We get a lot of great questions here at aerographicsdesign.com, as well as over the phone and at our various show appearances.  Since many of these questions are essentially the same, we are posting the most common questions and their answers here.

Don't see your questions here, click here to send it to us and we will answer it.

Do you make decals or paint masks?

We make both decals as well as computer cut spray masks for painting.  Any of our existing designs, as well as custom designs created by us or by other talented designers such as Schemedesigners can be produced as either a decal or as a spray mask.

Should I use decals or a spray mask?

Depends on your goals for your airplane and to an extent, the type of airplane you fly.

For builders\operators who desire a true show quality finish, or who operate in extremely difficult environments (above FL180 and 250KIAS), we typically recommend spray masks.  They will save you or your painter literally hundreds of hours, and give you crisp, sharp paint lines that can be consistently repeated from one airplane to thousands.

For the average sportplane builder or aircraft owner\restorer, our high-performance vinyl graphics packages provide a great appearance that can be installed quickly and which will save the customer thousands over custom paint.

Can I use your spray mask with my fill-in-the-blank paint system?

Paint systems vary greatly in terms of their chemical makeup and therefore their compatibility with our mask materials.  That being said, we essentially utilize two types of spray masks, vinyl-based and paper-based.

Vinyl-based masks are preferable for the crisp lines they offer, their durability for storage, and their reasonable pliability when dealing with compound shapes.  Our vinyl-based spray masks are compatible with most water-based and low volatiles paint systems.  We recommend that you test the paint on a small piece of the mask material to ensure compatibility.

Paper-based masks are required when using solvent-based paints and dopes (e.g., Stits) and when using vinylized paint systems (e.g., Polytone).

Will your decals actually stick or will they peel off of my fill-in-the-blank aircraft?

Our materials have demonstrated that with good surface preparation and without an edge seal, that they will adhere to aircraft surfaces at speeds beyond 250 KIAS.  We often joke that if the decals are leaving your plane, other parts probably are going with them.  For aircraft with very high cruise speeds, 250 KIAS and above, we do recommend using an edge seal, a clear acrylic sealant, applied with a special pen, to secure the leading edge of any graphics on the forward 1/3 to 1/2 of the aircraft.  We provide the edge seal pens free of cost for graphic installations on aircraft with cruise speeds above 250 KIAS.

As an option, if you are using a base coat\clear coat paint system, any vinyl registration numbers or graphics can be mounted to the color coat before the top coat is applied assuming the window between coats allows enough time to install the graphics.

How much do these decals cost?

As with any creative item, costs can vary widely for graphics.  Simple N Numbers are $95 for a set of 12" marks, a basic two color stripe package similar to that seen on the modern Cessna 172 or 182 average about $600-700 including N Number.  Full blown custom stripe or spray mask sets for popular sportplanes like the Glasair III, Sportsman 2+2, or Van's RV series can run from $900 up to $1700.  Larger aircraft, such as the Cessna 421B, King Air C-90, etc., can reach $2000 and sometimes more.  We always say that the only limitation to what we can create is the customers creativity and budget.

The advantage offered by the graphics and spray masks produced at AeroGraphics Design is that they allow you to have a great finish in far less time and for significantly less money than a full custom paint-job.  Recent figures for basic 2 color paint jobs on RV-6's range from as little as $3500 to as much as $7000.  Keep in mind that many show winners have paint jobs costing $12,000 and more.

If you are painting your aircraft yourself, our spray masks allow you to tackle complicated paint schemes knowing they will be symmetrical, left to right, giving you a high quality finish while also saving you hundreds of hours of taping and re-taping the different colors for your paint design.

Can you reproduce my old Squadron Patch or specific Nose and Tail Art or Logos?

We are happy to reproduce squadron insignias, as well as nose and tail art or logos.  If the artwork is copyrighted you will need to secure permission for us to use it, or we will have to create something similar and charge for the graphic artist time - it is always best to check and see if you can get permission to use the art or find that it is not copyrighted.  Examples of copyrighted material are the Superman Logo, and certain Vargas Girl type pieces of nose and tail art.

