On Monday, December 23, 2019 at 2:32:35 PM UTC-5, Papa3 wrote:
Recent conversation with a well-known commercial glider repair station owner.

Me: How much (ballpark) would it cost to get a 15M glider refinished in Poly. Assume standard crazing and no repairs required.

Him: Wouldn't touch it for less than $25K.

Me: That's not as bad as I thought.

Him: Yeah, well, as soon as you say that I'd raise the price to $30K. And I'd keep raising it until you give up. :-)

Our club is on our 3rd full refinish in the last 8 years (different ships). Even with a dozen or more skilled/semi-skilled helpers available, I'm getting kinda burned out. Couldn't imagine doing 3 or 4 per year!

P3



On Monday, December 23, 2019 at 11:00:16 AM UTC-5, wrote:
On Monday, December 23, 2019 at 10:04:18 AM UTC-5, Nick Kennedy wrote:
A question for Hank Nixon and other refinishers.
How much in 2020 to drop one of these planes off at your shop and get it Completely refinished? All the extras- total price ?
Thanks in advance!

A good bet is to join a couple others and send to M&D or one of the other resources in Europe. I understand cost is about $30,000, plus portion of shipping.
I don't know who in the US is actively seeking refinish work. Maybe Williams in CA, Fidel in NM.
Ball park in the US is about $30K for the whole job if you can find an interested shop.
FWIW
UH

There is a real opportunity in the US for a couple of motivated people to get into the refinishing business. The market is there.
The work is tedious, sometimes tiring, and messy.
I does not require a lot of capital to get started. It does need an experienced person to guide and advise until experience is gained.
The reward is the pleasure of making rats into beauties.
And it can supply an opportunity for steady work.
With the trend to finishing in AU the character of the work has changed a bit.
The removal part is the same as it was. There are some things that can help to shorten he time, but experience must be gained.
The prep for painting is longer than with polyester because the surface must be better. There isn't much to sand out flaws.
Spraying takes a bit more skill.
Sand out and polish is much quicker and easier.
It isn't hopeless, but it isn't trivial either.
UH