Cleaning and Detailing Your Airplane- No Water Please!
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- čas přidán 1. 08. 2020
- FlyWire looks at washing and detailing your airplane in the 21st Century! Don't miss this one, it'll save you a lot of dough!
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FlyWire is about exploring flight and the freedom this incredible experience brings us on a personal level. Flying has always captured the imagination and excitement of living life to its fullest. Hi, I'm Scott Perdue. In a former life I flew the F-4 and F-15E, more recently I retired from a major airline. I've written for several aviation magazines over the years, was a consultant for RAND, the USAF, Navy, NASA as well as few others, wrote a military thriller- 'Pale Moon Rising' (still on Kindle). But mostly I like flying, or teaching flying. Some of the most fun I had was with Tom Gresham on a TV show called 'Wings to Adventure". We flew lots of different airplanes all over the country. Now with FlyWire I want to showcase the fun in flying, share the joy and freedom of flight and explore the world with you. Make sure you subscribe if you want to go along for the ride!
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I used to be a professional detailer. That regular turtle wax ceramic spray is the best out there. Better than the expensive products by far in my experience.
This is too awesome! My airplane got detailed this weekend and all I did was ask questions relating to products and techniques he uses!! Couldn't have been hit home better.
Check out Aviana Detailing on CZcams if you want to learn the best methods and products to care for your airplane
Your timing is impeccable Gunny. After cleaning out the inside of my "new to me" A36 that got here on the 31st, I started thinking today about the question of "How should I clean the outside?"
This is the best timed video (for me). Our Bo has collected a nice bit of dirt on the surface and was thinking about calling a local detailer who basically soaks the planes with water. Instead, I'm going to head out this afternoon and use your tips.
Chris, that’s great! Good luck! Keep us posted.
Greatly helpful video...Thank You Scott for an informative and thoughtful video..!!
Great cleaning tips and product overview Scott!!
I know this video is a few years old but I was one of the guys that got to fly out to Arizona and test that ceramic spray for Turtle Wax! I use their ceramic detailer on my own airplane after each flight, it gives a minor layer or ceramic on top each wipe down. That ceramic stuff is great, if you get around to it try their new graphene stuff, just amazing and even more protective!!
Pledge is the best kept secret in aviation. A bargain when compared to those pricey plexiglass cleaners, and does every bit as good. After each flight I clean the leading edges with FW1 carnauba wax cleaner - so quick & easy.
That’s what everybody does their plexiglass is pledge it auctully polishes the pledge and it works great even on the painted parts of a plane
Another great, detailed discussion of an undervalued topic. These things are collectors items in many cases with the popularity of GA. It nice to keep them in the best condition you can for the next generation.
I totally agree!
I watched this video when it came out and rewatched recently before the big clean day today. Good tips. As of typing this comment, just South of you at Spinks, now has the shiniest Bonanza in the area. Ohh the beautiful satisfaction of a spectacular A36 gleaming in the sun.
Glad to hear it!!
Scott, detailer's tip: if you drop a clay bar, don't try to clean it off and use again. It'll have grit embedded in the clay that will mar and damage your paint. Best to chuck it and get new clay or use an artificial clay towel, which, as you pointed out, CAN be washed and reused. Great video!
Absolutely. I actually prefer the actual clay bar myself. I split up the bar and throw away the bit I'm using often.
loving the vids!!!
Great discussion of cleaning and waxing airplanes - thanks for an excellent video.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks Scott - I just bought a 1978 152 that I'm sure has the original paint job on it - very oxidised. It's time to buy some products and get to work!
Live the video, but have used water (filtered) on several occasions over the years with no issues.
Regardless, learned a lot here!
Thanks!
This video is very helpful. Thanks. I have tried many products to clean the belly of my airplane and my preference is Goop hand cleaner. Smear Goop on one section of the belly at a time, wipe it off dry, and then proceed to the next section.
