Aircraft Paint Supplies
Paints, primers, surface prep, application tools, and masking supplies for aircraft painting and coating operations.
Jaco has the products you need to get the job done on time, with materials that meet your specifications, whether you're doing some touch-ups on a control surface, completely refinishing an entire aircraft, or supporting a scheduled paint check at an MRO. We'll even source products that aren't listed and have them shipped directly to your hangar.
What Makes Prep So Critical When Painting an Airplane?
If you use the wrong method to clean a surface, you may leave unnecessary contaminants. This can prevent the topcoat from adhering correctly. It can also cause the topcoat to separate. If the topcoat separates, you will have to start again. Inadequate preparation can cause poor adhesion, bleeding edges, dirt caught in the paint, and overspray on sensitive areas.
Aircraft surfaces also present unique challenges. These are all examples of items that must be protected during the painting process:
- Static Ports
- Pitot Tubes
- Antennas
- Windows
- Landing Gear
Aircraft Surface Preparation
Technicians use a plastic scraper to remove dried sealant around fasteners so they don't scratch the aluminum or composite underneath. To scuff old coatings before priming, they use 3M Scotch-Brite general-purpose hand pads instead of sandpaper.
A flexible spreader can apply fairing compound evenly across all panels in one pass. This greatly reduces the amount of sanding needed and gets the panels ready for primer much faster.
Spray guns aren't practical for touching up a single chipped fastener head. Minor touch-ups like this on the flight line are typically done with a paintbrush, applying primer first, then topcoat. This lets the aircraft keep operating without going into the paint shop.
If you eyeball the mix ratio of a two-part primer, you may not realize it's incorrect until the panel remains sticky the next day. That's why painters use graduated mixing cups. We have these in stock, along with the strainers and tack cloths you'll need.
Aircraft Masking and Overspray Protection
Regular kraft paper absorbs solvent and lets primer bleed through onto a window you thought you protected. For large areas such as windows and panels, polyethylene-coated PolyKraft paper provides a better barrier. It keeps solvent and paint on the paper's surface instead of letting them soak through.
Overspray travels. When working on your aircraft, place a drop cloth over any ground support equipment close enough to the booth. This will prevent the trouble of cleaning up primer from a tug when you're done. Protective boots on wheels, tires, and brakes can help prevent overspray from getting onto those parts of your aircraft, which would otherwise require a full cleaning and inspection process at the end of the project.
Which Thinners and Cleaners Work With My Aircraft Coating?
We can provide the correct thinners and cleaners if your specification calls for a Sherwin-Williams, DuPont, or Deft coating.
Jaco: Aircraft Paint Supplier to Airlines, MROs, and Governments Since 1971
Since 1971, Jaco Aerospace has supplied aircraft supplies and maintenance consumables to airlines, MROs, government agencies, and private operators. When available, we can provide Certificates of Conformance (CoC) and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for the products we distribute. Send us a list of the materials needed for a scheduled repaint, and we will provide a complete quote. Jaco ships internationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between aircraft primer and aircraft topcoat?
Primer is applied first. It bonds to the prepared metal or composite. On aluminum, primer also helps prevent corrosion. Most primers are epoxy-based. After the primer is applied, the topcoat goes on. The most widely used topcoat is polyurethane. This type of coating offers UV protection and resistance to liquids such as hydraulic fluid. It also determines the finished product's appearance. Your process specification will identify which products you should use.
Do aircraft paints and primers expire?
Yes. Paints and primers each have a certain amount of "shelf life" as determined by the manufacturer. After that time, the product will continue to deteriorate in quality. We recommend checking the expiration date on both the product label and the Certificate of Conformance prior to starting any project. When asking for quotes for time-sensitive projects, please ask about lot dates.
Can aircraft paint and solvents be shipped internationally?
Yes, but there are restrictions. Many paints, primers, and thinners are classified as hazardous materials and must be properly packaged and labeled. Some of these items cannot ship on passenger aircraft and may require additional processing time for international orders. Please provide us with your destination when requesting a quote so that we can check shipping options.
Aircraft Paint Supply Categories
Surface Preparation
Scrapers can scrape away cured sealant from surfaces without harming the underlying material. Hand pads (Scotch-Brite) can roughen an existing finish in areas such as fasteners and corners. Spreaders can apply fairing compound evenly, reducing the amount of sanding required before applying primer.
Application Tools
Paint brushes can be used for small touch-up jobs that would be difficult to accomplish with a spray gun, such as a single chipped fastener head or a scuffed panel edge. Painters can use graduated mixing cups to ensure two-part primer is mixed in the correct ratio. Strainers and tack cloths help remove debris from the finish before spraying.
Masking & Protection
Polyethylene-coated PolyKraft paper is an excellent choice for masking windows and large panels because it prevents solvents from soaking through. Use protective boots to cover wheels, tires, and brakes to protect them from overspray.
Looking for a Part Number?
Search the site by part number or paint supply category. If you can't find it, send us the part number and we'll locate it for you.
Need a quote on aircraft paint supplies? Send us your part numbers or usage list, and we'll reply with pricing and availability.
Send us your part numbers or usage list for pricing and availability.
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