Reason why NBW didn't get a wash!
OQA went into SAIEC for some repainting on its airframe and underwing on 12 April. SAIEC had wanted AUD 40K for a wash but the problem lied with the accumulated grease and dirt trapped behind each window outer frame. That means no sooner you wash the outside, the dirt streak marks will appear after couple days of rain. I believe CY made a very sensible decision not to have spent the money and for the detailed cleaning done in SYD.
I give much credit to the QF engineering team led by CY for their extraordinary effort and patience in dealing with the highly bearucratic Changi Airport Corp and Changi Police, SIAEC and the rest. In spite that SIAEC was making from QF some astronomical amount of money from the hangar rental and engineering work, OQA had overstayed its welcome at the end, hangar resource is normally scarce in any case, let alone a 16 month occupation, hence the aircraft was forced to have its work completed in a remote bay - B104 just off the Budget Terminal. A fully operational work site had to be set up for the last schedule work.
A side episode; halfway into the remote bay operation, #3 RH fan cowl was damaged by a runaway SATS engineering stairs. The QF team didn’t make any fuss with finger pointing, and just got on with the rectification. This was greatly appreciated by SATS, and in turn gave their full cooperation to have the aircraft cleaned in record time and fit for the big press event on 21April.