Piper Cherokee 180 Cockpit Restoration
Howie Martin used ColorBond LVP Refinisher to restore the cockpit of his classic 1964 Piper Cherokee 180 and it turned out great! We at ColorBond are always excited to see what projects our customers come up with and this was out of the ordinary. However, it’s not so much out of the ordinary considering personal aircraft cockpits are much like automotive interiors, and our customers use ColorBond to restore those all the time.
Piper Aircraft introduced the Cherokee line in the early 1960’s as less expensive alternative to their Piper PA-24 Comanche, a larger and faster personal aircraft with retractable landing gear. The Cherokee line originally featured fixed wheels and lower manufacturing and parts costs, so to be a competitor with the Cessna 172. Later Cherokees also featured retractable landing gear. The Piper Cherokee 180 is of the fixed wheel type. Cherokee production continued until 1972.
Piper Cherokee Restoration
Before he purchased this Piper Cherokee 180, Howie was the personal pilot for the original owner. He fell in love with the plane and decided he had to have it. After Howie obtained the Piper, he began a cockpit restoration which started with repairing warped interior panels and building a spray booth where the panels from inside the plane could be hung for refinishing. He then used ColorBond Prep Cleaner to prepare the panels for ColorBond LVP Refinisher.
Howie says the interior of the Piper Cherokee 180 was originally burgundy, but he wanted something a more classic to go with the vintage plane. So, he decided on a two-tone combination. Using ColorBond OEM Porsche beige colors he painted the seats, rugs, panels and other metal and plastic panels. Howie loves the results “It’s durable, gorgeous and we couldn’t be happier!” he exclaims. Of note: The cost of restoring the interior of this aircraft was quoted at $4,200. Howie spent about $100 on ColorBond.
Howie said using LVP Refinisher was incredibly quick and found only one coat was needed for excellent coverage on most surfaces. “The process was non-complicated and took the interior from looking like a morgue to an ice cream shop!” Check out this video presenting the finished interior!
We’re glad to help Howie to keep flying high!
The variety of items that can be restored and restyled with ColorBond upholstery paint is virtually limitless. Check out it out.
To learn more about ColorBond LVP Refinisher upholstery paint click here.
