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Oxidation Removal

Chalked, hazed paint brought back before it needs a paint shop.

What is oxidation removal?

Oxidation removal is machine polishing that cuts back the dead, chalky top layer of oxidised paint and restores gloss and a sealable surface. Caught early it costs a fraction of a repaint; left alone, oxidation keeps eating until only a paint shop can help. The AI estimator gives a round-about range for your airframe, and our team confirms the final price after seeing the paint.

HOW PRICING WORKS

Scoped to your airframe, confirmed by a person.

Oxidation Removal scales with aircraft class and condition, so we do not publish a sticker price. Use the AI calculator on the services page for an instant estimate, or send the booking request — our team reviews the aircraft and comes back to you with the final price before anything is scheduled. Nothing is ever charged without your approval.

FULL SCOPE

  • Full wash and decontamination before any machine touches paint
  • Paint depth readings across representative panels first
  • Single-stage machine polish to cut the oxidised layer
  • Heavier chalking stepped up to a two-stage cut and refine
  • Sealant applied to lock the fresh surface against UV
  • Test panel agreed with you before committing to the airframe

APPROVED MATERIALS

  • Paint depth gauge on every job — no blind polishing
  • Aviation-rated compounds and rotary/DA machines
  • Polymer sealant rated for jet-speed airflow and UV

QC CHECKPOINTS

  • Gloss meter readings before and after, logged to the record
  • Panel-by-panel inspection under LED at a low angle
  • No polish residue in seams, fastener heads or static ports

WHAT THIS PROTECTS

Oxidation is paint dying from UV in fast-forward — every month it advances, the correction cuts deeper and the repaint gets closer. Catching it at the chalky stage buys years of life for a fraction of a paint shop invoice, and the reading history in the aircraft record proves the paint's health at resale.

Questions owners actually ask

How do I know if it is oxidation or just dirt?
Wash a small area. If the finish still looks flat, milky or chalky when clean — and a white cloth rubbed on the paint picks up colour — that is oxidation, not dirt. Ramp exposure, sun and salt air accelerate it dramatically.
Can heavy oxidation always be polished out?
Not always, and we will tell you honestly. Paint has a finite thickness; the depth gauge tells us how much life is left. If correction would cut through, we say so before touching the airframe — sometimes the right answer is managing it until repaint, not polishing.
How long does the result last?
Sealed and hangared, one to two years before a maintenance polish. Ramp-kept in high-UV or coastal environments, expect annual attention. A ceramic coating on top of fresh correction extends it furthest.