Experimentals detailing in Helotes.
Aviation-grade detailing for Van's RV-series, Lancair, Glasair, Sonex, Carbon Cub, and other owner-built experimental aircraft.
Helotes-based experimentals owners typically operate out of Stinson Municipal (SSF, in town). GA ramp loaded with owner-flown singles, twins, and turboprops. Multiple FBOs and tenant hangars. We also work San Antonio International (SAT) and Boerne Stage Field (5C1) for owners with hangar arrangements across multiple fields.
Service specs · Helotes
Built for Helotes owners.
Helotes feels rural compared to inner San Antonio — properties are larger, the boat-and-trailer rigs are common in driveways, and Medina Lake is just 25 minutes west. We work Helotes driveways year-round for boat-and-RV combos and the smaller fleet of home-strip experimental airplanes northwest of the city.
Owner profile. Helotes is the family-property northwest fringe of San Antonio. Driveways are big enough for boats and trailers, and owners typically trailer to Medina Lake (closest) and Canyon Lake. RV storage is plentiful, and most rigs are family-use travel trailers and 5th wheels.
Experimentals and kit aircraft are a unique category — every airplane is a one-off. A Van's RV-7 might have polyurethane paint applied by a pro shop, or rattle-can paint applied by the builder in his garage. A Lancair IV-P could have wet-sanded composite finish or fiberglass with primer. We always ask the owner: 'What paint did you use, and what's your preferred chemistry?' Their answer determines our entire approach. South Texas has a strong EAA presence (chapters in San Antonio, Boerne, New Braunfels), and we've worked on dozens of homebuilts at hangars across the Hill Country. Owners are typically the builder — they know every rivet, every weld, every paint touch-up — and they appreciate when we treat the airplane the same way they would.
Where Helotes owners keep their experimentals.
Canyon Lake
40 minutes north from Helotes. Marinas: Cypress Bend Marina, Mountain Springs Resort, Cranes Mill Marina. Ramps: Cranes Mill Park ramp, Comal Park ramp, Boat Ramp #1 (Canyon City).
Hard mineral water from Comal Springs feed leaves spots if rinses aren't quick.
Stinson Municipal (SSF)
in town from Helotes. GA ramp loaded with owner-flown singles, twins, and turboprops. Multiple FBOs and tenant hangars.
Storage facilities
various I-10 corridor storage facilities, Loop 1604 storage yards, South Side storage parks. We service trailers and RVs on-site at storage yards.
Also serving these lakes
Medina Lake (40 minutes west), Lake LBJ (1 hour north), Lake Travis (1.5 hours northeast).
Additional airports
San Antonio International (SAT, in town) · Boerne Stage Field (5C1, in Boerne) · New Braunfels Regional (BAZ, 30 minutes east)
Experimentals protocol — Helotes edition.
Pre-detail discussion with the owner-builder: what paint system, who applied it, what chemistry has been used in the past, any owner-flagged sensitive areas.
Mask sensors, antennas, pitot/static, and any specific markings the owner wants protected.
If polished aluminum (mirror-polished RV-series, Lancair): three-step hand polish with cleaner, polish, sealant — like an Airstream.
If polyurethane paint: standard aviation-approved soap + hand polish.
If epoxy primer or unpainted areas: extra-gentle cleaning, avoid solvents.
If composite (Lancair, Glasair, Sportsman): fiberglass-safe polish, never aggressive compounds.
Leading edges and prop spinner: bug strike removal with paint-appropriate cleaner.
Belly degrease (light — homebuilts typically don't have heavy exhaust stains).
Cockpit: vacuum, leather/vinyl/composite seat care, screen-safe avionics (Garmin G3X / G3X Touch is very common in homebuilts, also Dynon SkyView, Advanced Flight Systems, Levil).
Acrylic windshield and side glass: Plexus only.
Final walk with owner — every choice we made explained, photo log handed off.
What's included.
What owners always ask.
Yes — Stinson Municipal (SSF, in town) is part of our regular service rotation. We coordinate hangar or ramp access with the FBO or owner ahead of every appointment. GA ramp loaded with owner-flown singles, twins, and turboprops. Multiple FBOs and tenant hangars.
No — we ask you what paint system you used and choose chemistry appropriate to that system before we apply anything. If you used epoxy primer with no topcoat, we treat it extra-gently. If you used polyurethane, standard aviation soap is fine. We're cautious by default.
Yes — polished aluminum RVs (especially older RV-3s, RV-4s, and some RV-7s) get the three-step hand polish like an Airstream trailer. Cleaner, polish, sealant. Takes longer than a paint job but the mirror is worth it.
No — Lancair, Glasair, Velocity, and other composites get fiberglass-safe polish only. No aggressive compounds, no solvents that attack epoxy. We polish by hand with appropriate pads.
Yes — we service home hangars across the Hill Country, private hangars at Boerne Stage and Stinson, and private strips. We bring our own water and power. Coordinate access ahead of time.
Only with screen-safe microfiber and approved cleaner. We follow Garmin G3X Touch guidance, Dynon's care notes, Advanced Flight Systems (AFS), and Levil panel guidance. If you have OEM-specific preferences, share them.
Yes — spring brings a surge of EAA airshow prep work. Pre-airshow rapid detail, full polish, photo log handoff. We've prepped multiple homebuilts that flew to AirVenture and came back with awards.
A Van's RV-series with polyurethane paint starts at $500. A polished-aluminum RV with three-step polish work runs $700-900. A Lancair IV-P or large composite with full polish runs $900-1,200. Carbon Cub and similar backcountry homebuilts $600-800. Quote after walk-around.
Park it. We'll handle it.
Same care, every job. We come to your Helotes driveway, dock, hangar, or storage site.