Henny wrote:Does anybody have experience ordering permanent Vinyl N-Numbers from any of the online places (sporty's, nnumbers.com, engravers.net, etc.) Looking for a single decal to cover up the 3-inch numbers on each side of a 185 tail. Do any of the places match Imron paint colors? Tried searching forums on a couple different sites, but seems they all quickly diverge into legality of 3 inch versus 12 inch, requirements for ADIZ crossing, why you should never change your N-Number, etc., etc...

Thanks in advance!

So I finally got around to switching the N-numbers (longer than anticipated annual, excessive FAA wait to get approval, ADSB install/verification, work stuff, blah, blah, blah…)

Based on some research and the recommendations here (Thanks Tom and hotrod180) I went with Aerographics and have nothing but good things to say. The folks were friendly, they sent color samples and a print out of what my N-number would look like in several different combinations, and the cost for two 3-inch vinyl N-number sets was less than half of what the local sign shop wanted ($48 plus $3 shipping.)
After speaking with the previous owner, he confirmed that the current N-numbers were vinyl as well and not painted, so I went to work with the heat gun, plastic scraper and Goo Gone…



In addition to the N-numbers, the tail of the aircraft had a bunch of extraneous stuff (Cessna decal, 180/185 club sticker, etc.) that I didn’t want on it, so it took quite a while to get it all off.

Before:



After:



Good riddance:



The instructions were clear and the new numbers went on as advertised:



The finished product:



And the best part is the family is happy!