Aircraft paint job cost by model is one of the most searched—and most misunderstood—numbers in general aviation.
Owners often want a single dollar figure, but the actual cost depends on the aircraft, surface-preparation method, paint design, condition of the existing finish, and the scope of any repair, disassembly, marking, or modification work included in the project.
To make the numbers more useful, this article presents real, scope-specific quote examples issued by JetPro Finish between January 2025 and July 2026.
These are historical project quotes, not fixed packages or guaranteed prices. They are provided to show where different aircraft and project scopes have landed and to help owners understand what may affect their own aircraft paint quote.
For a broader explanation of aircraft painting costs, preparation, project scope, and pricing factors, see our 2026 aircraft painting cost guide.
Reviewed by Joshua Thompson, Operating Partner at JetPro Finish.
Last updated: July 2026
Quick Pricing Table: Real Aircraft Paint Job Cost by Model
The following examples are drawn from verified JetPro Finish quotes issued between January 2025 and July 2026. Customer details remain confidential; the aircraft, project scopes, quoted prices, and expected working days are based on JetPro Finish’s documented project quotes.
| Aircraft | Project scope | Quote | Working days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Falcon 50 | Strip and paint, basic white | $180,000 | 40 |
| Citation 650 | Strip and paint, split base, overall metallic | $90,000 | 30 |
| Citation CJ | Strip and paint, split base | $72,500 | 30 |
| King Air 300 | Strip and paint, split base with stripes | $68,000 | 25 |
| T-6 | Strip and paint | $46,000 | 25 |
| Piper Aerostar | Strip and paint, split base | $42,000 | 30 |
| Piper Seminole 180 | Strip and paint | $35,000 | 20 |
| Cessna 172 | Strip and paint | $30,000 | 20 |
| Piper Archer 181 | Strip and paint | $30,000 | 20 |
| Piper Seminole 180 | Sand and paint | $30,000 | 18 |
| Cessna 182 | Strip and paint, white two-stripe scheme | $28,500 | 25 |
| Falcon 50 | N-number and logo work | $28,500 | 10 |
| Piper Warrior 151 | Strip and paint, overall white | $27,500 | 15 |
| Piper Archer 181 | Sand and paint | $25,000 | 18 |
| Cessna 172 | Sand and paint | $25,000 | 18 |
| King Air 350 | Modification-related repaint | $18,500 | 14 |
These are historical quote examples for the scopes described. Your final price and timeline may differ based on aircraft condition, corrosion findings, repair requirements, paint scheme complexity, markings, disassembly, and additional work discovered during the project.
Every aircraft should be evaluated and quoted according to its individual condition and required scope.
Cessna Paint Projects: 172 and 182 Examples
Single-engine Cessna aircraft are among the most common paint projects in general aviation.
Verified JetPro Finish examples include:
- Cessna 172—strip and paint: $30,000 over approximately 20 working days
- Cessna 172—sand and paint: $25,000 over approximately 18 working days
- Cessna 182—strip and paint with a white two-stripe scheme: $28,500 over approximately 25 working days
These quotes demonstrate why aircraft model alone does not determine the final cost.
The Cessna 182 project came in slightly below the Cessna 172 strip-and-paint quote. Differences in existing paint condition, design, preparation requirements, and project scope can matter more than the aircraft designation by itself.
The Cessna 172 examples also show the difference between preparation methods. Sand and paint was quoted at $25,000, while stripping the aircraft to bare metal first was quoted at $30,000.
Whether sand and paint is appropriate depends on the condition and history of the existing finish. JetPro Finish evaluates the aircraft before recommending a preparation method.
For targeted refinishing rather than a complete repaint, explore our partial aircraft paint services and aircraft exterior services.
Piper Paint Projects: Warrior, Archer, Seminole, and Aerostar
Piper aircraft cover a wide range of sizes, configurations, and paint scopes.
Verified examples include:
- Piper Warrior 151—strip and paint, overall white: $27,500 over approximately 15 working days
- Piper Archer 181—strip and paint: $30,000 over approximately 20 working days
- Piper Archer 181—sand and paint: $25,000 over approximately 18 working days
- Piper Seminole 180—strip and paint: $35,000 over approximately 20 working days
- Piper Seminole 180—sand and paint: $30,000 over approximately 18 working days
- Piper Aerostar—strip and paint with a split-base design: $42,000 over approximately 30 working days
The Aerostar sits at the top of this group because it is a larger, more complex twin-engine aircraft, and the split-base scheme requires additional masking and paint application.
The Piper Seminole also came in above the Piper Archer for comparable preparation methods. The Seminole has more surface area, two nacelles, additional control surfaces, and more complex masking requirements than a single-engine aircraft.
