Duncan Aviation has announced that hydrographics and vinyl wrapping have come on leaps and bounds since it introduced the services. It started with some basic tooling to prove the concept and evaluate if the solution should be offered to customers. The two to three year journey consisted of continually upgrading equipment and finding new challenges. The finish shop has two full size dipping tanks, two full size rinse tanks, an automatic dipping arm and an automatic spray system.

The solutions can be used on interior components, panels, accents and full cabinets. The capabilities open up a variety of aesthetic options for interior finishes without changing cabinet veneer and designs include wood grain, stone, metals, in addition to custom designs. Some options allow shorter downtimes than traditional methods and are alternative solutions to cabinetry with clouding finishes. It also provides new finish options for countertops and sinks without weight restraints or engineering requirements.

Finish shop team leader Chris Nelson says this technology is taking off and the Duncan Aviation interior shop has worked on 10 complete vinyl projects, six complete hydrodipping projects and 20 partial hydrodipping projects.

Completion sales representative Matt Spain said that the Duncan Aviation interior shop recently wrapped all of the cabinets in a Challenger 601 with vinyl. “The chief pilot told me that the aesthetics of the wrap exceeded their expectations,” says Spain. “He also said that the wrap not only looks really good, but was a much more cost effective option over traditional veneer for installation in a legacy aircraft.”

With the adoption of hydrographics and wrapping of cabinets and other interior components, Duncan is proceeding with research of other technologies that will provide customers with more options for interior solutions.

“We have received such positive feedback on our hydrodipping and wrap solutions that we are looking to expand our capabilities to offer other alternative finishes,” says Nelson. “We have completed extensive research and will soon be offering services for thermal foil, thermal forming and sublimation. With these expanded capabilities we will be able to offer more customisation using a process that is permanent with unmatched clarity, bringing yet another proven technology within reach of corporate aviation.”