Another idea
I?ve found this system works best for me on anything from rag and tube aircraft with leaky radials to RVs to light twins:
0) Buy a bulk box of large microfiber cloths from Amazon
1) Remove grease, oil, and fuel this way: with a squirt bottle of mineral spirits, spray a light mist on the dirty areas and wipe clean with a microfiber rag. Safe on paint, aluminum, fabric, plastic, etc. I?ve never found anything else that is as effective on oils while being gentle on the underlying surface.
2) Remove brake dust with a squirt of Krud Kutter (available at Lowe?s and Home Depot) and a microfiber rag. I avoid squirting this on bare aluminum and plexiglass. Rinse with water mist from a squirt bottle.
3) Remove bugs and dirt with a mist of water and a microfiber rag.
4) At this point, the airplane is clean and ready for wax or polish. Wax painted surfaces with a non-abrasive, non-silicone automotive wax. Apply and Remove with microfiber rags. Between wax applications, polish with Meguiars quick detail spray, or better still, Perfect Detail (available from Spruce) and a microfiber rag.
5) If the aircraft was cleaned using steps 1-4 and has accumulated some hangar dust from sitting a while, use a California duster to restore the shine. Use the California duster only for removing dust from an otherwise clean surface, and it?ll last 10-15 years.
When rags are contaminated with abrasive dirt or touch the ground, I throw them away or save them for dirty work around the shop. Also, I use a different rag with each cleaning medium.
The whole process is pretty fast (except for waxing) if you have the rags and squirt bottles handy.
Happy cleaning!
M