How do you wash an aircraft??

[Who has control?]

I was sitting on the wing of the aircraft on saturday and I noticed that it had lost its pristine gleam. Not to put to fine a point on it - it was grubby!!

Now I know how to clean a car, (although judging by the current state of it you'd never have guessed), but an aircraft? More difficult.

So whats the technique? Do you slop soapy water over it with a sponge and then leather it off like a car? Do I pop into Halfords for a bottle of Gleamo Wash'n'Wax or do I have to buy an Aviation Certified Cleansing Product to Spec W45H-N-G134M :)
Can I polish the canopy with Windolene & a fluffy duster, or is a more sophisticated method required?

Any advice grateful received, before the neighbours start to complain.

:o :o :o

[IanSeager]

You can use warm water and a mild detergent for the paintwork. If you are going to do a thorough job you might want to use white spirit underneath to get rid of any oily stuff first. You might also want to cover up the static ports first - if you do this don't forget to uncover them (Sounds obvious I know...but...)

The perspex is a different matter though - I would be very wary about using commercial stuff designed for glass.

Happy cleaning

Ian

[FlyingForFun]

What aircraft is it? I'm not sure I'd use the same techniques for washing a wood+fabric open-cockpit aircraft as I'd use for a aluminium spam-can-type aircraft or for a composite aircraft.

FFF
-------------

[sunnysideup]

Don't

Pay the £30ish required by an aircraft cleaner (they always have a card on the club/bar/hanger notice board).

It will save you three hours of grief and soggy underpants

:D

[Spiney Norman]

To do it properly takes ages and has been said, you will get wet. It's absolutely amazing were water will run out/off of! Friendly locals will come out to talk to you and discuss what you're doing, the aeroplane, etc. You'll need a couple of cups of Tea/Coffee of course, and the day will suddenly be ending and you probably won't have finished. If this appeals then be very careful about detergent because alot of it contains salt and it will collect somewhere. Perspex needs specialised Perspex cleaner, (Windolene won't do)! there's plenty on the market but it's not cheap. Avoid jet washers around any lubricated areas like Elevator, Rudder or Aileron hinges, Undercarriage areas etc because they will remove grease/oil that should be there. The underbelly, I use spray on Gunk which will get rid of any oil deposits but be cautious using it around aerial fittings, lights etc. If you want to you can use a wax finish and this seems to help get rid of surface dust that will collect in any hangar. It does this because you can dry dust the aircraft, (you've got to use a very clean soft cloth), and it will come off very easily. A top tip I was told was put a coat of Pledge along the leading edge, (metal aircraft only of course)! It helps by allowing you to clean off the dead flies more easily. Anyway, you takes your money and makes your choice.

Spiney

[bcfc]

On the windscreen, we use a plastic polish (can't remember name) and it comes up a treat. Windowlene and other cleaning fluids don't do the platic windscreens any good, apparently .

[Spiney Norman]

Just popped down to the garage to have a look in my 'Aeroplane box' and the perspex polish I use is Megulars Mirror Glaze 10. I've got a mate who swears by a polish for metal surfaces called Mir which I think he said is designed for caravans! personally I didn't think it was any better than the usual car polishes.

Spiney

[maggioneato]

Anyone with any ideas how to remove the squashed bugs? they just don't want to come off. A couple of hours flying and it looks as if it has'nt been cleaned for months. Bug remover from Halfords did'nt do much, jet wash sounds appealing, anyone tried it, aircraft is on a grass strip ,no one else's aircraft seems to have such a good coating, thought waxing it might help ,but it did'nt make any difference.:( Job for tomorrow.Yuk.

[Spiney Norman]

Yep. Try de-greaser like Gunk or Jizer. Spray on, leave for about 20-30 minutes and they come off much easier. Although that's a relative term cos I'm convinced most insects are in fact animated evo-stik.

Spiney

OOps! Should have said...Metal wings ONLY.

[Future Pundit]

I dissagree with the above points on perspex cleaners.

I have been using wax free polish on the canopies of gliders for over 20 years. Nobody in the gliding world would advise using a high cost aviation cleaner. At clubs and competitions over the UK you will see commercial products in use.

Windolene tends to smudge, try using Sparkle.

[ozplane]

Being semi-retired I wash a few aircraft and rarely use anything other than water and a bucket and sponge. This was passed on to me by a guy from Autoglym polshes who works in the car valeting area and he reckoned that power washers can leave the fine scratches that you get with a car-wash. A twice yearly coat of Autoglym polish works well and the difference between a polished and non-polished aircraft is very noticeable when it comes to shifting bugs. I've found Mr Muscle bathroom cleaner is good if the bugs won't move on the leading edge and unlike other writers I've used Windolene on my canopy for 10 years and had no problems.
I hope this helps but it can be very rewarding and might even be worth a knot or two in the cruise if you get it right.

[Who has control?]

Thanks for your answers - keep them coming!

FFF - its a metal one and its not hangared. (If you have a Bulldog at EGSX - then you are my neighbour. Or am I confusing you with FNG???)

Windolene was tongue-in-cheek comment 'cos I couldn't think of any other 'glass' cleaner.

Wendy L & Spiney N - the hardest substance known to mankind is not diamonds - its squashed bugs!

