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Titanium and Ceramic Coatings for Aircraft Exterior Paint

Aircraft Exterior Paint
Aircraft Exterior Paint

Protecting an aircraft’s exterior paint is about more than appearance. It’s about preserving value, performance, and long-term durability. At West Star Aviation, we offer advanced titanium and ceramic coating solutions designed to extend the life of your aircraft’s paint while enhancing its finish and ease of maintenance.

Whether you are investing in a brand-new paint job or looking to revitalize and protect an existing one, these coatings provide proven, long-term protection for your aircraft.

Proven Products Backed by Industry Expertise

The titanium and ceramic coating products applied at West Star Aviation are manufactured by TFS (Top Flight Suppliers). These coatings are engineered specifically for aviation applications and are rated to help extend aircraft paint life by upwards of 150% when properly applied and maintained.

Key Benefits of Titanium and Ceramic Coatings

Both coating options offer a wide range of benefits that go beyond aesthetics:

  • Extended paint longevity, reducing long-term repaint costs
  • Enhanced resistance to contaminants, including dirt, exhaust residue, and environmental pollutants
  • Deeper, longer-lasting shine for a premium paint appearance
  • Elimination of routine paint buffing, even on previously oxidized surfaces
  • Faster, easier cleaning and detailing
  • Protection against oxidation and fading caused by UV exposure
  • Reduced parasitic drag, contributing to improved aerodynamic efficiency
  • Increased resale value by preserving exterior condition

Titanium vs. Ceramic Coatings: What’s the Difference?

Both coatings provide exceptional protection, but they differ in application timing, durability, and cost.

Titanium Coating

  • More cost-effective option
  • Can be applied shortly after painting, even within a few days
  • Applied using a hand orbital process
  • Application typically completed in a couple of days
  • One coat lasts approximately 1 to 2 years

Ceramic Coating

  • Higher upfront cost with longer service life
  • Requires a minimum 90-day cure period after new paint to allow full gassing-off
  • Hand-applied process
  • Application completed over a couple of days
  • One coat lasts approximately 3 to 4 years

Pricing Overview

Titanium Coating

  • Small airframes (Learjet, Citation): $5,200
  • Medium airframes (Falcon, Challenger): $9,600
  • Large airframes (Gulfstream, Global): $12,400

Ceramic Coating

  • Small airframes (Learjet, Citation): $8,100
  • Medium airframes (Falcon, Challenger): $13,600
  • Large airframes (Gulfstream, Global): $18,000

Both titanium and ceramic coatings are excellent solutions for restoring, protecting, and extending the life of your aircraft’s exterior paint. The right choice depends on your aircraft type, paint condition, operational schedule, and long-term ownership goals.

Our East Alton facility (ALN) also provides an alternative coating called Permagard. Permagard is like ceramic coating but can be applied anytime, including right after a paint event like titanium. The price range for Permagard coating is as follows:

  • Small airframes: $10,000
  • Medium airframes: $14,000
  • Large airframes: $20,000

If you have questions or would like help determining which coating option is best for your aircraft, we encourage you to contact one of the West Star Aviation specialists below for personalized guidance and additional details.

Julie Timmons

Julie Timmons

Aircraft Interior & Paint
(ALN)

Cell: 618.610.6945 jtimmons@wsa.aero

George Euler

George Euler

Aircraft Interior & Paint Sales Manager
(GJT)
Cell: 970.261.4221
geuler@wsa.aero

Nick Morrow

Paint & Interior Technical Sales Manager
(GJT)
Office: 970.248.5260
nmorrow@wsa.aero

Teri Haugen

Technical Sales Manager
(ALN)
Paint & Interior
Cell: 618.818.0661
thaugen@wsa.aero

Kelley Pitts

Kelley Pitts

Paint & Interior Technical Sales Manager
(CHA)
Cell: 423.494.9485
kpitts@wsa.aero

Nathan Moran

Technical Sales Manager
(PCD)
Modifications
Cell: 618.796.9901
nmoran@wsa.aero

Mark White

RSM, California

Dave Godo

RSM, Ohio Valley

Mark Daniels
Tim Cane
Robbie Johnson

RSM, Mid Atlantic

Santiago Carol

RSM, Latin America

Steve Fleeman

RSM, Landing Gear

Contact Us

WSAA will be piloted at the East Alton, IL facility with the first round of apprentices anticipated to start in August 2024. For more information on West Star Aviation employment or WSAA apprentice selection criteria, please visit www.weststaraviation.com/wsaa-academy or contact Katie Johnson (katiejohnson@wsa.aero) or Dave Lagermann (dlagermann@wsa.aero).

Application & Selection Process

Before applying, please be aware of the standards of conduct for employment with West Star along with the strict requirements below while attending WSAA.

  • Working in Aviation requires a commit to being drug-free.  Pre-employment drug testing along with random and reasonable suspicion testing is required for all companies employing people working in safety sensitive positions. The position you are considering applying for is safety sensitive.  If hired, you must pass a DOT drug test to start working, if you fail the job offer is rescinded.  If you pass, you must remain drug-free during employment, failing a random or reasonable suspicion test may result in termination of employment.  Please note: marijuana is legal in certain states however the FAA follows Federal law where marijuana is illegal.  This means testing positive for marijuana, or any other illegal drug, will prevent you from working in Aviation. 
  • The first 7.5 months will follow a strict schedule: Monday – Friday 7:00am – 3:30pm (breaks and meal periods provided). 
  • The expectation is to arrive inside the learning center and clocked in at 7:00am.
  • While attending WSAA, no more than 4 hours a week can be missed.  Extenuating medical circumstances will be given full consideration with supporting documentation.
  • WSAA follows an FAA approved curriculum which has certain requirements including attendance. 
  • Testing for the FAA license at the conclusion of WSAA is required, along with passing.  Two opportunities to test will be provided, if needed.  Employment may terminate if the FAA license is not obtained.
  • Candidates will be contacted to complete pre-screening assessments and questionnaires. 
  • Qualified candidates will be contacted in late November and scheduled for a tour and interview with Hiring Managers at West Star Aviation in East Alton, IL.
  • To be qualified, candidates must pass the pre-screening process along with submitting a negative DOT drug test result.
  • Finalists will be selected after onsite interviews. Job offers will be extended in mid-December with a start date of January 9, 2024.
  • Pay while learning in the Academy will be $20 per hour.  Upon successfully graduating and obtaining your FAA license, pay will increase to $27 per hour.