Do you have the urge to buy or upgrade your current magic carpet? This is my two-and-a-half-year quest to locate a 172 that was purchase worthy.

As a previous owner of three planes — a Piper Turbo Ar­row III (N6399C), a Piper Dakota (N8163E), and a Cess­na 310Q (N69797) — I’ve enjoyed buying, restoring, and upgrading these aircraft, only to sell them as offers came unsolic­ited. As my father used to say, “If the price is right, sell.”

It was a cool October morning in 2021 when I decided to at­tend an auction of a local A&P who had dozens of aircraft in various states of disrepair and two huge hangars full of aircraft parts.

How to paint interior plastic trim, step by step instructions with photos.

A major problem with older aircraft is the condition of the interior plastic trim. The trim is generally in very poor condition, with various cracks in the trim and deformation around the screw holes. Learn how to repair plastic trim here.

When Kevin Horrell purchased his 182 in August 2020, he factored the plane’s condition into the price. “I knew it would probably need a new windscreen and a new paint job,” he said.

This article about the restoration of Steve Compton’s 172 start­ed in the July 2022 issue with a look at the plane’s disassembly and painting. In August, we detailed the panel’s makeover. This month we finish with the interior upgrades and reassembly.