[AerBabe]

I'm sure we just use a bit of diluted washing up liquid and a sponge on our screens... mind you, not my job ;)

sunnysideup It will save you three hours of grief and soggy underpants Someone has to say it... what if you like having soggy underpants? :D

[FlyingForFun]

Who has control, sorry but I think you've got me confused with someone else. I don't have a Bulldog, and I don't fly out of EGSX (in fact, not sure where EGSX is without looking it up!) I fly a Europa out of EGLM (White Waltham, to save you looking it up!) And FNG is my neigbour there - he has a share in a Cap 10b.

By the way, I hope you weren't expecting an answer from me as to what to clean the aircraft with! My original post probably made it sound like I had some good advice for you, but needed more info first - well, I don't - just thought that those who do have good advice might like more info! :D

FFF
---------------

[AerBabe]

If anyone's interested, EGSX is North Weald :)

[Aerobatic Flyer]

Aerbabe

Someone has to say it... what if you like having soggy underpants?
You buy an Antonov and keep it very very clean!:D

[sunnysideup]

AerBabe

Depends what I was doing to get them soggy!!:p

Bugs - I got a "rise & shine" "specialist aviation" bug removing cloth for £3 from a maintenance shed. That with hot water and a bit of fairy (no, I'm not talking underpants again) does the job.

I leave the rest to the people who actually enjoy getting paid to clean aircraft.

[expedite_climb]

We used to wash the aircraft on the crap weather days, or should I say, get the cadets to do them and we would supervise. (!). Always seemed to end in a water fight !

Soapy water is good.

You can buy bug and tar remover from your local halfords, which worked a treat on my car, as unless you wash the a/c after every time you fly youll get bugs you cant shift !.

One word of warning, next time you fly the a/c beware when you open the fresh air vents as you may get a wash on certain types !

The PA38 used to do this as it has a big fresh air scoop that is bound to get water in it ! (or otherwise cover it too !)

[Spiney Norman]

Hey! There's definately a trend building up here and it's
A. Everything you've been told is c**p actually gives top results!

B. Soggy underpants should be an ambition not something to avoid!

So I reckon....
1. Pay somebody else to do it
2. Go down the pub.

Anybody else with me?
Spiney

[AerBabe]

Yeah, mine's a pint :)

Actually, I would probably really enjoy washing an aircraft... especially if it's something interesting. No better way of getting to know the thing inside out :o (And it has nothing to do with enjoyment or otherwise of damp undies)

[Tinstaafl]

I don't worry about it. One of the company's maintenance engineers looks after that sort of stuff!:p

[Skylark4]

First position aircraft on your dedicated wash pan and ensure that the drains are set to collect the contaminated water so that it doesn`t get into the ground water. Spray on special aviation detergent foam with expensive machine. Scrub with nylon brushes. Rinse off with clean water. Get water out of everywhere it shouldn`t have gone. Lubricate everything. Find licensed engineer to sign for it.

OR:- use anything soapy, Mix up a strong solution in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe using lots of cloths. This will even work on that black gunge underneath. Ardrox aircraft cleaner, neat, is best for this.

Canopies should be cleaned with specialised cleaners or soap and water. Use Fairy or similar with a clean sponge for a serious clean and follow with a chamois leather and a soft cloth to finish. Special canopy cloths are available, lint free and probably anti-static. Do not use `janatorial`cleaners on canopies, even if your mate swears by it. Different clear plastics are used and different solvents appear in cleaners. They don`t tell you they are changing. Always clean in one direction, do not make circles.

Polishes. NEVER USE ANYTHING WITH SILICONE IN IT.
At least it will make repairs to your paint job difficult, at worst it will kill you because the glue used in any future repair may not stick. I spent ten years as a self employed furniture restorer / woodturner / French polisher. I know what I`m talking about.
IF IT DOESN`T SAY IT THAT IT DOES NOT CONTAIN SILICONE, ASSUME IT DOES.

Mike W

[willbav8r]

After every flight "pledge" the leading edges and engine cowlings.

Not only less drag;
Bug residue will wipe off nicely.
Leaves more time for down the pub.

Don't forget the up and down motion for the canopy/plexiglass windows. :)

[maggioneato]

On my way to have a go at the offending bug splattered aircraft, armed with all this advise, how can I go wrong? Don't have any underpants. Oops.:D

[Spiney Norman]

So the rumours about the Wirral ARE true!

Spiney

[Who has control?]

So, Aerbabe sweetie :) :) :)

You said that you wouldn't mind washing an aircraft....I understand that you have plans to be at Sywell on the 5th ???
So if I provide bucket, sponge and aircraft - will you do the honours?? :)


Thinks - I wonder if I can get a Vulcan into Sywell ??

[AerBabe]

A) What aircraft is it?
B) How long will you let me fly it for?
C) Will you dry my undies for me?
:D

[EI_Sparks]

Control, I'm disappointed - you didn't think to ask if you could dress up as an aeroplane....
*evil grin*

[maggioneato]

Spiney Norman. Tell us all about what you have heard about the Wirral that I hav'nt heard. Obviously something to do with underpants,give us all a laugh. Bet the fellas round here don't wear them. Hate to admit, I did'nt clean the aircraft, it was a lovely day, so I went flying instead. Will try again on Tuesday.:p