What DOMs and Chief Pilots Need to Know About Aircraft Repaint Cycles

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

In business aviation, maintenance isn’t just about airworthiness — it’s also about protecting aircraft value, minimizing downtime, and presenting a polished, professional image that reflects well on the owner or operator. One important (but often overlooked) part of that equation is the aircraft repaint cycle.

If you’re a Director of Maintenance (DOM) or Chief Pilot responsible for overseeing aircraft care, understanding when, why, and how to time a repaint can make a significant difference in long-term costs, operational efficiency, and resale value.

At East Coast Aircraft, we partner with aviation professionals every day to plan and execute repaint and interior projects that enhance performance, value, and appearance — without unnecessary downtime. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead of the repaint curve.

Why Aircraft Repaint Cycles Matter

1. Corrosion Protection and Environmental Defense

An aircraft’s paint system isn’t just cosmetic — it’s a protective coating that shields the airframe from corrosion, UV rays, chemicals, and moisture.

Over time, that coating breaks down due to sun exposure, temperature extremes, jet exhaust, and airborne contaminants. Once paint begins to fail, corrosion can quickly follow — especially around seams, rivets, and high-wear areas.

At East Coast Aircraft, we take paint protection seriously. Our process includes detailed surface preparation and corrosion inspection to identify and address any underlying issues before the new paint goes on — extending the life of the aircraft and preventing more costly repairs later.

2. Preserving Resale and Lease Value

Aircraft buyers, appraisers, and lessors notice exterior condition right away. Faded paint, chipped stripes, and dull brightwork don’t just hurt first impressions — they often lead to lower resale offers or costly return conditions at lease-end.

A well-executed repaint adds far more than cosmetic value. Combined with brightwork polishing and custom design support, a fresh paint job can elevate a midsize jet from “serviceable” to “showroom.”

3. Compliance and Inspection Readiness

Faded registration numbers, peeling markings, and worn paint around emergency exits can all create compliance issues during inspections. Worse, deteriorated paint can obscure areas that inspectors need to examine for corrosion or structural integrity.

Our team ensures that all markings are FAA-compliant and visible, and we offer registration number updates as part of our repaint services.

When to Repaint: Key Triggers

1. Visual Signs It’s Time

Watch for:

• • Faded or chalky appearance

• • Peeling, cracking, or flaking

• • Surface “crazing” (fine cracks)

• • Staining that won’t polish out

• • Visible corrosion through paint

If your aircraft no longer reflects your brand — or protects the airframe — it’s time to start planning.

2. Time-Based Guidelines

Most business aircraft benefit from a full repaint every 5 to 7 years, depending on:

• • Flight hours and usage intensity

• • Environmental exposure (sun, salt, humidity)

• • Quality of prior paint job

• • Indoor vs. outdoor storage

At East Coast Aircraft, we inspect the aircraft thoroughly during stripping, sanding, and priming to help determine when a repaint is truly due — and what the right paint system should be for your mission and climate.

3. Special Situations That Call for Early Repainting

• • Branding or ownership changes

• • Pre-sale cosmetic refresh

• • Lease return prep

• • Ramp rash or fuel staining

• • Paint mismatches from repairs

If you know a mission change is coming, we can help you schedule strategically to reduce costs and maximize results.

Best Practices for Managing Repaint Cycles

1. Schedule Repaints After Major Inspections — and Bundle When It Makes Sense

We recommend repainting after major inspections or maintenance events, not during. That way, you avoid rework, panel disruption, or paint damage due to ongoing repairs.

But here’s where smart scheduling really pays off: If you’re taking the aircraft down for a full exterior repaint, it often makes sense to bundle interior refurbishment at the same time.

East Coast Aircraft offers both paint and interior services, including:

• • Cabin refurbishment (panels, headliners, carpets, soft goods)

• • Seating reupholstery or configuration updates

• • Touch-ups to cabinetry and plating

• • Custom aesthetic upgrades to match a new exterior scheme

Bundling paint and interior work in a single visit saves time, reduces scheduling complexity, and gets your aircraft back into service looking brand new — inside and out.

2. Choose the Right Shop

Not all aircraft paint shops are created equal. You want:

• • Aviation-specific processes and certifications
    

• • Climate-controlled hangars for paint quality and curing

• • Proven corrosion detection and repair capability
    

• • Experienced technicians with a track record in business aircraft

• • Custom design and livery support, if desired

• • Co-located interior capabilities to streamline upgrades

At East Coast Aircraft, this is exactly what we do — every day.

3. Budget Realistically and Plan for Downtime

A full strip and repaint typically requires 5 to 7 weeks, depending on the aircraft size, condition, and design complexity.

Rush jobs often skip key prep steps, leading to adhesion problems or early deterioration. We don’t cut corners — and we’ll help you build a realistic schedule that gets results.

4. Add Smart Cosmetic Upgrades During Downtime

If the aircraft is already down for paint, consider adding:

• • New or updated registration numbers

• • Brightwork polishing

• • Protective coatings (like ceramic or clear topcoat options)

• • Custom striping or branding elements

• • Interior refresh (even if limited to seating or soft goods)

These details elevate the finished product and can increase satisfaction for both owners and passengers.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting Too Long

Visible corrosion is often just the tip of the iceberg — and much more expensive to address than a proactive repaint.

Skipping Surface Prep

The best paint system in the world will fail without proper preparation. We never shortcut the foundation work.

Underestimating Downtime

We’ve seen many operators frustrated by unrealistic expectations. 5 to 7 weeks is typical for a full strip and repaint — quality work takes time.

Why East Coast Aircraft?

Located in DeLand, Florida, East Coast Aircraft specializes in high-quality aircraft repainting and interior refurbishment for discerning owners and flight departments.

We bring decades of experience in aircraft aesthetics, surface protection, and aviation standards. Our integrated services, transparent communication, and hands-on project management help you plan with confidence and fly with pride.

Final Thought: Stay Ahead of the Curve

If you’re a DOM or Chief Pilot, you already know that downtime is expensive, corrosion is relentless, and presentation matters. Staying ahead of repaint cycles — and bundling services when appropriate — keeps your aircraft protected, valuable, and mission-ready.

Don’t wait until the paint is peeling or the interior is outdated.

Let’s plan your next upgrade the smart way.

Contact East Coast Aircraft toda