If you operate a training fleet and need estimates for multiple aircraft, contact JetPro Finish to discuss the scope and preferred schedule for each tail.
Request a fleet or aircraft paint quote
Strip and Paint vs. Sand and Paint
Three verified JetPro Finish comparisons show a consistent difference between sanding the existing finish and stripping the aircraft to bare metal.
| Aircraft | Sand and paint | Strip and paint | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cessna 172 | $25,000 | $30,000 | +$5,000 |
| Piper Archer 181 | $25,000 | $30,000 | +$5,000 |
| Piper Seminole 180 | $30,000 | $35,000 | +$5,000 |
Across all three aircraft, stripping added $5,000 and approximately two working days.
Sand and Paint
Sand and paint prepares the existing finish so the new coating system can adhere correctly.
This process may be suitable when the current paint is sound, stable, and well-adhered. Exposed bare metal is treated as required before primer and topcoat are applied.
Strip and Paint
Strip and paint removes the existing paint and primer before the aircraft is refinished.
The aircraft is masked to protect windows, de-icer boots, composite panels, and other sensitive areas. Chemical stripper is applied, the airframe is washed, and remaining coating around protected areas is removed manually.
Neither method is automatically better for every aircraft.
Sanding over multiple old paint layers may create an unsuitable foundation for the next finish. Stripping an aircraft with one sound layer of existing paint may add unnecessary cost.
JetPro Finish determines the appropriate method after evaluating the existing finish and aircraft history.
Specialty and Military-Style Aircraft: T-6 Example
Warbirds and military-style trainers often have project requirements that differ from standard general aviation aircraft.
One verified JetPro Finish quote included:
- T-6—strip and paint: $46,000 over approximately 25 working days
T-6 and other heritage-aircraft projects may include historically accurate markings or more detailed masking requirements when those elements are part of the selected design.
For custom markings and aircraft graphics, see our custom aircraft logos and decals service.
King Air Modification-Related Repainting
Not every aircraft paint project requires a complete repaint.
When an aircraft undergoes a modification, repair, antenna installation, winglet installation, or similar change, the affected areas may need to be refinished to match the surrounding paint.
One verified example includes:
- King Air 350—modification-related repaint: $18,500 over approximately 14 working days
This quote reflects targeted paint work rather than a complete strip-to-metal repaint.
The final scope depends on the location and size of the affected area, the condition of the surrounding finish, and how closely the existing paint can be matched and blended.
For related targeted services, see our aircraft restriping and aircraft registration number change services.
Turboprop and Business Jet Full Repaints
Beyond modification work, JetPro Finish also quotes complete strip-and-paint projects for turboprops and business jets.
Verified examples include:
- King Air 300—strip and paint, split base with stripes: $68,000 over approximately five weeks
- Citation CJ—strip and paint, split base: $72,500 over approximately 30 working days
- Citation 650—strip and paint, split base with overall metallic: $90,000 over approximately 30 working days
Turboprop and jet projects can include preparation steps that are not required on every light-aircraft project.
Composite panels may be prepared separately from metal areas. Fill primer may be applied across metal and composite sections and sanded smooth before topcoat. New sealant may also be installed along paint edges.
This additional preparation helps explain why a Citation project may require approximately 30 working days compared with approximately 20 working days for a light single-engine aircraft.
Falcon 50 and Larger-Aircraft Projects
At the larger end of the dataset, a Falcon 50 strip-and-paint project in basic white was quoted at:
- Falcon 50—strip and paint, basic white: $180,000 over approximately 40 working days
This scope included a complete strip and repaint of a midsize business jet.
A separate Falcon 50 project was quoted at:
- Falcon 50—N-number and logo work: $28,500 over approximately 10 working days
These two examples demonstrate how much the scope affects aircraft paint cost.
A complete strip and repaint is fundamentally different from focused registration-number and logo work performed on an existing finish.
For business-jet and corporate-aircraft projects, review our aircraft exterior services and aircraft painting cost guide.
Why Similar Aircraft Can Receive Different Quotes
Two aircraft of the same make and model can receive different paint quotes.
Common factors include:
Existing Paint Condition
Peeling, oxidation, poor adhesion, previous repaints, or multiple coating layers may require additional preparation.
Corrosion or Repair Findings
Corrosion, previous repair work, dents, or damaged composite areas may not become visible until the old finish is removed or the aircraft is inspected more closely.
Paint Scheme Complexity
A single base color generally requires less masking and booth time than split-base designs, multiple stripes, metallic finishes, or custom graphics.
Markings and Logos
Registration numbers, company logos, custom decals, warbird markings, and detailed graphics affect layout and masking requirements.
Aircraft Configuration
Nacelles, control surfaces, fairings, composite panels, and other aircraft features affect preparation, access, masking, and refinishing.
