Bringing Catalan Style to Aerospace Coatings

With more than 40 years’ aircraft painting experience and having originally starting out as an apprentice in the automotive sector, Dave has just about seen it all. Having worked for exceptional MROs such as MAAS Aviation, as Production Support Manager, and ‘product side’ for AkzoNobel, including six years in Bangkok, he’s seen the challenge from both perspectives. He went into this one with his eyes wide open.

At the heart of the beautiful design is AkzoNobel’s basecoat/clearcoat system, but that only tells a fraction of the story. Having been given a template from which to work by the AkzoNobel Aerospace Marketing Communications team, Dave set about turning a concept into reality. Some 13 colors had to be formulated, mixed and skilfully applied to achieve the different shades, blends and special effects he was looking for.

After priming, sanding and preparing the surface, the panel was sprayed gray, clear coated and peelable decals applied to frame the borders to the individual shapes. The colors were then painted in sequence, the darker blues first, until the artwork was complete after which a further two layers of clearcoat were added and the surface polished to achieve the perfect finish.

Dave spent more than 30-hours on the job which comprised 36 individual painting steps and included the use of both solid colors and those with special effects that will make the design dazzle and shine beneath the exhibition lights.

Dave was supported in the project by Sean Magness, Technical Consultant: “It was a team effort,” Dave says, “from the original marketing concept to the final design. We wanted something that showcased what you can achieve with our paints and do so in a way that celebrated the color and life of the Catalan region. We hope visitors to MRO Europe stop by and take a look."