Plane Cleaner

[petehowell]

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!

[java]

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.

[N269SD]

I just use plane water.

[ChiefPilot]

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.

[bkilby]

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.

Originally Posted by ChiefPilot

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.

[F1Boss]

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

[ChiefPilot]

Originally Posted by bkilby

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.

[gasman]

Originally Posted by N269SD

I just use plane water.

Where can I purchase plane water?...........................

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by gasman

Where can I purchase plane water?...........................

Same place you get propwash......

[Aryana]

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