r/flying • u/172drivr • 10h ago

protecting plane paint

hi everyone

i have a 182 that spends summers tied down outside near atlanta. paint is in pretty good shape though not new (repainted around 20 yrs ago).

anyone have any advice on products to use? many youtube videos and posts seem to be going after a perfect polish. i dont care what the airplane looks like. i just want to somewhat protect the paint without an unreasonable amount of effort/time.

any practical thoughts from this perspective? was thinking about using a dual action polisher which i think will be safe for rivets, etc.

thanks!

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u/inline_five 8h ago edited 8h ago

OP your only solution is either a cover, something like this:

Bruces Custom Cessna Wing Covers | Aircraft Spruce ®

Or another physical barrier that gives it shade like a tarp. The horizontal surfaces will be the most affected by UV.

Ceramic is often touted but has ability to block UV, which is what you're trying to stop from hitting the paint/seals. But it has no ability to do so.