The abrasives in the cleaner leaves swirls in the paint
alot of motocross tracks make you hose you're bike down on a blue tarp, beaouse at the end of the day, because every dirt bike accumulates an average 3 ibs on every bike. So by the end of the day, after a 100 bikes tear up dirt, It ends up tearing 1000s of ibs of dirt every year. Just like the grand canyon it adds up over time. Point being, dirt adds weight to the airframe also causing more weight and more drag. just my opinion, im not a pilot so take that with a grain of salt
Great tips! Now I just need to buy myself a plane
Excellent Hug... Keep us posted! Planes are better than cars!
Awesome tips, one time someone told me long time ago, WD-40 stand for water displayment 40%
So, yes is not a lubricant, but we may think so and use it as such.
Good tips 👍
I think they won a nasa contract to keep the outside of space vehicles clean of dust and grease. And maybe to displace water.
Thanks for the video. Can I make a suggestion about the ceramic coating portion? I do this for a living and have done extensive testing on bonding and longevity of several different types of ceramic coatings. I love the one you’re using by the way! But anyway the cleaning process should not be done with a detailer product that has any wax or other protection in it. That inhibits the ceramic coating from properly bonding to the surface. Use a product called ONR. Optimum no rinse. One bottle makes hundreds of gallons. It doesn’t contain any protection products that will interfere with the bonding of the ceramic protective material.
As a professional detailer, I would never use automotive products on airplanes. These products are not approved for airplanes and contain alkaline which is corrosive to the airplane skin. I only use products that have approvals from major manufactures eg Boeing, Airbus, Bombardier, Cessna Beech.
After washing the plane I find that once around the pattern usually dries it out fairly well. Also, if you drop the clay bar on the ground its best to toss it because the dirt it picks up will be like sand paper on the paint.
Thanks Dom! When I watched the video through after editing it and saw the Clay Bar rolling... I thought I should have said you can drop a Clay Bar twice, just like a Spark Plug... once on the ground, the second time in the trash.
@@FlyWirescottperdue
The artificial clay bar like Mother's clay 2 can be rinsed off but be careful with it going over the rivets as it can sometimes remove paint along with the microscopic dirt.
@@domaguayo7819 I didn't like the synthetic clay bar very much.
Once a year I use a liquid wash and wax with a pressure washer from afar so that only a light mist rinses the plane. Lucas silk mist on the paint for the rest of the year, plexus on the windshield.
Good advice. What do you think of best way to clean after exposure to Florida salt air? My mechanics advocating doing the old school spray with water to clean up after coming back from Florida flying to try to head off the corrosion. I normally use distilled water in a spray bottle most of the time but they thought it would just rub any salt residue in. What would you do? Thanks.
I’d use the same system.
That quick detailer is going to leave behind a residue that is going to retard your ceramic coating from bonding to the paint. Your ceramic coating is only gonna last as long as that quick detailer, which is maybe a week or two.
What was the blue bottle with the red top stuff called at 16:50 when talking about the props?
Are all the products shown here silicone free? I‘ve heard that when it comes to painting the aircraft, silicon is really bad. The paint won’t stick to the surface...
I would expect that the polymers in the ceramics and detailers would make paint adherence difficult. I would suggest cleaning the surface with something like mineral spirits.
I have listened several times but can’t understand the product for the prop. Can you list it somewhere please?
I will indeed. I'm going to put a link to it below the video. Sorry we didn't speak clearly.
Great video. I was really surprised when you said you use pledge on the windows. As a line service guy we were always made to fear anything but acrylic or plastic cleaner like Prist. What do you look for when you decide its okay to use the pledge?
Great question Jordan. I use it when the windshield looks grimy or there are bugs. I've literally been using Lemon Pledge for 30 years with no adverse effects. I'm also sure that the modern detailers are probably ok. But this is my rut;)
@@FlyWirescottperdue THANK YOU for your service
I've used lemon Pledge since the 70's. Works great!
