By Marta Nobrega, President of East Coast Aircraft Paint and Interior

In business aviation, appearances do matter — not just for brand consistency or pride of ownership, but for cold, hard value. Whether you’re a broker preparing to list an aircraft, an owner planning to upgrade, or a Director of Maintenance tasked with making smart investments before resale, repainting your aircraft isn’t just about aesthetics. Done strategically, it’s a financial decision with real return.

At East Coast Aircraft, we work with sellers, brokers, and flight departments who are preparing aircraft for resale or lease return. One of the most impactful — and often overlooked — elements of that preparation is a professional paint refresh.

Here’s how a fresh exterior finish (and interior, when it makes sense) influences resale price, buyer perception, and time on market.

1. First Impressions Are Expensive

In a competitive sales environment, the exterior condition of an aircraft speaks volumes before a potential buyer ever reviews logbooks or checks cycles. Just as curb appeal increases home value, aircraft paint quality influences buyer psychology and pricing expectations.

✈️ What Buyers See:

• Oxidation, fading, or “chalking” reads as poor maintenance.
  
• Chipped or mismatched touch-up paint signals cut corners.
  
• Outdated paint schemes can give the impression of an older, less market-relevant aircraft — even if the engines are freshly overhauled.

Aircraft appraisers and prospective buyers often begin evaluations before they even enter the cabin. A jet with a glossy, cohesive exterior sets a positive tone for the entire inspection.

“In our experience, brokers often tell us a fresh paint job reduces buyer objections and supports higher list prices — especially when paired with a clean (new) interior.” — Marta Nobrega, East Coast Aircraft

2. Quantifying the Value: Does Repainting Pay Off?

While repainting isn’t inexpensive, it’s one of the few upgrades that can directly influence resale value and buyer readiness.

📊 Industry Insights:

• JetNet IQ and Conklin & de Decker reports have consistently shown that well-maintained paint and interior can increase resale value by 3–7% — a substantial return on investment, especially on mid-size and large jets.
  
• According to an Aircraft Bluebook survey, first impressions (including paint condition) are consistently cited among the top three reasons buyers eliminate aircraft from consideration.

While values vary by aircraft class, the resale impact of a fresh exterior is especially pronounced in:

• High-net-worth individual buyers (image-driven)
• Charter operators seeking fleet consistency
• Brokers trying to shorten time on market
  

3. Paint Fatigue or Strategic Refresh?

Not every aircraft needs a full strip and repaint. But when signs of wear begin to appear — or if you’re preparing for market — it pays to assess the exterior objectively.

✅ Visual Cues That Signal It’s Time:

• Fading or uneven gloss
  
• Micro-cracks or “crazing” near rivets and seams
  
• Peeling at high-wear areas (wing roots, engine cowls, leading edges)
  
• Color mismatch due to repairs or touch-ups
  
• Outdated or misaligned striping
  
• Staining or discoloration that won’t polish out
• Superficial corrosion

At East Coast Aircraft, we provide both full repaint services and paint restoration options when a full strip isn’t yet necessary — ideal for late-stage lifecycle aircraft prepping for a final sale or lease return.

4. Lease Returns and Paint Compliance

Lessees know that returning an aircraft to “as delivered” condition is a key lease requirement — and paint quality is often part of that checklist.

Whether it’s restoring the original scheme, touching up required markings, or ensuring consistent gloss levels, proper exterior presentation reduces the risk of costly lease-end penalties.

We often work with operators and lease managers in the months leading up to return to:

• Match original paint codes
• Reapply proper registration numbers
• Polish brightwork and correct faded areas
• Ensure all exit and safety markings are clearly visible
  

This proactive approach prevents last-minute rejections and protects residual value.

5. The Branding Boost: Look the Part, Sell the Part

Just as real estate agents stage homes before showing them, aircraft brokers are increasingly leaning on presentation upgrades to justify list price and accelerate sales.

A sleek paint scheme aligned with contemporary design trends — or simply a refresh that removes oxidation and touch-up marks — positions the aircraft as “turnkey,” reducing perceived hassle and making it easier for buyers to envision it as their own.

➤ Small Details That Make a Big Impression:

• Brightwork polishing (leading edges, engine inlets, tail cones)
  
• Modernized stripe colors and layout
  
• High-gloss finishes and clear coats
  
• Updated registration numbers in custom fonts or layouts
  

We’ve seen sellers command stronger offers simply because the aircraft “looked the part” during the walkaround — especially in a price-sensitive market.

6. Bundle Interior Touch-Ups for Maximum ROI

Pairing a repaint with interior upgrades makes strategic sense when resale is on the horizon. Even if a full interior refurbishment isn’t needed, small updates can support a faster sale.

Smart Upgrades to Consider:

• Reupholstering seats (or even just armrests)
• Updating headliner or sidewalls
• Replacing high-wear carpet
• Recoating trim or cabinetry
• Addressing minor cosmetic damage
  

Because East Coast Aircraft specializes in both paint and interiors, our team can manage all of this simultaneously — helping reduce downtime and keep prep costs under control.

7. Downtime Planning: Paint Adds Weeks, But Saves Months

A full strip and repaint typically requires 5 to 7 weeks, depending on aircraft size, condition, and complexity. When resale is looming, this timeline may seem long — but skipping it often costs more in reduced offers, slow time on market, and extended holding costs.

We help clients plan:

• Exterior refresh and brightwork
• FAA-compliant registration markings
• Interior touch-ups
• Photo-ready prep for listing (interior and exterior)
  

All within a single visit.

8. Choosing the Right Shop Matters

Not all paint jobs are equal. The wrong vendor can cause more problems than they solve — from overspray and adhesion issues to improper corrosion treatment and mismatched colors.

At East Coast Aircraft, we offer:

• Complete strip, sand, prime, and repaint
• Corrosion inspection and treatment
• Brightwork polishing and protective coatings
• Custom design and registration number assistance
• FAA marking compliance
• Co-located interior services to streamline updates

We operate out of DeLand, Florida (KDED), with over 1,500 projects completed across turboprops, light jets, and long-range business aircraft. Our experienced team understands the visual and technical requirements of selling aircraft — and helps you meet both.

Final Thought: Ready to Sell? Paint for Results.

If you’re planning to list your aircraft within the next 6–12 months, start the conversation now. A well-timed repaint and interior refresh can:

✅ Protect resale value

✅ Reduce time on market

✅ Improve buyer confidence

✅ Justify your list price

✅ Prevent last-minute delays from cosmetic issues

✈️ Let’s Get Your Aircraft Sale-Ready

Whether you’re coordinating with a broker, preparing for a lease return, or just planning a strategic upgrade, East Coast Aircraft is here to help.

🔧 Paint + Interior

📍 DeLand, FL

🛩️ Results-driven. Detail-obsessed.