Primers and Paint: What Van's Specifies
Why there is no factory primer or paint spec, and what the factory uses
There is no Van's primer or paint specification
Van's does not specify a primer or a paint. As the builder you are the legal manufacturer of the aircraft, so the finish is your decision. This is the single most common answer Builder Tech Support gives on the subject, and it is deliberate rather than an omission.
How to choose
The most practical route is to talk to a local paint shop, including automotive paint suppliers. They can recommend a primer and paint specification suited to your climate and to the equipment you will spray with, which matters more than any general recommendation.
What the factory uses
For reference, the factory is using AkzoNobel 10P4-3NF, a two-part epoxy primer, on the RV-15. Builder Tech Support can send the data sheet on request. Treat this as a reference point, not a requirement.
Where priming is and is not required
Per Section 5 of the manual, steel parts and faying surfaces should be primed. Alclad aluminium sheet does not strictly require primer, which is why priming practice varies so widely between builders. See the related article on aluminium corrosion and storage.
Need help?
For questions about a specific part or a finish already applied, contact Builder Tech Support with photos.
Source: Builder Technical Support tickets, June to September 2026.
Van's Tech Q&A: What Paint Brands and Colors does Van’s Aircraft use?
Copied from Van's Aircraft Tech Q&A on 2026-10-01. Source: What Paint Brands and Colors does Van’s Aircraft use?.
Official PDF: paint_brands.pdf (2 pages). If the viewer below does not load, open the PDF with this link.
Text of the PDF
Copied word for word from the PDF. Figures, drawings and table layouts are in the PDF above.
POWDER COATED PARTS: Older gray parts are Cardinal brand, color GR-230.More recent white parts are Cardinal brand, color T009-WH111 90% gloss. An equivalent Sherwin Williams code is PWS9-40002. A Dupli-Color applicator is also available from some auto parts stores: part code NG CC 362. The RV-12iS powder coated/screen printed instrument panels are a different color: Cardinal Brand, color GR02.
RV-6A N666RV: aka “Ole Blue”: Painted using PPG Durethane. The color is DU2230 Grabber Blue.
RV-7 N137RV: Valspar base coat/clear coat system. Colors are W-51 Spec White and 1018 Mack Truck Dynamite Yellow. The blue and black trim and black N numbers are thin vinyl applique we had made at a local sign shop.
RV-7 N477RV: Transition Trainer: Valspar Solar System Sunthane 2K polyurethane. Bright Red 852R319 and Vans White 852.
RV-8A N58VA: PPG Durethane DU81746 Taxi Chrome Yellow.
RV-9 N179RV: Valspar Solar System Sunthane 2K polyurethane. Colors are W-51 Spec White and 1018 Mack Truck Dynamite Yellow. The blue and black trim and N-numbers are vinyl.
RV-9A N129RV: PPG Durethane. Colors are Delta 3500 DUHS 14711 Navy Blue and DUHS 82526 SC Yellow. The tomato red/blue stripes and black numbers are vinyl.
RV-10 N410RV: Valspar Solar System Sunthane 2K polyurethane. Yellow 852Y1018L and White 852W51.
RV-10 N220RV: Valspar Solar System Hunter Green 333G2162 Base/Clear Coat and White 852W51.
12 N412RV: Valspar SunThane 2K Polyurethane Color Medium Red / # 852R2504 RV-12iS N912RV: PPG Deltron DBC, 2 stage system Orange, Atomic Orange, Brand Code 914927; Grey, Cyber Grey, Brand Code 920131; White, Base White, DMD1684; Silver, Silver Metallic, Brand Code 35499; Blue, Big League Blue, Brand Code 17041 RV-14 N114VA: Base White, Deltron PPG DMD1684 (no tinting), Tidal Wave Blue, 2000 DBC (Brand Code 904427). Carbon Steel Gray, Deltron 2000 DBC (Brand Code 926502, OEM Code LAqw, IKIK.)
RV-14A N214VA: Valspar Solar System Sunthane 2K polyurethane. Blue 852L227, Black 852K090, Van's White 852 Base.
RV-14A N914VA: Sherwin Williams Acryl Glo Titanium Metallic H10679, Dusk Gray Metallic H10681, Ruby Metallic H10701, Clear CMO571080 The gray interior of several of our airplanes is Valspar Solar System Sunthane 2K polyurethane. The color is 852NO66 Interior Gray.
S-LSA RV-12s are painted using Sikkens Autobase Plus and Sikkens Autoclear III in various custom colors.