Below is a list of items that should be used as a checklist when having your Conquest painted. There are many good paint shops in the country and many poor ones as well. ProFlight recommends Higgins Aircraft Paint and Interiors in Ardmore, OK. All paint shops have their issues, and we've found Higgins to be the most consistent year after year. Painting your aircraft is a huge investment and you should expect only the highest quality workmanship.

This list can be useful for any paint shop, and should be used as a starting point in your discussions with your paint shop contact. Inspect your aircraft closely before flying it away - warranty can be expensive if you live far away. Always plan on spending a full day or two at the paint shop when you take delivery to work through the squawks. Even the best paint shops seem to be unable to deliver a squawk-free paint job. And of course, a very, very thorough prefight must be performed when picking your plane up from any paint shop.


Paint Shop Checklist — click here to download a pdf version

	Fix any fuel leaks prior to painting
	NEVER install avionics during a paint/interior refurb... do it before so it can be tested!
	Always use chemical stripper
	Use Jet-Glo paint
	Use thick filler/sealer primer coat
	Fix leaky/loose rivets (if any) and inspect for sanded rivets
	Do not paint antennas - spray can only
	No drips around rivets - do not tolerate
	No dry spots or orange peel - do not tolerate
	No runs or sags anywhere - do not tolerate
	No dry paint under wings - do not tolerate
	Do not paint screws that will be removed for inspections - use new stainless screws
	Zoots fasteners must be replaced or free of paint - do not paint them
	Caulk bead around passenger windows
	Paint wheel wells and flap area with zinc-chromate primer (green)
	Polish spinners and exhaust stubs
	Re-paint props
	Re-chrome pitot-tubes if necessary
	Static ports must be polished and NOT painted
	Re-paint black anti-static paint around boots
	All ground straps must be grounded to BARE metal when re-attaching control surfaces
	Static wicks must be properly grounded to BARE metal
	Radome must be properly inspected for cracks, cleaned and grounded
	Use a non-yellowing radome nose boot - a few more $$ but well worth it
	Tow-limit indicator block must be re-painted red
	Oxygen blow-out disc must be re-painted green
	All placards must be re-installed
	Paint in nose baggage area if necessary
	Paint nose baggage jam/sill area
	Paint door sill/jam/entry area
	Polish baggage door latches - do not paint them or they will chip right away
	Replace all baggage door and cabin door locks with Medeco locks if necessary
	Remove clamps from around landing gear prior to painting the struts
	Do not paint OAT or TAT probe
	Do not paint fuel caps