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Backcountry Pilot • "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

"just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

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"just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

What do you guys think? I just got up to Florida to look at this plane and maybe take it home. The plane was supposed to have no corrosion whatsoever, but I can clearly see some signs just from the outside. What do you guys think? Im going to have it brought over for a formal and in-depth pre buy inspection today. Should I keep looking for other airplanes? Engines, props, interior, things can always be changed, but Im aweful afraid of a serious corrosion problem.

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ington6 offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

I would look in the tail and pull a section of carpet to pull a floor plate. I suspect you just saw the tip of the iceberg.
Mark Y. offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

As the old saying goes "You can take the plane out of Florida, but you can't take Florida out of the plane!"

Of course every plane buyer wants a "No Corrosion, No damage history" plane, but in reality that's pretty hard to come by.

Hard to tell but is the paint fairly recent? I have seen some paint jobs with shitty prep done. They look good for a few years then start bubbling up under the paint. Also depending on the plane it may have zinc chromate on the inside which may help.

Get it inspected and make the decision from there.
It may not be bad or you may want to run away!!!
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

Where there is smoke, there is likely a fire.
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

I think I'd walk away and not even inspect. Clearly this aircraft is grossly misrepresented at the outset. That appears to be more than just a bad prep job on the surface. I suspect there will be many more surprises should you choose to inspect and move forward.

Curious what the sellers' response to your question of "you said not corrosion" and point all of this out to them.

MW
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

He said "thats just surface rust. A little sand paper and paint will fix that". He also told me there was no damage history but I found 2 accidents in the past, one of them nose gear collapse, when doing my paperwork search. He also told me the engine was overhauled in 2015 but after under contract told me 2004. So it is timed out. He has been reluctant to work on the price with me at all. Soo...... walk away?
ington6 offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

185Midwest wrote:I think I'd walk away and not even inspect. Clearly this aircraft is grossly misrepresented at the outset. That appears to be more than just a bad prep job on the surface. I suspect there will be many more surprises should you choose to inspect and move forward.

Curious what the sellers' response to your question of "you said not corrosion" and point all of this out to them.

MW



I would be embarrassed as the seller, even more as a broker, especially when the buyer is flying all the way from Colorado. Do they think since someone flew all that way they will just buy it?...
Mark Y. offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

ington6 wrote:He said "thats just surface rust. A little sand paper and paint will fix that". He also told me there was no damage history but I found 2 accidents in the past, one of them nose gear collapse, when doing my paperwork search. He also told me the engine was overhauled in 2015 but after under contract told me 2004. So it is timed out. He has been reluctant to work on the price with me at all. Soo...... walk away?



After all those lies - RUN! Don't waste a frickin dime more on any professional inspections. The seller is an absolute crook obviously. Why would you even consider a Florida plane? Especially when you live so far from there?

DON"T FALL IN LOVE or try to justify since you came all that way ready to fly it home.
Mark Y. offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

You’ve already spent too much on the travel costs. Don’t get any deeper. Time to exercise the return portion of your ticket.
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

It is worse. I live in Costa Rica now. I flew international, paid and received my Covid PCR test, flew off the Nicoya Peninsula, spent the night at a hotel in the capital and THEN flew to Florida...
ington6 offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

What's your spec's and budget? Might be able to find you another candidate in short order. Many here love shopping with other peoples money! BUT... on a serious note - someone here might know word of mouth of a perfect one for you
Mark Y. offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

I would love a straight tail 182. Fits my mission perfect. Budget all depends on the plane details. I was planning on putting a Pponk/Sportsman on this one and 8.50's.
ington6 offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

I wouldn't walk away, I would RUN away!


Kurt
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

Either the owner has no idea of what is going on with the aircraft, or they know and are willing to stick it to you. Either way, time to move on.

Chris
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

Mark Y. offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

ington6 wrote:. Soo...... walk away?



No......Run!!!!
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

I’ll echo what the others have said. If the seller doesn’t even know that rust doesn’t form on aluminum I would seriously suspect his other claims.

Be patient, you’ll find something


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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

Yeah it is. Looks good on paper.
ington6 offline
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Re: "just surface rust" they say. Tales of the FL Inspection

Damn, that sucks. Sorry you had to travel all that way only to find out it isn’t what you expected. Asking $120k for and old 182 with issues seems insane. Idk, seems like for that kind of money you could pay a guy to find, install the stuff you want and have ready a really nice 182.
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