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Old 20th Nov 2006, 16:19
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Shampoo for washing planes?

Having had ludicrous quotes from various plane cleaners, I am getting a car cleaning man friend to do the plane.

First time it's been cleaned in several years. It's amazing how effective rain is at 150kt

I am concerned about corrosion. He won't use a power washer, of course. What do people use that is safe for de-greasing?
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 16:48
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We use a traffic film remover of which I can't remember the name of right now. It gets everything off in one hit including bugs, dirt and oil. Fantastic stuff to use first to get the real nasty stuff off.

When I'm in tomorrow I'll get the brand name.
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 16:56
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I know it's boring, I know it's been said before, but ... please please, it's AEROPLANE not "plane"

I just use a decent car shampoo / wax.

SS
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 17:00
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I once read that WD-40 mixed with water and then used through a pressure washer works well. Who wants to give it a try and let me know?
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 17:46
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Originally Posted by shortstripper
I know it's boring, I know it's been said before, but ... please please, it's AEROPLANE not "plane"

SS
YES its boring and incorrect to boot.

plane1 –noun
1.a flat or level surface.
2.Geometry. a surface ...
3.Fine Arts. an area of a two-dimensional surface...
4.a level of dignity...
5.Aeronautics.
a.an airplane or a hydroplane: to take a plane to Dallas.
b.a thin, flat or curved, extended section of an airplane

Theres nothing wrong with the use of plane or 'plane in this context. Whats your problem?
GW
PS apologies for the off-topic reply, hope your plane cleans up nicely!
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 18:22
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Come on boys and girls, let's not turn this into a forum closely resembling a certain "other one" which is full of meaningless replies carrying zero information.
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 18:36
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Try;

Kleen Jet is a biodegradable aircraft industry cleaner and degreaser. It is a water-soluble, non-flammable, non-toxic concentrate that leaves no oily film or residual gumminess.

Rod1
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 20:19
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I keep my AEROplanes very clean and wash/polish them frequently. My favourite AEROplane cleaner depends on exactly which AEROplane I am cleaning:

Mr Muscle
Plexus
warm water and gentle soap
Avgas
WD40
diesel

It is of course an aeroplane, Gullwing! Was in the late 70's when I joined Her Majesty's flying club, still is today.

I applaud you SS for upholding standards. You certainly won't find me even looking at other forum.

Last edited by stiknruda; 20th Nov 2006 at 20:21. Reason: spelling - written as spoken 'ere on farm
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 21:03
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B&Q have a road traffic film remover they sell alongside their pressure washer range. Seems pretty good...... Any good autofactor will also have degreaser that will remove most dirt.... use it neat on a rag & wash off really well with warm water and washing up liquid.... A good coat of polish then...
I use a product called "gunk"... this is used in the auto industry to clean engines... put on with a rag and washed off with water... it is water soluble.
A coat of polish helps stop the build up of dirt again.......... then again my AEROplane is composite.

Jon
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 21:16
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degreaser

On the subject of degreasers I use "Simple Green".
small quantities are enough to remove oil/exhaust stains from around the exhaust pipe of my R44.
The thick and clingy mixture of engine oil/ exhgaust and TKS fluid on the underbelly of my Mooney is very reluctant to shift with anything but Simple Green and even this requires copious quantities of elbow grease applied lying under the aircraft on a mechanic's roller. What fun! Important to wear eye protection for this job as lots of splashback into eyes is not uncommon.

For general cleaning I use Autoglym car shampoo, a clean sponge and a chamois leather.
Once or twice a year I do every painted surface (except transparencies) with autoglym resin polish - it works beautifully and keeps your bird shining like a new pin.

Anyone have any experience wuth the anti-corrosion products out there?

SB
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Old 20th Nov 2006, 21:38
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Just be carefull if you are using commercial TFR (Traffic Film Remover). Some brands have a high Alkali or Acid content which don't do Aluminium Aircraft any favors. Try and find one thats neutral. They are a little more expensive but work just as well.

Aluminium has a good durability against many chemicals. Low or high pH-values (less than 4 and more than 9) lead to a dissolution of the coating of the oxide and to a rapid corrosion of the Aluminium.
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Old 21st Nov 2006, 04:16
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Does anybody know where one can get "Kleen Jet" in the UK? A google reveals only Aircraft Spruce in the USA. I use them but they are a pain and it would be silly importing a bottle of liquid from them - would probably have to go by sea freight... I also wrote to Simple Green asking for their advice.
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Old 21st Nov 2006, 08:53
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A/c washing kit?

Originally Posted by IO540
It's amazing how effective rain is at 150kt
I am concerned about corrosion. He won't use a power washer, of course.
The group I belong to has just has an aircraft washing event. One of the things that occurred to us was to make judicious use of a power washer next time.
Why shouldn't we? If there are good reasons not to then I'd appreciate knowing about them before we do any damage!
FWIW the a/c is a PA38 and lives outside most of the time.
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Old 21st Nov 2006, 11:31
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Why shouldn't we? If there are good reasons not to then I'd appreciate knowing about them before we do any damage!
Water pentration into joints, seals, bearings etc. The airframe is designed to shelter bits like this from the worst effects of water carried in the slip stream whilst flying. With a pressure washer you can back flush bits that the airflow can't normally get at.

Pressure washers are fine for cleaning tractors, excavators and cows! But best avoided for aircraft.

A point to remember is that any form of detergent or cleaner will degrade the lubricants in hinges, cables etc so once you've finished washing get round with the grease gun and or WD40 to prevent corrosion setting in.

Don't use washing up liquid either it's loaded with salt.
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Old 21st Nov 2006, 11:34
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You can buy jetwash proof grease for bikes!

If you are going to use a traffic film remover try and get some thais non-corrosive(generally labeled 'matchless') the normal tfr does a fine job of wrecking rubber parts....
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Old 21st Nov 2006, 14:47
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I've not used this mysef - only just discovered the website today in fact!
No worries about jetwashing if it really works though...
http://www.intextsolutions.com/
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Old 21st Nov 2006, 17:54
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Simple Green UK tel. 01726 891199 have just the stuff for this purpose.

http://www.simplegreen.ch/pages/page...ubsubnav_id=35

They responded very quick.
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Old 21st Nov 2006, 18:16
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Simple Green is probably the answer, but as an alternative intextsolutions might possibly be of interest. That product contains Carnauba wax and kaolin clay.
<<Carnauba car wax repels water and, consequently, most contaminants. When applied to any surface, carnauba retains these characteristics. Therefore, an application of a carnauba-based car wax to your vehicle will protect it from UV rays, heat, moisture, oxidation, and environmental contamination. And it looks like a million bucks!
The drawback of carnauba waxes, if you can call it a drawback, is that it does not last as long as a synthetic sealant. A carnauba car wax finish will wear off in approximately 6 to 8 weeks. It depends heavily on the climate in which you live and whether or not your vehicle is garaged. Daily commutes in a hot, humid climate mean a shorter life span for your carnauba wax coat. If you enjoy regular waxing, then the life span of a carnauba wax is just one more reason to indulge in your favorite hobby!>>
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Old 22nd Nov 2006, 11:43
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you could try zymol http://www.zymol.com/
as used on ferraris, maseratis, lambos etc at a price in my opinion but could be worth it (they do have an aircraft section as well)
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Old 25th Nov 2006, 22:21
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Why to spend all this money? Use White Spirit, it is safe, cleans everything and gives you enough time to wipe it with a dry cloth.
This was my job at the airforce for the first 5 months, all the 20 of them
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