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Airplane cleaning

R

RNB

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Today was the first time I've cleaned the leading edges on my wings since it was detailed maybe a year ago. I just used very dilute dawn. I think I want to develop better habits.

Hangar neighbor showed me his "clean all wax all" blue chemical that he uses.

An old CFI swore by pledge after each flight.

What do you do and why? What products? How often?

If it matters, mine has ceramic coating and I think I need to use something to refreshen this.
 
The blue stuff is great and smells good, but it’s a bit pricey. A substitute that seems to work just as well as the blue stuff and is a little less expensive is Meguiar’s Last Touch Spray Detailer. It can be purchased via Amazon. I’ve also used Pledge in the past with good results. Kinda ends up being a Ford vs. Chevy discussion.

One thing I absolutely wouldn’t use is any type of dishwashing soap. That stuff tends to strip wax or whatever you’ve applied as a protective coating. I’m still learning the ceramic coating products so I’m not sure if it’d strip those types of coatings, but I know some folks actually use Dawn to help strip old wax from their vehicles before they start a new polish & wax process.
 
Once a year: Clay Bar to remove contaminants and apply ceramic spray wax.

After every flight: Wipe belly with diluted dawn detergent and wipe leading edges with ceramic spray wax.

 
Extreme Green after flight. Takes a few minutes to clean the bugs off leading surfaces, pants and wipe the belly clean of oil. Then a wipe with Meguires Quick Wax. To be fair, it's vinyl wrapped.
 
RNB said:
Today was the first time I've cleaned the leading edges on my wings since it was detailed maybe a year ago. I just used very dilute dawn. I think I want to develop better habits.

Hangar neighbor showed me his "clean all wax all" blue chemical that he uses.

An old CFI swore by pledge after each flight.

What do you do and why? What products? How often?

If it matters, mine has ceramic coating and I think I need to use something to refreshen this.
Click to expand...
I use Bug Slide after every flight to remove the bugs (i.e., acid bombs). I just started using Rejex on the leading edges, and it seems to make removing the bugs even easier. I use Griotts Garage “Best in Show” wax on the wing and fuselage tops, because that is what Van’s uses/used at Oshkosh on their display planes. Super easy to apply.
 
Whatever cleaner you use, a 5 gallon bucket with a microfiber towel always at the ready in the hangar allows you to wipe down the leading edges and prop immediately after flying before the bugs harden up. It’s way easier than waiting until later. Personally I put just a little bit of Rainex windshield washer bug formula in the water. May not be good for wax, but it does help with the bugs. I think I stole that idea from Paul New.
 
I spray the leading edges with water (and any other spots with dead bugs) and wipe them with a microfiber cloth after every flight. Makes it very essy to keep the plane clean.

When the belly needs a wash, I spray on mineral spirits, let it sit for a few minutes, wipe off, spray again, wipe, and then use Simple Green Extreme (safe for aluminum) if needed, and rinse with water.

For wax, I use Meguiar’s Ultimate Quick Wax. Spray on, wipe off. It stays for a pretty good while, is nice and slick, and makes the plane look great.
 
The leading edges of the wings, canopy, wheel pants and prop are hit with a spray bottle filled with windshield washer fluid (water with a touch of alcohol) and a microfiber cloth after every flight. A couple of times a year the entire plane gets a Turkish bath using car wash detergent (a bucket of car wash, a bucket of clear water, and three towels).
I can't image what my leading edges would look like if they hadn't been cleaned in a year......
 
I use a teaspoon of Simple green in a quart spray bottle filled with water. I clean all leading edges after each flight. with the spray bottle and a microfiber cloth
For cleaning the Belly, I use Awesome from Dollar General at 100% concentration whipped off with Bowny paper towel. Follow it with the simple green solution then I use Lucas Ceramic Speed wax polished with a microfiber cloth. Works well.

I also use the Lucas Ceramic Speed wax on the leading edges about once a month and on the entire plane 2 - 3 times a year.
 
+1 on plain (plane) water after each flight. The critters come off quickly when fresh, but if you let them dry on for a few days, weeks, months then your ceramic coating is a waste. You can spend 10 minutes post flight, or much more time when they get hard and crusty.

Curious, how often do you clean the canopy?
 
Man, I wish I had the time to wipe the entire airplane down after each flight!

I guess that will have to wait until I am retired…
 
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