I took my first flight on July 23rd 1988 out of Fox Airport in a C-152, N5383P. Like most of us, I knew immediately that aviation would certainly become a big part of my life. Within the next year, I passed my VFR/SEL check ride, bought a 1974 PA28/140 Cherokee, started an aircraft detailing company, and quit my regular full time job. Since that time I've owned several other generic planes, but never seemed to hit on the "just right" plane for me.

Then around October of 2000, I decided I needed something faster. I started looking at the dreaded V-Tailed Bonanza's and was quickly discouraged after reviewing the logbooks on several of them. I then realized that the V-tail might be a mechanics dream (job security), but an owner's nightmare "high maintenance".

Then one day I was working with a trainee on detailing a 1963 M20C at my shop. It was like an epiphany, I immediately thought to myself that this could be the perfect plane for me! At that point I had detailed well over 2500 airplanes of various makes and models and never once asked an owner for a ride. This time however, I did ask the owner (Bob McNutt) for a little x-country ride to APV and back. Between that flight and the research I studied, I was sold on Mooney's. My research led me to believe a 1965 M20C would be most suitable for my needs. Then the Mooney quest began.

The perfect Mooney for me would be one with poor paint, avionics, panel and upholstery. I wanted these items done my way, just for me. I didn't want to pay a higher price for somebody else's choice of paint, panel & interior. However a lower to mid-time engine and airframe was a must. My quest brought me to La Port, TX in December of 2000 where I found my 1965 "C" model with 628 SMOH and 2610 TTAF. Since that time, the plane has been a continuous flying project.

My first priority was getting it mechanically sound and free of squawks. Then came the exterior appearance. I wanted something different. Something classic, yet modernized. After 10 weeks of working on this project mostly by myself, while my employees worked on our customers planes, the exterior was completed. Next project will be the panel, then the upholstery.

These photos will walk you through the combination paint/polish project:

These pictures were taken in La Port, TX where I bought the plane.

  

As soon as time allowed, I just had to dive into the project and start destroying the paint job a.s.a.p.

  

  

Now would be a good time to put in a couple of back-breaking weeks of raw aluminum polishing.
Fortunately for me, being in this business and being responsible for all the training of our new companies,
we were able to use my Mooney as a training platform for aluminum polishing. ;-)

  

After being cleanly stripped, polished and masked,
it's ready for the Jet-Glo wash primer, and primer application.

  

I then shot it with Jet-Glo, jet black polyuerothane.

  

Started adding the first of 3 color pin stripes, and the vinyl graphics.

  

A couple more colors of pin stripes and the exterior is completed.

Now for a little break...and hopefully lots of flying!

Next Project...Beautifying this hideous panel!!!

Richard Todd
October 2003