Disassembly Requirements
The scope may include removal and reinstallation of flight controls or other components according to the applicable aircraft maintenance documentation.
Additional Approved Work
Corrosion correction, body work, component refinishing, markings, and other approved exterior work may change the final scope.
Two identical airframes with different histories, conditions, and designs can therefore receive substantially different quotes.
Realistic Aircraft Painting Turnaround Times
The working days in the quote examples provide useful planning references, but they are not fixed schedules for every aircraft.
Verified JetPro Finish examples include:
- Small single-engine aircraft: approximately 15–20 working days
- Sand-and-paint projects on comparable piston aircraft: approximately 18 working days
- Twins and specialty aircraft: approximately 20–30 working days
- King Air 300 full repaint: approximately five weeks
- Citation projects: approximately 30 working days
- Falcon 50 complete repaint: approximately 40 working days
- Modification and marking work: approximately 10–14 working days
Corrosion findings, repair requirements, parts availability, design revisions, and owner-approved non-routine work may extend the original timeline.
The expected turnaround for your aircraft should be documented in the written project quote.
What to Provide When Requesting an Aircraft Paint Quote
Accurate information helps JetPro Finish prepare a more realistic initial scope and estimate.
When requesting a quote, provide:
- Aircraft make, model, and year
- Registration number
- Current paint condition
- Approximate age of the existing finish, when known
- Photos of the aircraft from multiple angles
- Close-up photos of peeling, oxidation, corrosion, damage, or problem areas
- Desired project scope
- Whether you are considering strip and paint, sand and paint, partial paint, restriping, registration-number changes, or decal work
- Paint scheme details or reference images
- Preferred project timeframe
- Known maintenance, repair, corrosion, or modification work
- Registration-marking and logo requirements
- Any operational scheduling constraints
The more complete the initial information, the easier it is to define an accurate project scope.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to paint an airplane?
Based on verified JetPro Finish quotes issued between January 2025 and July 2026, project examples range from $18,500 for a modification-related King Air 350 repaint to $180,000 for a complete Falcon 50 strip-and-paint project.
Complete single-engine piston projects in the dataset generally ranged from $25,000 to $30,000. Twin-engine piston projects ranged from $30,000 to $42,000.
The final cost depends on the aircraft, current finish, preparation method, design, project scope, and conditions discovered during the work.
How much does a Cessna 172 paint job cost?
JetPro Finish quoted:
- Cessna 172 sand and paint: $25,000 over approximately 18 working days
- Cessna 172 strip and paint: $30,000 over approximately 20 working days
The appropriate preparation method depends on the condition and history of the existing finish.
What is the difference between strip and paint and sand and paint?
Strip and paint removes the existing finish before the aircraft is prepared, primed, and repainted.
Sand and paint prepares a suitable existing finish so the new coating system can adhere over it.
Sand and paint usually requires less labor when the current finish is suitable, but it is not appropriate for every aircraft.
Why did another paint shop quote a different price?
Quote differences often result from differences in project scope, preparation method, design, disassembly, materials, repair allowances, and how non-routine work is handled.
When comparing quotes, confirm that both shops are quoting the same work and that the preparation method, markings, flight-control work, and exclusions are clearly documented.
How long does an aircraft paint job take?
Verified JetPro Finish turn times range from approximately 10 working days for targeted marking work to approximately 40 working days for a complete Falcon 50 repaint.
Small single-engine aircraft have been quoted at approximately 15–20 working days, while Citation projects have been quoted at approximately 30 working days.
The final schedule depends on aircraft condition, design, scope, and approved additional work.
Does JetPro Finish paint business jets?
Yes. Verified examples include:
- King Air 300 strip and paint
- Citation CJ strip and paint
- Citation 650 strip and paint
- Falcon 50 strip and paint
- Falcon 50 N-number and logo work
Contact JetPro Finish to discuss your aircraft and required scope.
Can JetPro Finish complete N-number changes, restriping, and decals without repainting the entire aircraft?
Yes. Targeted work can include registration-number changes, restriping, decals, logos, modification-related repainting, and partial paint work.
These projects typically involve a smaller scope than a complete aircraft repaint.
Get a Quote for Your Aircraft
The pricing examples above provide a useful starting point, but they are not a substitute for an aircraft-specific quote.
JetPro Finish prepares each quote around the individual aircraft, existing finish, preparation method, proposed design, required markings, project schedule, and expected scope.
Whether you need a complete strip and paint, sand and paint, modification-related repaint, partial paint, restriping, registration-number change, or custom markings, JetPro Finish can review the project requirements and provide a written quote.
Request an Aircraft Painting Quote
For a broader explanation of aircraft paint pricing, preparation, and complete project scope, read the 2026 aircraft painting cost guide.