Painting an airplane.

[Aztec Driver]

Actually, more along the lines of custom designed artwork on an airframe.

A curious question. Are there any rules regarding painting artwork on an airframe?

I have an employee who is a very gifted artist with an airbrush. He does really remarkable artwork on motorcycles and other items that he sells to others. He is offering to do some artwork on my aircraft, just to spread his name to other people who may want his art on their motorcycles, and other equipment, not really aircraft. It would be a real attention getter on the ramp.

 

[Kiddo's Driver]

Like this?

 

[kyleb]

Actually, more along the lines of custom designed artwork on an airframe.

A curious question. Are there any rules regarding painting artwork on an airframe?

I have an employee who is a very gifted artist with an airbrush. He does really remarkable artwork on motorcycles and other items that he sells to others. He is offering to do some artwork on my aircraft, just to spread his name to other people who may want his art on their motorcycles, and other equipment, not really aircraft. It would be a real attention getter on the ramp.

.

You may do whatever you like unless you have an aircraft with paint color restrictions or fabric system STC's, then you will need to follow the appropriate procedures. You will need a mechanic to rebalance and reinstall any controls that are painted and to update the weight and balance. Now if all you're gonna do is a bit of art on the nose or add some pinstripes, paint the thing and move on.

 

[AggieMike88]

When I see threads like this, I always think of Kuala Airlines and their green scheme.

 

[Aztec Driver]

Like this?

That's about what he's thinking about. Maybe not quite such a grand design, and it has to fit a twin.

 

[N801BH]

I "think" the only reg that could rear it's ugly head is if the paint scheme affects the reading of the N number...

 

[poadeleted20]

I "think" the only reg that could rear it's ugly head is if the paint scheme affects the reading of the N number...

I think you mean this from 14 CFR 45.21:

(c) Aircraft nationality and registration marks must--
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (d) of this section, be painted on the aircraft or affixed by any other means insuring a similar degree of permanence;
(2) Have no ornamentation;
(3) Contrast in color with the background; and
(4) Be legible.

Only other issue I can imagine is the ordinary obscenity/pornography laws, but I doubt that's where you're going. Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of what you can afford. Just make sure he works with someone who knows airplane painting issues so there's no problem with materials compatibility or anything like that.

 

[N801BH]

I think you mean this from 14 CFR 45.21:
Only other issue I can imagine is the ordinary obscenity/pornography laws, but I doubt that's where you're going. Beyond that, it's mostly a matter of what you can afford. Just make sure he works with someone who knows airplane painting issues so there's no problem with materials compatibility or anything like that.

Yup... That is the rule I was thinking about.....

When I had the local decal shop build my N numbers, I had to give them the FAA specs /rules on height/ spacing/color, etc... I remember it being rather complex on what the FAA likes to see...

With that said, I have seen so fantastic paint jobs on planes at OSH and the N numbers were barely visible in the paint scheme... I wondered how the DAR passed them..

 

[poadeleted20]

When I had the local decal shop build my N numbers, I had to give them the FAA specs /rules on height/ spacing/color, etc... I remember it being rather complex on what the FAA likes to see...

Anyone who wants an N-number decal for their plane should contact Bengie Phillips at Speedmaster signs -- he's done lots of these and knows the FAA rules on this by heart. He sends you a nice plastic decal smoothing tool with the decals, too -- helps avoid bubbles.
Address: 1132 13th St, Columbus, GA 31901
Phone:(706) 324-7446

 

[steingar]

Actually, more along the lines of custom designed artwork on an airframe.

A curious question. Are there any rules regarding painting artwork on an airframe?

I have an employee who is a very gifted artist with an airbrush. He does really remarkable artwork on motorcycles and other items that he sells to others. He is offering to do some artwork on my aircraft, just to spread his name to other people who may want his art on their motorcycles, and other equipment, not really aircraft. It would be a real attention getter on the ramp.

I think it's bad idea for two reasons. First, while your aircraft may be an attention getter your paint scheme may actively decrease its value, since not everyone will like what you do. Second, when bits of paint start coming off due to normal wear and tear is this guy going to be around and willing to do touch up?

 

[Immelman]

I think the world is a worse-off place without the WW-II style nose art of the day. Go forth, and post pics for everyone to enjoy!

 

[frfly172]

Like the idea ,shows individualism . Hope you post pictures when done.

 

[Skylane81E]

I think the world is a worse-off place without the WW-II style nose art of the day. Go forth, and post pics for everyone to enjoy!

I think nose art would be a good compromise between looking cool and Stingar's (valid) concerns

 

[Alexb2000]

Why do anything wild in paint?

Wrap it, that's what the air carriers are doing.

If you change your mind or sell it, no biggie.

Besides you can do it yourself or have it done at a fraction of the cost.

 

[KSMooniac]

I had an airbrush artist paint my Mooney logo on the tail of my plane in lieu of a bland decal that wouldn't match my colors anyway. He did a great job, and I would encourage anyone to try doing something different.

My guy was a laid-off painter from Big Dog Motorcycles that got to paint production and custom bikes, and he is very good.