Boeing Develops Improved 787 Paint System to Eliminate Peeling Problems

Boeing is seeking approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to improve its aircraft paint system to improve the appearance of the 787, Flightglobal reports.

The new system, which has been tested by the American airline, will eliminate the problems of peeling paint on the open upper surfaces of the wings and horizontal stabilizers.

As a temporary fix, Boeing recommends the use of speed tape, however, since passengers can easily see the top of the wing, images circulating on social media have created a negative perception of safety.

Flightglobal explains that the paint on the composite 787 eliminates the need to sand the aircraft’s surfaces, as well as the need to re-apply the primary and exterior primers. However, Boeing discovered that UV light would peel the intermediate coating from the outer primer, causing the white topcoat to peel off.

“Boeing sought to correct a black layer of UV-blocking paint between the exterior primer and topcoat,” the Aviation News Service reported.