Curious how many have seen this before and if it poses any significant risk? The rest of the plane appears in fantastic shape with little to no paint concerns which is why it seems weird that both struts have these types of conditions near the mount points.

Appears to be paint only, but as I continue learning, thought I would ask any fellow Cessna owners/flyers/maintainers.

Interesting. I’d want to know more too. Good luck.

If the Horton STC SA4121SW "Wing strut fairings and contour wing struts" is accomplished then the cracking is due to deterioration of the foam under the paint or the foam being compressed. Possibly by stepping in that area.

Odd. What model Cessna?

Never have seen anything like that. Damage from ham-handed cuff removals to inspect the mounts?

RAS

Yes, looks more like scratches than cracks to me.

C.

get a polisher out and use some cutting compound. that should give you an answer simply and safely

Looks like they laid the paint down too thick, it's called mudcracking.

If you are concerned that this is some type of structural damage to the strut don't be. I have seen Cessna's with major wing damage from hitting things and there is zero damage to the struts. In other words, if the strut is bent the wings will be ripped off of the airplane. It is probably just bad paint job that is cracking.

That is not what a structural crack looks like. Probably paint only, like stated above.

Looks like a bad paint job applied too thick, not anything structural.

I think we all know what it “looks like” but it’s a wing strut. The OP is correct in wanting to know more than that. Good luck OP, I wouldn’t stop investigating until I felt satisfied for myself.

There was a comment about rub marks, that is what it 'looks like' to me; caused by light chattering when sliding the fairing for inspection of attach points hence the irregularity of the lines. Keyboard diagnosis being what it is, follow the suggestion of some light rubbing compound and a towel and you'll find out quickly if further inspection is warranted.

In case someone looks at this in the archive one day, pre buy AP said it was in fact scratches from the fairing removal/replacements during inspection(s). The owner then said the original listed price was a misprint and raised the asking price of the plane. Live and learn…. Thanks everyone

Thanks for closing the loop.

Do I understand correctly that the seller changed the price during your prebuy?

I read this the other way. Did the seller try to sell an aircraft that they thought had a cracked strut without actually having it checked?

Beyond Caveat Emptor, it sounds like the seller is a bit of an arsehole.