MRO and modifications specialist General Atomics AeroTec Systems has completed its latest highlight paint project at its VIP Paint+ Shop in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich. The Gulfstream G450 from SCK Aviation received a matte black paint job with glossy highlights and white lettering.

The G450 was painted in matte black after a complete chemical stripping process. It then received several diagonal straight and asymmetrical glossy black stripes in two different sizes, from the nose section to the rear of the fuselage. The stripes were applied on the fuselage and outer wing area with a laser pointer and a computer-cut paint template. The inside of the main door was completely painted as well, for a uniform appearance when open.

The most important technique when applying the black matte paint material is to perform the final painting step flawlessly. In contrast to high-gloss paint projects, partial reworking, such as sanding and polishing or touching up paint spots, cannot be carried out on a matt topcoat. The team therefore had to take a particularly conscientious approach.

It was very important to the aircraft owner Sandra Corinna Kinzl that the registration and the logo matched perfectly, both visually and in terms of colour. For this reason, even the registration font was specially designed by art director and graphic designer Andrin Rohner, while all technical markings were fulfilled in accordance with the aircraft manuals.

Kinzl says: "It looks even better in real life than on the pictures and renderings, which is normally never the case."

Based in Austria, SCK Aviation acquires Gulfstream aircraft, overhauls them inside and out, and turns them into lifestyle statements. This latest project, the vampish G450, is the perfect example of the high quality standards the company offers.

General Atomics AeroTec Systems operates a one-stop-shop for aircraft in the centre of Europe; MRO, upgrades and modifications for the Do228 and Embraer and Bombardier business jets.