I would NOT go with metallic paint anywhere on the plane. I have a G600 which has a periodic heading failure, and am told by Garmin that it could be static buildup from metallic paint. I have one stripe that is metallic, so I’m skeptical, but still - heard of others with similar issues who had a whole plane with a brand new metallic paint job that they stripped and had repainted a second time. At their cost.

Metallic paint is a bad idea. Even if it is not the true cause of static and/or magnetic issues with the electronics, the hassle of having to deal with manufacturer finger pointing if you have issues like that is not worth it.

There sure are a lot of planes with metallic paint nowadays. Especially from the factory. All the new Phenoms are silver metallic. Seems someone would’ve found a huge problem by now.

I do think it’s reasonable that it could be causing a problem though.

I agree. I suspect that new planes have more options for dealing with the issue such as better designed static wick placements, etc. Plus, there are metallic “look” paints that use plastic flakes (not actual metal) that are supposedly better (though still reputed to have some of the issues).

On a retrofit airplane, figuring out all those things after the fact are hassle$. I would not paint an airplane with metallic paint that was not designed that way from the factory. And even then I’d only do it using a very reputable shop, and look into any comments or insturctions about it in maintenance manuals and the like.

Yup. Good point. Glad you brought it up.

I kind of like flat grey as well. Imagine this flat grey that the Colombian Air Force uses on their Commanders, but then add colored tail. Would look pretty dope!

I have a really hard time believing the manufactures producing the aircraft paints would offer a product that is prone to causing issues with avionics.
My plane is almost 50% metallic paint, and I have never had an issue with my G500 system. I think a lot of companies point fingers to deflect from their inability to solve customer issues ( not saying Garmin is guilty of this).

You need a faster plane and a higher grade of avionics to find the “problem”

I would NOT go with metallic paint anywhere on the plane. I have a G600 which has a periodic heading failure, and am told by Garmin that it could be static buildup from metallic paint. I have one stripe that is metallic, so I’m skeptical, but still - heard of others with similar issues who had a whole plane with a brand new metallic paint job that they stripped and had repainted a second time. At their cost.

Metallic paint is a bad idea. Even if it is not the true cause of static and/or magnetic issues with the electronics, the hassle of having to deal with manufacturer finger pointing if you have issues like that is not worth it.

We had a brand new Falcon 7X at the airport the other day it was dark gray Metallic man it Oozed Sexy. Did a max climb departure on a sunny California day. Almost knock your eyes out..some lucky SOB living the Dream!!

I'll do it. Where are you hiding?

Don't they add metal to paint to make conductive paints? More conductive = less static. You can only have a static charge if the electrons can't move very easily.

I have a hard time believing that putting a metallic paint over a metallic surface causes anything but more shininess. Sounds like avionics companies got to a point where they couldn't pinpoint the issue so they blamed it on someone else.

I could see how painting a GPS antenna with metallic paint could create havoc. But every GPS antenna I have ever seen was masked out during the paint process or installed on top of the paint layer.

But then, there is transmission equipment that only works if you crack the equipment cabinet by about 1inch and hold it open with a small bock of foam.

Long history in aviation of mechanics and avionics guys embracing the blame game.

Mine is over 50 percent, no problems. Might the gps antenna be mounted on painted surfaces?

Let's all get our ohm meters out and go measure our paint!


I remember looking at a KA one time. It was new, so paint from the factory. Had a "metallic paint." But when asked about any affects on the WX radar (radome painted) I was told that the paint did not actually contain any metal. But was made from mica, the mineral, and other stones. Approved for painting over radomes. Maybe it was even called "mica grey" can't quite remember.

Must be some paint people here that could elaborate on this.