Starting from the beginning I bought this 185 last December. I was torn between a 180 and a 185 but on a 180 budget. I came across this aircraft with a ratty interior and with low compression/hightime engine but for the right price and I bit the bullet. I decided to go with a 185 because I travel alot between home and work/other home (KS to NM). Also I travel alot during work chasing other aircraft and crews often hauling multiple people or big parts and when I was 12 years old I used to fly my fathers 185 all over with him. This is when I began to understand what aviation was, so I have a history with the 185 and have always loved them.
Back to the airplane, we got it home and did a top on the IO-520 and I flew her till annual in August. This is where it all began. During annual we did a firewall battery and atlee dodge seats, I figured if I have to re-upholster the back seats i might as well do the front. Then if your going to re-upholster you might as well take that ratty plastic/carpet/orange paint interior out and make it nice like bigrennas 170. Two weeks later if found my self in a daze of sanding, MEK, glue, paint, wiring, and etc. I wanted to start this thread earlier but I've been too tired every night. This project is being completed after work and full day weekends and has been going on for two weeks as of yesterday with a good deal of help from a friend. I pretty well figured out that I can take my daily/nightly goals, cut them in half, then I will know what I will can done.
Here is what I plan on this phase
Strip old plastic, headliner, carpet, ADF and associated wiring, marker beacon, unused wiring, and avionics trays/brackets. (DONE)
Repaint interior white (DONE)
Paint floor and door jams with Zolatone AIM Desert Camo (wanted to do this first, got the floor primed but relized I had the wrong paint gun, should have this complete tomorrow or Thursdayr; should I cut that goal in half? Who knows?)
Install Selkirk Rubber insulation (1/4" on room, 1/2" sides. Decided to go with 1/2" on sides for better noise reduction being that I will be hauling kiddos at a very young age)
Cover roof insulation with some sort of headliner (see sample picture)
Install selkirk fiberglass (ivory white)
New windows, 4" bubble (january install)
LED dome lights (removed old Cessna dome light)
Extended Baggage (I am working on an approval for an "extended" extended baggage but its going to be tough, I have the paper work if anyone wants it, see sample picture)
Hopefully sportsman and WingX this fall (pocket book dependent) and MT/550 next year (gonna be timed out before too long)
I hope to have it in flying condition for a trip to Steamboat on the 28th. (Notice I said flying condition, not finished. This will be tough with the holidays)
Does anyone know of an interior plastic that can be formed in a break similar to what is over the spar on the the finished 185 sample picture?
I apologize if updates are slow over the holidays, thank you all for your support and info on previous threads. I forgot to take pictures in the beginning stages but I will try to get some weights of what I pulled out.
floor primed
This area was extreemly hard to paint right
Formable plastic for this?
My Baggage Goal
Kinda how I want to do my headliner, its just insulation wrapped in a fabric.
Before starting a aircraft painting project make sure you have a way to relieve stress.
