VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 07-10-2013, 09:32 PM
petehowell's Avatar
petehowell petehowell is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: MN
Posts: 2,269
Default Plane Cleaner

Summer means bugs. Bugs mean work and time to clean. Goal - minimize time and work. To that end, I tried a new product and have been very pleased with the results. It appears to be pretty cheap, too!

I have been cleaning the plane with a microfiber towel and 3 oz of Turtle Wax Rinse Free Wash and Wax in a spray bottle with 24 oz water. Spray it on the buggy areas - let it set for a min - wipe off the bugs, easy-peasy. Smells great and leaves a light wax finish that helps with the bugs next time.

32 oz bottle on sale at Menard's for $5 will make gallons of plane cleaner. MADE IN THE USA! Try it - no great loss if you no likey!



__________________
Cheers,
Pete

Amateur Plane - RV-9A N789PH - 2350+ Hrs
Amateur Radio - KD0CVN
Doggies Delivered - 25+
St. Paul, MN
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 07-10-2013, 10:12 PM
java's Avatar
java java is offline
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Calgary, Canada
Posts: 408
Default

Coupla drops of Dawn in water in a spray bottle is my solution (oh the puns I didn't take advantage of). Biggest thing I've noticed is that if I do a quick clean after each flight, it is waaaaay easier than if I let it build up.
__________________
JV

Calgary, Alberta, Canada
RV7 QB - Airframe largely complete, sans canopy and glass... unfortunately sold
RV6 - O-360-A1A, Hartzell CS, dual G3X VFR... purchased

Dues paid 2015

"Being defeated is only a temporary condition; giving up is what makes it permanent."
-- Marilyn vos Savant
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 07-11-2013, 07:18 AM
N269SD N269SD is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: NA
Posts: 47
Default

I just use plane water.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-05-2013, 02:10 PM
ChiefPilot's Avatar
ChiefPilot ChiefPilot is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1,565
Default

Resurrecting this middle-aged thread after trying this stuff.

As Pete found, it works *great*! I picked up a bottle for $5 from Menards and mixed 1/2oz with water into a 32oz spray bottle. Going around the aircraft, doing one section at a time, worked great and I found that the 32oz. bottle was just about the perfect size as I had only a couple oz. left when done.
__________________
Brad Benson, Maplewood MN.
RV-6A N164BL, Flying since Nov 2012!
If you're not making mistakes, you're probably not making anything

Last edited by ChiefPilot : 11-05-2013 at 03:06 PM. Reason: Clarified mixture
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-05-2013, 02:17 PM
bkilby's Avatar
bkilby bkilby is online now
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Newnan, GA
Posts: 318
Default

You used 30 oz of cleaner at one time! I use the Simple Green Aviation in the spray bottle.. I use it until it gets half way empty and then top off the bottle with water. I have done this a few times and the stuff still works great cut down.. I probably only use a couple ounces of cleaner at a time.


Quote:
Originally Posted by ChiefPilot View Post
Resurrecting this middle-aged thread after trying this stuff.

As Pete found, it works *great*! I picked up a bottle for $5 from Menards and mixed it up into a 32oz spray bottle. Going around the aircraft, doing one section at a time, worked great and I found that the 32oz. bottle was just about the perfect size as I had only a couple oz. left when done.
__________________
Brian Kilby
flying RV-6A, previously flying RV-9A
based at KCTJ, Carrollton, GA
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-05-2013, 02:50 PM
F1Boss's Avatar
F1Boss F1Boss is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Taylor Texas
Posts: 811
Default K.I.S.S.

Lemon Pledge. Use it on all surfaces, incl plexi. Way less expensive when compared to the 'airplane plexi' stuff. OK on fabric covered ships too. Sometimes I apply this stuff with a bug sponge to get the really nasty ones off.

The spray cans transport easily/safely when you are traveling.

Please use a very clean towel on the plexi - no paper products.

In case I hadn't mentioned it before, I hate wiping airplanes. Been doing it since I was 4; my Dad taught me early! I wondered about the carbon tetrachloride he had me using way back then, but it did work. Is that stuff even legal these days?

Wait a minute - I fly round engine airplanes too! Sometimes a bit of Goop Hand cleaner is required there to get the exhaust off - but not the stuff with pumice in it, please. Works on those hot water 12s too.

BTW the Goop cleaner will take smoke oil residue off too.

Carry on!
Mark
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-05-2013, 03:04 PM
ChiefPilot's Avatar
ChiefPilot ChiefPilot is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1,565
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bkilby View Post
You used 30 oz of cleaner at one time!
No. I should have been more clear. The stuff is concentrated and mixed with water. I used 1/2 oz. of cleaner mixed with water to form 32 oz of cleaner.

I use Simple Green as well to clean the leading edges between flights, but it doesn't leave a polished/waxed surface like the Turtle Wax product does.
__________________
Brad Benson, Maplewood MN.
RV-6A N164BL, Flying since Nov 2012!
If you're not making mistakes, you're probably not making anything

Last edited by ChiefPilot : 11-05-2013 at 03:08 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-05-2013, 05:26 PM
gasman gasman is offline
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sonoma County
Posts: 3,821
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by N269SD View Post
I just use plane water.
Where can I purchase plane water?...........................
__________________
VAF #897 Warren Moretti
2019 =VAF= Dues PAID
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-05-2013, 08:13 PM
Sam Buchanan's Avatar
Sam Buchanan Sam Buchanan is offline
been here awhile
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,301
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by gasman View Post
Where can I purchase plane water?...........................
Same place you get propwash......
__________________
Sam Buchanan
RV-6
Fokker D.VII replica
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-06-2013, 08:53 AM
Aryana Aryana is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Western US
Posts: 98
Default

I saw some for sale right next to a couple 50 yard spools of flight line...
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:23 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.