I don't feel like trying this myself, can you install them for me?

Yes.  While we believe that most of the packages we produce can be installed by anyone with average mechanical skills and patience, we understand the desire to have the work done by a professional.  We are happy to install our products on your aircraft.  We charge $375 a day plus expenses (1/2 day minimum charge) and can install at any of the area airports in and near our Albuquerque headquarters (KABQ, KAEG, KSAF).  We have also traveled to our customers' base airports and shops to install on-site.  Installations average 1 to 1.5 days for average graphics packages, and are typically scheduled 3 to 4 weeks in advance to limit costs for transportation.

What colors are available?

Click here for our basic color chart.  Because different computers and monitors do not always reproduce colors the same way, we will send out color samples on request to customers of record.

What kind of warranty do you offer?

AeroGraphics Design offers a 2-year warranty against fading or peeling when graphics are installed by the customer or their agent.

AeroGraphics Design offers a 5-year warranty against fading or peeling when graphics are installed by AeroGraphics Design or by an authorized Installer.

What kind of logbook entry is required?

This answer is specific to US registered aircraft and is not intended as legal advice - because there can be a wide variation in interpretation of the FAR's by different inspectors, we advise you check with your local FSDO or the EAA or AOPA if you have any questions about the best method to deal with logbook entries.  For other than US registered aircraft, check with your local aviation authority.

IMPORTANT - Click here to visit the FAA website for the current regulations - FAR 43 addresses the maintenance aspects and FAR 91 addresses the operational aspects.

We recommend that you make the same kind of logbook entry following application of graphics that you would make following any other cosmetic work on your aircraft.  Typically, a simple maintenance logbook entry stating graphics were applied (for vinyl graphics), or that paint was applied will be sufficient.  The regulatory basis is FAR 43.3(g) and FAR 43 Appendix A paragraph (c)(9) as discussed below.

What rules and regulations apply to my airplane for registration markings?

This answer is specific to US registered aircraft and is not intended as legal advice - because there can be a wide variation in interpretation of the FAR's by different inspectors, we advise you check with your local FSDO or the EAA or AOPA if you have any questions.  For other than US registered aircraft, check with your local aviation authority.

IMPORTANT - Click here to visit the FAA website for the current regulations - FAR 43 here addresses the maintenance aspects, FAR 45 here addresses Markings and Sizes, and FAR 91 here addresses the operational aspects.

FAR 43.3(g) is the operating FAR paragraph for graphic installation, under the concept of cosmetic maintenance as defined in FAR 43 Appendix A(c)(9).

FAR 43.7 provides the definitions of authorized persons and their responsibilities.

FAR 43.9 provides the information to be recorded in a maintenance logbook entry, essentially a description of work performed, the date the work was completed, the name of the person performing the work, the signature and certificate number of the person performing the work (return to service).

FAR 45.1 - 45.33 provides the information needed to establish registration number style and size.

FAR 91.405(a) requires the owner or operator of an aircraft to ensure that maintenance personnel make entries describing work performed and clearing the aircraft to return to service.  If your A&P or technician install graphics or repaint your aircraft, ensure they make the appropriate entry in your maintenance logbook.  If you performed the work, make an entry yourself in accordance with FAR 43.3(g).

FAR 91.407(a) basically reiterates the guidance of FAR 91.405(a) with respect to the actual operation of the aircraft.

Do you ship graphics overseas?

Yes.  We are happy to design and produce graphics or spray masks for international customers and we will work with you to determine any specific needs for your local aviation authority.

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voice (505)293-5914 - fax (505)296-5580 - info@aerographicsdesign.com

All images and content are property of AeroGraphics Design, Copyright 1992-2007, All Rights Reserved.

The designs, images and information shown here may not be copied, reproduced or applied to any aircraft without the express written permission of AeroGraphics Design.