Yoke paint/resurfacing/whatever
Have a '78 Warrior whose yokes have paint chipping off. Has anyone dealt with this before? Would like to find some way to freshen these up, but do not want to go to the expense of having them covered in leather. Can they be sent out to be powder coated or something economically?
Comments
If you want to have them updated (etched clean; powder coated,...) contact Clint Swieter (clint@swieteraircraft.com). I've seen his work and they come out looking great.
-DJ
Condmaint:
I also have a '78 Warrior. My solution was to wrap the yoke with tennis racket handle wrap. A rainbow of colors are available on eBay. Each yoke will require one length of wrap. The cost is about $2 per yoke. You'll enjoy the look, the feel, and the 4-seasom comfort.
VFRs,
Duplicate
Condmaint;
I think we've all dealt with chipping paint on our yokes. Can't believe the original coating only lasted 50 years. 🤔🤣
As djpathis mentioned, powdercoating will give you a beautiful factory type finish.
Like the tennis racket wrap that n36601 mentioned, bicycle handlebar wrap also works very well. It also comes in an array of colors and padding thicknesses.
If you choose the wrap method, start at the bottom and work your way up so the overlaps are smooth, otherwise you'll have a ridge at each overlap.
Jim "Doc Griff" Griffin
PA28 - 161
Chicago area
l powder-coated mine with a sandy-textured matte black paint for $50 each at a local shop. They look and feel great!
Our A&P wasn't able to remove the yokes from the shaft, and now I see that the assembly includes the shaft. How did you guys handle this?
What about the Piper emblem on the front? Is that glued on and removable with heat?
Condmaint;
You are correct, the yokes are not (easily) removable from the shaft. A friend fitted late model padded yokes in his '80 Warrior. The old yokes had to be cut off in pieces, without damaging the shaft. Needless to say, the old yokes were trash. The new yokes are awesome, but was a lot of work.
There are Piper seat buckle emblems for sale that fit perfectly into the center spot on the yoke. They are glue on or stick on.
Jim "Doc Griff" Griffin
PA28 - 161
Chicago area
I’d ask the shop doing the work if they can deal with the yoke and shaft together.
-DJ