Vinyl Wrapping of Aircraft

[Andrew Gardner]

Having seen a few "vinyl wrapped" cars on the M25 I wondered about whether the process had been tried on aircraft yet and a brief check indicates that it seems to be being experimented with and used in the USA :-

http://www.dsigraphics.com/index.php?op ... &Itemid=57

http://www.aircraftwraps.com

http://www.planevinyl.com

Does anyone have any experience of it (in general) and what would the LAA's view be on applying it to suitable permit aircraft?

Allegedly it is somewhat lighter than an equivalent paint job but durability does not seem to be so good at present.

[mike newall]

Looking at it as we speak.

There are wrapped aeroplanes in the UK, so I presume LAA LAA don't have an issue with it.

I would have a question our two.

Do you prime ?

Do you apply a neutral base coat ?

Having sprayed our RV7, I would be interested to here what others think re base preparation.

[Andrew Gardner]

The glider/sailplane doing aeros at Aero Expo this year had a wrapped finish (not sure what he base for it was though!)

[Bill McCarthy]

How heavy is the stuff ?

[StuyG]

According to some of the info coming out of America it is lighter than paint but I am not sure sure if that includes any corrosion protection first which I think would be essential here in the UK?

Does anybody know what LAA engineering's view on wrapping a whole plane would be?