C182 Cleaning Supplies

[FlyByWire22]

Part of the duties at my new job include cleaning the plane once a week. Just curious what the best cleaning supplies are for the metal surfaces as well as the windshield, plexiglass, etc. Don't know if location will change anything, but I'm located in Miami. Thanks!

 

[jgheggie]

Plexus for the windscreen. And zep40 for the rest of the aircraft. Use 303 for any anti-ice or rubber boots/rubber surfaces.

 

[Dan208B]

@FlyByWire22 I currently own an airplane and have managed several. I agree that plexus is an excellent product for the windshield. Of course use it with cloth rags and never paper towels as they will scratch the plexiglass. If you keep the airplane clean you won't have to put much effort into long term washes. I would recommend using wax on the leading edges of everything, just a simple car wax works well. Hand cleaning other parts with a fine cut cleaner and then waxing works well for the topside of the airplane. Under the belly I have always used 100LL gas and a rag. All of this stuff leaves residue and you will need to come back with another rag. I've seen people use lemon pledge and many other products on the belly as well. This new "aviation simple green" is great stuff. Regular simple green isn't safe for many surfaces. Realistically almost anything on any part of the airplane is fine. The only places to be careful with are the windows and the prop. Many cleaners can damage the prop so I would stick with water if possible. Let me know if you have any more specific questions!

 

[n57flyguy]

Part of the duties at my new job include cleaning the plane once a week. Just curious what the best cleaning supplies are for the metal surfaces as well as the windshield, plexiglass, etc. Don't know if location will change anything, but I'm located in Miami. Thanks!

Plexus or MS cleaner works well for windscreens. MS cleaner works well for taking the bugs off the cowling and leading edges after a flight or two. I only use microfibers or a certain terry cloth (local guy).

For washing, I use some stuff I get locally that is a concentrated parts cleaner. Properly diluted it works well, and is the best I have found yet. Everyone wants to sell you there "new revolutionary wash" and they probably work well but experimentation is your best bet, so long as you are not diluting any concentrate that is corrosive you should be in good shape. I would discourage the use of dish soap/detergent. It tends to craze plastics.

Cleaner wax with a normal orbital buffer works well for paint in good condition, beyond that know what you are doing for paint correction.

For the belly, 100LL works well, Spray Nine...but....rinse it off very well, Aircraft Simple Green.

A decent soft bristle brush, two buckets, a squeegee blade, and an Absorber and you are looking good. I would also discourage scrubbing the windscreen/windows with the brush and soap.

Source:

How I paid for my IR and happy repeat aircraft owners

 

[knot4u]

I like to use MEK and ScotchBrite on windshields. Instant results that last a long time.

 

[Dan208B]

The one more thing I would mention is that in the time I've spent helping take care of some pretty nice airplanes, full washes are rare. Perhaps even as infrequent as once a year or after a flight that you taxied through rain puddles that were muddy or something. Once initially cleaned, the airplane can be kept clean by hand for a long time if cleaned regularly.

 

[CLTflyer]

We used to use this stuff called Purple Power with a 50/50 concentrate. Not sure where it came from, the A&P asked if I wanted to make some cash...handed me the stuff and said get to work.

I believe though it was from Sams Club, or Costco

 

[fholbert]

full washes are rare. Perhaps even as infrequent as once a year

Agree assuming it's hangared. I use a pump up yard sprayer to clean mine. Wet an area with water, spray some of the stuff below over the water, wipe it off.

NOTHING beats Plexus for the glass.

Buy some of those high thread count towels by the dozen at Costco.

 

[pwttogfk]

I've always used Clearview to clean the windshield and windows. On everything else, if you want simplicity use Clearview or if you want cost-effectiveness use lemon Pledge cleaner. Both work great.

 

[n57flyguy]

Agree assuming it's hangared. I use a pump up yard sprayer to clean mine. Wet an area with water, spray some of the stuff below over the water, wipe it off.

NOTHING beats Plexus for the glass.

Buy some of those high thread count towels by the dozen at Costco.

Wash and wax all works great for in between washing, after washing, and after waxing.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

I use a lot of Lemon Pledge. It is cheap, and seems to work fine on Plexiglas. Not that washing the things I fly makes them look any better, but the weight of all that grime eventually adds up.

 

[CFI A&P]

I like to use MEK and ScotchBrite on windshields. Instant results that last a long time.

Plus muriatic acid for the aluminum fuselage too.

 

[Roger Roger]

For windows, rinse with clean water and bare hands to get the grit off, then clean with pledge or similar and a microfiber cloth. Works good lasts long time.

 

[gotWXdagain]

 

[EIR]

I used this when I worked line and I also use it on my personal airplane:

For the windscreen I use this:

 

[L-16B]

I use a lot of Lemon Pledge. It is cheap, and seems to work fine on Plexiglas. Not that washing the things I fly makes them look any better, but the weight of all that grime eventually adds up.

I use lemon pledge on the leading edges to minimize bugs sticking

 

[Flymh47]

I use lemon pledge on the leading edges to minimize bugs sticking

I use a damp dryer sheet on the leading edges to get them off when they do stick.

 

[A150K]

I used this when I worked line and I also use it on my personal airplane:

For the windscreen I use this:

+1 for All Kleer. Thus far, it's the only windshield cleaner I've come across that doesn't leave a film.

 

[T/O w/FSII]

i usually just ask the FBO to take care of it before morning. *shrug*

 

[Deleted member 27505]

Part of the duties at my new job include cleaning the plane once a week. Just curious what the best cleaning supplies are for the metal surfaces as well as the windshield, plexiglass, etc. Don't know if location will change anything, but I'm located in Miami. Thanks!

Pine Sol and bleach. The added benefit is you can mix 'em and get a nice buzz.