement. I'll either build a temporary paint booth or just wait until I get to my hangar.

With that in mind, are there any paints out there that are highly scratch resistant that you can recommend?
 
Ben Ellis said:
I've been using a well known water based primer throughout my build and have tested that company's top coat. While I think the primer is good enough for enclosed areas, I'm not satisfied with the durability of the primer or top coat in high touch areas. I really don't like the look of paint scratches, and while they may be inevitable, I want them to be few and far between and easy to repair.

I figured since I will paint my interior all in one shot, I can paint with the hazardous stuff that I have so far avoided since I've been building in my basement. I'll either build a temporary paint booth or just wait until I get to my hangar.

With that in mind, are there any paints out there that are highly scratch resistant that you can recommend?
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I am happy with Southern Polyurethane's epoxy primer. I used white, but I think it is also available in black and gray. Sort of semi-gloss finish. No top coat. It isn't UV proof, but the plane is hangared.
 
I used Stewart Systems primer on my entire build and love it. I used their paint on the interior...not a fan. It just doesn't have the durability I expect out of a top coat. That being said, something you may consider regardless of which product you go with: Because my interior paint ended up not being all that scratch resistant, I went the route of putting clear paint protection film on high wear areas (the bumper guard / rock chip type stuff, not just normal vinyl car wrap). My interior will cover most of the cockpit, but I was concerned about the cockpit side rails, baggage area walls, etc. I'm not flying yet, but I've been crawling all over the plane for the last 6 months and even with all of the abuse, the covered areas still look pristine. Just another option.
 
blaplante said:
I am happy with Southern Polyurethane's epoxy primer. I used white, but I think it is also available in black and gray. Sort of semi-gloss finish. No top coat. It isn't UV proof, but the plane is hangared.
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I use it too and one reason is because it IS UV resistant which is darn hard to find in a primer.

Epoxy Primer | SPI

Southern Polyurethanes' famous high-performance epoxy primer designed for superior adhesion and durability. Perfect for various surfaces and applications.
www.southernpolyurethanes.com www.southernpolyurethanes.com
 
Lucmac said:
I use it too and one reason is because it IS UV resistant which is darn hard to find in a primer.

Epoxy Primer | SPI

Southern Polyurethanes' famous high-performance epoxy primer designed for superior adhesion and durability. Perfect for various surfaces and applications.
www.southernpolyurethanes.com www.southernpolyurethanes.com
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That's new! It wasn't UV proof when I put mine on 10+ years ago.
 
How much you want to spend? Teflon infused urethane..This is what I use for flap leading edges, cowling interface, ect. At my day job, it's used all over heavy jets. It can be tinted, but comes in various shades of white and gray. Skygeek carries it, but I liberate out of date stock when I need it. There is nothing tougher in the world, paint based. Lots of folks talk Cerekote, but I only use what I'm familiar with. https://skygeek.com/ppg-desothane-c...-spec-flat-anti-chafe-topcoat-gallon-kit.html
 
fixnflyguy said:
How much you want to spend? Teflon infused urethane..This is what I use for flap leading edges, cowling interface, ect. At my day job, it's used all over heavy jets. It can be tinted, but comes in various shades of white and gray. Skygeek carries it, but I liberate out of date stock when I need it. There is nothing tougher in the world, paint based. Lots of folks talk Cerekote, but I only use what I'm familiar with. https://skygeek.com/ppg-desothane-c...-spec-flat-anti-chafe-topcoat-gallon-kit.html
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Woah, I was going to say that I'm flexible on price, but $1k/gal is a bit too rich for my blood. Sounds like nice stuff though.
 
Just to clarify, I'm looking for a top coat that will lay down smoothly/without texture, is flat/matte (or that can be flattened), and that I can have made in two very specific shades.
 
Ben Ellis said:
Just to clarify, I'm looking for a top coat that will lay down smoothly/without texture, is flat/matte (or that can be flattened), and that I can have made in two very specific shades.
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I painted my RV-4 interior with JetFlex water based Boeing grey, and its nice, but not scratch resistant in high traffic areas. In hind sight, I should have used the teflon paint because I had a gallon of it sitting around that was flat gray. It really is good stuff.
 
fixnflyguy said:
Lots of folks talk Cerekote,
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I tried Cerakote a week ago on some test pieces based on VAF reports. Easy to spray. No activator required. Yesterday, I scuffed with a scotchbrite and wiped with Acetone for a second coat. It seems tough as nails and impervious to Acetone. I plan to use it on some in-floor baggage compartments on the -10.
 
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Not sure what my builder used but I can't get it to scratch. I do have a couple tiny chips where shoulder harness has hit it but no scratches.
 
Most brands of Polyurethane top coat are what you want. I primed my 8A with Sterling U1201/1202 Mil Spec epoxy primer and top coated it with PPG's Delta in the same gray that Vans uses. I did all the painting prior to reassembly for riveting. Stuff is tough as all get out. Even riveting doesn't scratch it.
 
