SonexBuilders.net

Wings are 9.1 m2 x two. At a wild guess, fuse, tail, cowling etc 12 or 13 m2. I painted mine 2 years ago and it cost me about $1200 AUD to paint using 2 pack paints. Would probably times that figure by 5 or more if you pay someone to do it.

Here is my Onex. I over estimated. I bought a gallon of white and a quart of red. I used a little more than half of each. That was two light coats sprayed thru a cheap Harbor Freight gun. It was Polyurethane at 4:1:1. It was over single stage Upol #8. I spent about $500 on all the paint supplies, guns, etc.

Scott Todd wrote:Here is my Onex. I over estimated. I bought a gallon of white and a quart of red. I used a little more than half of each. That was two light coats sprayed thru a cheap Harbor Freight gun. It was Polyurethane at 4:1:1. It was over single stage Upol #8. I spent about $500 on all the paint supplies, guns, etc.

Very very nice - I hope I can do 1/2 as well.

What brand was the Polyurethane ? & why did you choose that ?

sonex892. wrote:Wings are 9.1 m2 x two. At a wild guess, fuse, tail, cowling etc 12 or 13 m2. I painted mine 2 years ago and it cost me about $1200 AUD to paint using 2 pack paints. Would probably times that figure by 5 or more if you pay someone to do it.

Thanks for all that.

So you estimate 31.2m2 total. I guessed 28m2, so will go with your more conservative figure.

Will be doing it myself - have painted an ATEC Zephyr using the Stewart System (fabric & paint supplied along with "How to Bible") turned out to be an unexpectedly good job.

Sonex being all metal (except for tips & cowling) doesnt need the sort of protection that the excellent Stewart System delivers (at high cost).

What paint (s) did you use & why?

Here is a bit more about my paint.

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6028&start=10

Skippydiesel wrote:
What paint (s) did you use & why?

Before painting my plane was polished for 10 years. I live near the coast, so decided to prep with alodine before priming. As for what paint I used. Concept 4:1 primer then Mobihel 2:1 base.
The thread from when I painted is here.
viewtopic.php?f=30&t=5275&hilit=unpolishing

Steve
Sonex 892

If you think a gallon of paint is going to make a noticeable difference in your real world budget, you are dreaming.

David A.

David is SO correct. I did the math and then doubled it. It came out about right. I was REALLY pleased I only spent $500. I think the quart of red was almost as much as the Gallon of White but I didn't care :) I bought two Harbor freight guns and used the primer one for red and a dedicated one for white. I went fancy and sprung for the ones with the regulators. I think they were $30 each, with the regulator :) It was a tedious job but rewarding. Several people at my local airport had recently had airplanes painted and they were between $15,000-25,000. Granted they look awesome. Sure mine has the occasional orange peel, and a few small runs, and a few shadowy areas, but its pretty photogenic don't you think!

Its not the cost, (already invested heavily in application system) so much as ordering the correct quantities with a small "fudge" factor.

I dont want to be left with a large surplus going "off" in the can and even worse would be finding myself short of material and having to wait days/weeks for the additional supplies.

Armature paint application is far from an exact science, unlike in an automotive paint shop, where a skilled tradesperson can pretty well calculate to the "cup" how much paint will be required.

If you start with known surface area, recommended paint coverage, you are more likely to have minimal waste and less chance of down time.

You contradict yourself a bit. If its not about the cost, don't worry about whats left. When your shiny new professional painted airplane or car comes home, you don't have any left over paint. I would tend to hold onto the leftovers for a few months in case any repairs or mods are made during testing and then recycle it responsibility. If you ever need to repaint that wing the hangar door got closed on, just go buy some more of the original stuff.

Its not hard to grab a three view and do the math. You could easily photo copy it onto graph paper to make it a bit easier if you wanted. Add 50% to what you estimate and go buy it :)