This the second time I watched video recently, took notes this time, my white paint above the doors of V tail looks tired , will try
Non chlorinated brake cleaner is significantly less harsh to breathe and for your skin, than chlorinated, and only slightly less effective. Another bonus is that a spray can of non chlorinated brake cleaner seems to last longer than chlorinated...so you (or I, rather) go thru less product. Goggles, gloves and good ventilation are still important.
Thanks for the pointer.
A leaf blower for drying the airplane and getting the water out is interesting. Better (at least IMO), is a portable air compressor (one with an attached air storage tank) with a lengthy hose. A compressor is a lot quieter than a leaf blower, and you get a constant air pressure out of a compressor (60 LBS PSI). Something like a "CRAFTSMAN Air Compressor, 6 gallon, Pancake, Oil-Free with 13 Piece Accessory Kit (CMEC6150K)." $150 bucks gets something that is perfect for blasting water, dirt, dust, debris out of an airplane. You have more control. The compressor with a tank is also perfect for keeping a workshop clean.
Thanks, Jeff!
Any tips for fabric wings?
Try 5 or 6 thousand for a professionally done paint correction and a ceramic coating.
Great video. Very informative. What about an auto glass cleaner on the windows instead of Pledge?
Auto glass is... glass. Typical autoglass cleaners have alcohol in them (like Windex). That is bad juju for plexiglass... which is plastic. Please don't use auto glass cleaner.
Does this work for fabric airplanes as well or just hard body planes?
I use it on my Stearman and my Husky.
I've watched 2 of your videos where you're showing me products to use on the aircraft. Why do you make me look at those products from across the hangar? Why not closeups of the products? Walk them over to the camera. Pan them at the beginning. Make the viewing easier on these old fighter-pilot eyes. And please hold them still while you're showing them... do the shaking 'em up off camera. Thanks for the informative videos. Clean 'em up and keep 'em coming!
Well, they don’t pay me;)
Great advice and very helpful! Do you have any advice for smoke stained headliners? My C180 looks great all around but have these brown stains on the headliner from cigarette smoke that I can't get out after trying endless types of cleaners?
Sorry, I don’t. I’ve replaced headliners and they are a pain.
Thanks. My headliner is in great shape just needs cleaning!
I use the exact same Turtle Wax product on my Lexus LS460 L
Scott. Are you putting the same effort and detail under the wings and fuselage? I didn't notice a creeper? I was told handsoup without the grit was great for belly oil. I am a new Mooney owner and this was a great lesson. Thanks.
I use mineral spirits to clean an oily belly. Why would I show an old guy getting up down on a creeper?
Great video as usual Scott.
I just rewatched this. My Arrow had to be reweighed so it was filled with oil, now I have 2 quarts on my belly mixed with runway debris. To add insult to injury it is going below freezing every night so rinse with the hose is not a good idea and less than 2 weeks to Sun N Fun. Mineral spirits and a towel.
This was really helpful. I used that ceramic coating and got stunning results! Thanks Scott!
Glad it helped!
No you didn't
@@andycool9918 yes I did.
Go to a Honda motorcycle store and buy their Plastic Cleaner and Polish (spray can). About $6.00. Works much better than Pledge and that $21.00+ Plexus. I use it as a detailer on the fuselage and the prop. Leading edge bugs come right off. Try it. You’ll like it.
For the belly grunge I use Simple Green Extreme (OK for aluminum, unlike the standard Simple Green). It cleans exhaust stains and quickly removes grease and oil.
Manny- Good pointer, I'll pass it to Bob and let him check it out! I used to use Simple Green and just drifted away from it.
Could you leave a list of products you use?
I'll see what I can do. I'll put links up at the top as a reference.
Suitable for my carrier
Scott I really like your blog. I really do, keep them coming. But I must say you never had a C-180 floatplane that lived under a pine tree in Maine. Just saying👍🇺🇸
No, I never did.
I'm curious what product (if any) could get that awful pine pitch off of your wings?
I detail planes and I hear your argument to wet washing however planes are made to fly in the rain. So I’m not sure I agree with no wet washing. Dry washing is fine when the plane is fairly clean. But many planes I clean just have to be washed with water. One pass with a microfiber towel and it’s time for a new one. Dry washing only really works if the plane is cleaned regularly.
