How to wash the plane without water

[N546RV]

I was gonna say to get a California car duster, but it seems I've been beaten to the punch. If all you have is dust, the duster will take it right off.

[flyboy1963]

Originally Posted by DEWATSON

Matt,

Use PLEDGE furniture polish on the canopy and wipe off with a soft cloth.

Lots af advice on here; just a note, although tons of guys use Pledge, all the acrylic manufacturers specifically say NOT to. Do you really want to use $2 cleaner on a $1000 canopy? I believe Plexus and many other cleaners specifically made for acrylic have anti-static properties and will not build up like the carnuba wax in pledge.
If you are 'blowing off' the dust with compressed air...does it then magically go away? ....more likely, it settles over a wider area later, you breathe it etc.
How about a little shopvac with a HEPA filter. If you are physically wiping every square foot, why not actually get RID of the dust?
Obviously, keeping it out is going to pay dividends in the long run.
good luck! ( wish I had a hangar). envious!

[longranger]

I had forgotten about the California Duster (and that's what I use)

I used Pledge on my airplane windows for many years without a problem until one day someone mentioned to me that Johnson & Johnson is under no obligation not to change the formula to contain some ingredient that ISN'T compatible with acrylic.

[PCHunt]

Originally Posted by DEWATSON

.........You can also clean the belly with SCRUBBING BUBBLES bathroom cleaner once you get it flying. Spray it on, wait a few minutes and wipe it off. .........

While Scrubbing Bubbles does remove greasy stuff well, the reason it does so is that the pH is 12.1. It is my understanding that a substance with that pH can get into the tiny gaps in the joints and cause havoc over time.

I would stay away from cleaners that strong.

Google the msds for whatever product you choose to use.

Here is a link to Scrubbing Bubbles msds: http://www.cleanitsupply.com/Downloa...RK%2094308.pdf

Would love for a chemical engineer to step in here..............

[flytoboat]

Originally Posted by PCHunt

While Scrubbing Bubbles does remove greasy stuff well, the reason it does so is that the pH is 12.1. It is my understanding that a substance with that pH can get into the tiny gaps in the joints and cause havoc over time.

I would stay away from cleaners that strong.

Google the msds for whatever product you choose to use.

Here is a link to Scrubbing Bubbles msds: http://www.cleanitsupply.com/Downloa...RK%2094308.pdf

Would love for a chemical engineer to step in here..............

Pete, Thanks for posting this as I was wondering if Scrubbing Bubbles was safe for aircraft. What is the best product to use for removing oil from the bottom of airplanes? (sorry for the thread creep)

[PCHunt]

IMHO, plain old solvent, such as Stoddard solvent, works very well, and doesn't leave a damaging residue. Then follow with diluted Aviation Simple Green.

Diluting the Aviation Simple Green makes it wipe off much easier, and was strongly recommended by the vendor (Simple Green) at OSH. Dilute at least 1:1 or more water. Even 2 or 3 units water to 1 unit ASG will work well behind solvent.

YMMV.

[rebelflier]

I have used WD-40 or the cheap Wally World brand to clean my belly. It usually takes less than one can. I don't know if I would use it before painting. It works great, but I'm not sure if it is harmful or not. Maybe someone will know.

[Guy Prevost]

Originally Posted by flytoboat

Pete, Thanks for posting this as I was wondering if Scrubbing Bubbles was safe for aircraft. What is the best product to use for removing oil from the bottom of airplanes? (sorry for the thread creep)

Aviation Simple Green works wonders. The oil just rolls off. I use it on dirt bikes too. I buy mine in 1 gallon concentrate from Spruce.

Standard simple green is not good for aluminum either.

[docskj]

Honda Pro Polish is available in Honda motorcycle dealers and a lot of Harley dealers stock this. It takes off the belly grease like its nothing and puts a nice shine and polish on. I've also "washed" my entire plane with this a number of times. It is safe for Plexi/Lexan and it is great for post-flight bug removal. If it's good enough for my Harley, it's good enough for the RV. The price is actually reasonable.

Steve
RV-9A

[Guy Prevost]

Originally Posted by docskj

---snip. If it's good enough for my Harley, it's good enough for the RV. snip--

Steve
RV-9A

If that cleaner can handle the amount of oil a Harley leaks it must be good stuff! It's a good thing it's made by Honda and not Harley, otherwise it might make your plane slow and unable to turn! (Kidding of course....)