Piper aircraft paint for touching up
 

Does anyone know where I can get the paint for a 2005 Piper arrow - I have the code numbers for each colour from the front of the log book. Ideally looking for aerosol cans and ideally in the UK, but would import from the US if necessary. Thanks in advance for your help.

I think it's highly likely that the shade will have changed in the past 16 years. My advice wold be to visit a specialist aviation paint shop. They could at least Panitone-match the paint for you and advise how it should be applied. You'll need the work to be overseen or indeed be carried out by your CAMO.

TOO

Most regions of the UK are bound to have a specialist vehicle paint supplier. They will be used to supplying specialist paints for classic cars etc and will normally be able to provide the paint in aerosol cans, usually while you wait.

If you can take a section showing the current faded paint they should be able to match it. The code numbers will obviously help. The CAMO, by the way, only ensures that any work done on the aeroplane is permissible, done correctly and also properly recorded. Its unlikely that touch ups will require much if any paperwork but you can consult the CAMO, of course, to be on the safe side. Make sure that all corrosion is removed and the bare metal is then etch primed or you will be doing it all again in not too long henceforth.

I can't speak for Piper colours, but I have had great experience buying Cessna colours at my local auto paint shop. They have been able to mix paint based upon the "Cessna" name for the colour. If your plane has original Piper paint, try that first, the worst they can do is say that they cannot. If it's not original "named"/numbered Piper paint, take an inspection panel in for scanning. Again, auto body repair shops seem pretty good at this! I'd avoid spray can paint, in favour of two part urethane, applied with a spray gun.

The generic GA white is frequently called "Matterhorn White" . I have found that Dupli-Color BGM0387 / WA5111 is an excellent match for minor touch ups on many generic-white aircraft. It can be wet sanded and buffed to blend with the existing paint. I don't know if there is an equivalent brand on your side of the pond, maybe they call it Dupli-Colour over there? For a more durable option or larger areas, you can now buy 2-part catalyst cured polyurethane paint in a spray can. You get 24 hours to use it once you push on the big red button to activate it. However, it generally cannot be cut and buffed as all the gloss is in the outer skin.

https://www.aerotouchups.com/1201502...k12015022.html

I own a 77 Archer. White with the Piper Blue and Gold stripe design. The paint work will have various shades of each colour caused by ageing and sun light. The paint underneath will probably be similar to the original. That on top is now probably a unique colour.

In the UK (and previously EASA) there is no stipulation on where you source your paint from, only that the job needs to be signed off as safe by your Licencing engineer. Consequently I've sourced all my paints from a classic car dealer and his approved paint supplier.

Take an area of each colour (if you can) and get them computer matched. However, take care on who does the matching as I've had some companies simply look at an inspection panel, nip out the back and come back with a perfect match, to others who needed three days and sold me litres of complete garbage that had to be thrown away. Find your nearest automotive paint shop (one that does high end cars) and ask who they use.

An aerosol touch up paint is unlikely to match. That said, the Blue on mine is a straight Dacia colour.