I'll get flamed, but as my daughter would say, "whatever".
I used Kirker products. I tried Jet Flex. SW Jet flex was not durable and very expensive. Turns out Kirker EnduroPrime is sold in white, gray and black, so you can mix and get almost any neutral shade. It's a 2K epoxy. Tough as nails. Easy to mix and spray. Dries fast but takes 5 days to reach full cure. Best part is it's a primer so one paint for the interior. Less weight. Cheap.

Before someone's undies get wadded, the wheels on my 4x4 have been painted with white EnduroPrime for over 5 years. They still look like the day I sprayed them. Colorado sun, weather, road salt and off road abuse. Far worse than an interior of an airplane would ever encounter.
 
I’m hoping one of the Cerakote clear ceramic coatings (single part, air cure) will show some benefit. Will post a review after some testing.

Their air cured color coatings are very hard
and pretty much impervious to any common chemicals including paint strippers.
 
blaplante said:
I am happy with Southern Polyurethane's epoxy primer. I used white, but I think it is also available in black and gray. Sort of semi-gloss finish. No top coat. It isn't UV proof, but the plane is hangared.
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+1

This stuff is tough as nails when prep is done correctly. VERY scratch resistant. Also very affordable.
 
lr172 said:
nobody does. a single stage will be more resistant than base clear though. the primer to base coat adhesion is the weak limk.
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you could bring the epoxy primer to as paint shop and they can add urethane tints to get in the neighborhood of what you want.
 
I used Cerakote C series. No mixing, No priming just 2 thin coats, covers fast, crazy tuff. For example it's used on the sides and tops of pistons and cams , amazing corrosion resistant. Chemical resistant not even paint stripper will take it off or leaked brake fluid. 1qt - $148.00 will do the entire cockpit . Plus it's a thermal barrier on your floors from the hot exhaust.
 
Little Al said:
I used Cerakote C series. No mixing, No priming just 2 thin coats, covers fast, crazy tuff. For example it's used on the sides and tops of pistons and cams , amazing corrosion resistant. Chemical resistant not even paint stripper will take it off or leaked brake fluid. 1qt - $148.00 will do the entire cockpit . Plus it's a thermal barrier on your floors from the hot exhaust.
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Sounds interesting. Do you have pictures of your interior you could share?
 
Flew a rocket recently that had most of the interior components vinyl wrapped and I was pretty impressed. I don't think one could beat vinyl wrapping as far as scratch-resistance goes.
 
clam said:
Do you know which product was used? There are so many options.
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My panel is vinyl wrapped. 3M 2080.
Outside is also vinyl 3M 2080.
www.kitplanes.com

It's a Wrap! - KITPLANES

How to finish your instrument panel with vinyl.
www.kitplanes.com www.kitplanes.com
It has advantages. Easy to print and apply a new one. Disadvantage is removing vinyl isn't fun. Not bad on the bench. Inside a cockpit would make it a real chore.
 
In our completion center we used Sherwin Williams Polane T for most interior paint, even on plastics. It can be sprayed as gloss, or with LPHV sprayer backing the pressure down end up with varying degrees of flat, or even a light texture.
 
wirejock said:
I'll get flamed, but as my daughter would say, "whatever".
I used Kirker products. I tried Jet Flex. SW Jet flex was not durable and very expensive. Turns out Kirker EnduroPrime is sold in white, gray and black, so you can mix and get almost any neutral shade. It's a 2K epoxy. Tough as nails. Easy to mix and spray. Dries fast but takes 5 days to reach full cure. Best part is it's a primer so one paint for the interior. Less weight. Cheap.

Before someone's undies get wadded, the wheels on my 4x4 have been painted with white EnduroPrime for over 5 years. They still look like the day I sprayed them. Colorado sun, weather, road salt and off road abuse. Far worse than an interior of an airplane would ever encounter.
Click to expand...
What is your prep procedure for EnduroPrime? I read the sheet, just wondering if you doo all that.
 
thehagg501 said:
What is your prep procedure for EnduroPrime? I read the sheet, just wondering if you doo all that.
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What sheet? :LOL:
Kidding. I prep aluminum the same regardless of what paint is used.
-Scuff with maroon scotchbrite
-Debur holes and dimple
-Wash scrub with gray scotchbrite and Bon Ami
-Rinse well and dry
-Wipe with tack cloth
-Spray tack coat
-Cure 1 hour
-Spray medium coat
-Lather, rinse, repeat for whatever number of coats. Two medium coats for primer.
-Cure 24 hours
-Wet sand for final paint or clay bar and soap if you plan to leave it.

I know using primer as an interior paint is against the law in some places, but it's far tougher than Jet Flex. YMMV
 
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