
Airline liveries
Some airlines require elaborate designs on their
aircraft.
Airlines will spend a great deal of time and
resources to get a colour scheme on their aircraft which
reflects the image it wants to project to the
world.
Due to the expansion of the low-cost carriers
and the rebranding of charter airlines, the demand for
aircraft repainting and consequently, aircraft
paints.
The facility, a fully equipped painting bay, is
temperature and humidity controlled and can be used to
accommodate aircraft up to the size of a 757-300.
Lighting and an air extraction system and the required
flame-proofing has to be in place. A tail dock system
enables the fin to be worked on.
Aircraft paints
Acrylic urethane and polyester urethane paints
are the most common when it comes to painting aircraft.
They come in two parts that are mixed just before
application, which interact chemically with each other in
a process called polymerization to provide a hard,
durable finish.
Aviation paints manufacturers include Pratt and
Lambert, Sherwin-Williams, PRC Desoto (PPG), Akzo Nobel,
and Axon. Jet Glo and Acry Glo by Sherwin-Williams are
two popular brands.
Typically, one coat of corrosion primer is laid
down followed by two to three successive coats of paint;
then any decorative striping and clear coat are applied.
High-end business jet paint requirements go a step
further, requiring a sanding surfacer to be applied after
the corrosion primer.
Aircraft paints selection is where the most
serious errors occur in aviation. Dry film thicknesses of
each paint layer as directed by the coatings manufacturer
must be strictly adhered to by the aircraft refinisher
for corrosion resistance, long-term durability, and gloss
retention.
Aircraft paints use resins with their own unique
heat and humidity requirements for proper curing. Heat,
air movement, and in some cases, humidity control, are
important in creating the right painting
environment.

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