I’ve been working on airplanes for over 39 years. Spraying an airplane down with a hose outs way more water in it than the rain. It promotes corrosion. I’ve seen it. That is why I have the opinion I do. I’m saying stuff I’ve learned over 30 years and pay the price.
are all these techniques good for fabric planes?
I do use the ceramic 3n1 on my Stearman and Husky
How about wd40 on really tough bugs and dirt globs on the horizontal stabilizer of the husky?
@@clearviewdentistry5558 Not me, water and a clean rag. That paint will not long survive WD40. WD40 is not a lubricant, it is a penetrant/ cleaner.
Scott, any tips for how to deal with scratches and hazing on plexiglass? Best.
If its surface you can polish it out.... VERY carefully. If it is interior there's not much you can do.
FlyWire- scott perdue What would you use for polishing?
@@tailwheel I would think of jeweler's rouge and try it on a non-obvious spot to test it. You could step up from there... have lots of patience.
@@tailwheel The best results I've had with Aluminum is Nuvite in several grades. Then for mx I use an automotive chrome polish.
Good audio in your hanger but not so good in your buddy’s hanger
What about when it rains? I mean, I’m not disagreeing, just asking. Isn’t that about the same as using a hose?
Not at all. Rain is not concentrated and under pressure.
Good advice except for cleaning the plexiglass. Plexiglass needs to be hit with copious amounts of water before you ever put a microfiber cloth on it; you need to rinse off the dirt otherwise you will rub fine scratches into the plexiglass with the first pass of a cloth.
also you selling the 180 i saw it on trade a plane?!?!?
Jeff, I am indeed. Sad day.
FlyWire- scott perdue it’s JETT lol Double T’s
@@jettmag I’m so sorry! I should have worn my glasses!
FlyWire- scott perdue you are fine
Way too old school!... After cleaning gunk off with degreaser, Just buy a D/A random orbital 5" polisher and some Maguires 205, med cut, polish cut pads, and then follow up with a ceramic/wax spray.
I understand that water can lead to corrosion, but isn’t getting caught in the rain, whether flying or on the ground, a problem also. I was told it was fine to wash your airplane, but to avoid using a pressure washer. What do you think?
To see what the difference is between the rain and using a hose to wash your airplane.... go stand in the rain for 5 seconds.... then turn the hose on you for 5 seconds... far more water, in concentrated form with the hose.
Semantics but not a ceramic coating. It’s polymer sealant with low percentages of si02, that makes it easy to apply for the average consumer
Not the terry cloth 😭
What about flying thru rain
Product used on prop???
LPS-2, spray it on a rag and wipe the prop, let it sit a bit then use a clean rag to wipe it off.
One more Scott...are you now foregoing the mineral spirits for detailer on the underbelly?
@@davecat1458 Dave- Yes, that Belly Soap from Aero Cosmetics is fantastic stuff!
Scott, I would not use Dawn, it contains Sodium Chloride, - salt! very abrasive, and corrosive. There are much better products out there, I would not even use it on my car.
Alistair- Good point. I don't use it anymore. Started using mineral spirits long ago... just switched to Belly Soap
What is the product Bob sprays on the prop? No one mentioned the name.
David- It’s LPS 2.... spray it on a rag, wipe the prop and then after a few minutes use a clean rag to wipe it off again.
@@FlyWirescottperdue Thanks!
IT…KEEP IT OUT OF HE SUN AND FLY IT THROUGH A LIGHT RAIN…BUT EVERY FLIGHT GET THE BUGS OFF…
What gets the avgas blue off?
Mineral spirits
@@FlyWirescottperdue Thanks
So, I'm pretty sure that WD 40 does not contain fish oil. Google is your friend.
Make sure the cleaner or detail-er has no alkali in it.
CLEAN water doesn't cause harm.. with that being said I'm still going for a waterless wash today on a plane... they don't allow water out on the tarmac of John Wayne Airport
To the surface maybe... to the aluminum inside that hasn't been primed it's a problem.
@@FlyWirescottperdue what about when they get rained on.... 🌧
Do you ever preform pre-buy inspections? Pm sent
I do.
FlyWire- scott perdue can you message me your email address, Thank you
@@brianwhitesel5710 Brian- I'm not sure how to do that. But if you go to my website: flywire.online you can send me an email.
Do you fly through the rain? 🤷🏻♂️
I do on occasion. But never Thunderstorms.
FlyWire- scott perdue couldn’t help myself 😂😂
A clean airplane is a happy airplane!
We need more lemon pledge .
And More Cow Bell!
I guess you never fly in the rain .
I do and that is the prime reason I have 3M Leading Edge Tape.
I own a Aviation Detailing business.
I ONLY use Aviation approved products.
Don't use car or truck wash on your Aircraft.
It's like washing your balls with tooth paste.
Look after your investment !
Wow, you lost me at dishwashers liquid.
Haha. Only in America.
Black dog.. agree. I'm a former Wingwaxers detailer. Lots of crazy, amateur stuff here.
@@jamesfischer7334
I'm more concerned about pilots taking the Vax. Iv heard of many pilots flying with Hart problems, blood clots ect caused by the Vax. Not good.
Stay safe man..
5-600 dollars for a detailer to ceramic coat a plane? Lol more like minimum $6000 dollars
Bad advice. While instant detailer is ok to wipe down a plane with, it is not ok to apply ceramic coating after instant detailer is used on the surface. The coating wont properly bond to the paint if you previously applied instant detailer right before the coating is applied. You would need to wipe down extrior painted surfaces with ipa (isopropyl alcohol) to remove the oils, polymers and other ingredients that are contained in instant detailer sprays. Yes, im a professional detailer with 15 yrs in business. Yes i do planes, rvs, boats, motorcycles, autos, atvs, and even golf carts. Lol. With 100% 5star reviews for over a decade, i would say i might know what im doing.
I use the Instant detailer after the ceramic... thanks for watching.
I'm sorry but you are giving some terrible advice. Quick detailers generally have protectants in them and are a bad choice for prepping for a ceramic coating. They also don't provide enough lubrication for cleaning without scratching paint. Use a high quality waterless/no-rinse wash like Optimum No Rinse or McKee's 914 to clean without water. Quick detailers are met to provide one last clean prior to going up to be judged at a show and stuff like that not cleaning. Clay bars are met to remove contaminates that are imbedded in paint not for smoothing out your paint. They will mar paint but most aerospace paints are much more hard in comparison to automotive paints. The microfiber towels are a great idea. Dawn is a terrible idea as it is far from PH neutral and will dull the appearance of your paint. The leaf blower is also a great idea. It helps avoid scratching and marring from the drying process. Spray on ceramic waxes are nothing like real ceramic coatings. A spray on ceramic wax will last roughly two months to a year depending on the product. A true ceramic coating can last 7+ years. The Turtle Wax stuff you are using is more of a three month product. Yeah a ceramic coating is probably going to cost you a lot due to the amount of prep involved but it is worth it to have your paint brought up to the 95%+ mark and then protected like that for 5+ years. WD-40 is not a lubricant or a cleaner it is a water dispersant. The advice about cleaning for maintenance is great. I recommend 303 Aerospace Protectant for protecting interior plastics and vinyl. A good CZcams Aircraft detailing channel is Aviana Aircraft Detailing. I wish my comments weren't this long but something has to be said before you all lead aircraft owners down a bad path.
ONR guys..optimum no rinse...thx me later...clay lube/safe wash/ many etc...
I was looking for this comment. ONR is an amazing all purpose rinseless wash for just about anything. I'm curious if it will work on the lead and carbon of belly grunge though.
@@RandomFun107 it won't cut through grease and crud.try power clean diluted 10-1 then onr to neutralize the apc..hope this helps
Ceramic coat is bullshit Ordinary polish on a random orbit polisher is far better