DIY Airplane Detailing

How to Detail An Airplane
Have you noticed that your aircraft appears a bit less well-maintained recently? No matter how many miles you've traveled recently, There could be dirt, dust and other debris building up on the surface and within the crevices of your plane. If you notice this, it's probably time for a thorough clean to bring back the beauty of your aircraft and eliminate any potential safety risks. It doesn't matter if it's your first or a thousandth time you've cleaned your plane; it's never a bad idea to refresh your memory to ensure that you're not missing any details. Make sure you follow these steps for detailing your aircraft:

Start With the Underbelly Debris and dirt can quickly accumulate on the plane's underbelly, and if it is left to sit, it can begin to affect the antenna's reception. Maintaining this part of the plane clean will protect your investment as well as helping you keep it looking good. However, before applying any solution, it is necessary to wash your aircraft's exterior by soaking it in water to eliminate any dirt or other debris. Drop the flaps on your aircraft and spray the water at incredibly low pressure, but remember to stay clear of your aircraft's wheels. This is a place that can easily collect water and cause corrosion, so it's recommended to keep it out of the way. Make sure you are gentle on windows. It might be more beneficial to spray windows rather than using a sprayer lightly. After the water has been cleaned, clean it using a dry, clean cloth.

Many owners of airplanes do not have an access water hose, and therefore do not bother with this aspect of cleaning. Instead of skipping this step, clean the dust away with a dry cloth, shaking it around every few minutes to eliminate the dust built up. After that, spray the cleaning solution safe for plains onto the dry cloth and walk over the plane again. In the initial wipe-down, you'll be in a position to lift and eliminate dust. The second wipe-down will allow you to eliminate soot and dirt. Move to the Interior Utilize the same solution that is safe for aircraft and a rag for removing any streaks or spots in your interior. If you're able to connect to an electrical outlet or have a small battery-powered vacuum, sweep the floors inside your aircraft. While you've cleaned the exterior window, be sure to clean the inside too. Dust, dirt, and smudges are likely to accumulate on the exterior and interior of windows. It's crucial to clean both sides to give them an effective clean.

Next, Remove Grease The next step of detailing your aircraft is to rid it of any grease developed over time. There are two options available for getting rid of the grease off of planes. You can purchase special products designed specifically to get rid of grease or keep using the same solution for cleaning you've used in previous steps. If you routinely maintain your aircraft using the same cleaning solution, it is likely to be sufficient to eliminate the small amount of grease that has built up. However, if you cannot recall the last time you cleaned your aircraft, it might be recommended to use a specific product that can efficiently strip the layer upon the layer of grease. Begin under the wings and elevators and begin looking for indications of grease or dirt, or smudges. When this area is clean, move onto the fuselage and look from the rear to the front for further areas. The closer you are to the front of your aircraft, the greater the grease is likely to be. Once you've eliminated all spots, clean every spot you've cleaned with a dry, clean cloth. Make sure to clean the wheels before this process since they were not cleaned during the initial step. The dry cloths you employ to clean your plane could be cleaned and reused apart from those used to clean greasy areas. They should be thrown away since it's difficult to clean grease.

Tackle the Metal Surfaces
​Then, you'll need to apply a coating of metal on the surfaces of your plane. It is the last thing you must add to ensure that your plane shines and appear as if it was never away from the runway. Utilize the red, white, and blue Bright Work polishes designed to eliminate excessive water spots, oxidation, scratches, and cloudiness. They provide a deep, glossy look. The polishes can be applied manually or using a machine, depending on the preference you have. If you decide to apply it using your hands, take the smallest amount of polish on a soft cloth, and rub it on the surface of the metal in an upward motion. Do not move to the next part until you can see a mirror-like, clear surface appear. If you're not able to do it manually, you can use a circular buffer with an attached cotton pad. The three polishes work in this way, so after you've got the first one down, you'll be able to master the remaining two too. Be sure to apply for the correct order (red first, then white, and finally blue) so that you can get the most effective results from your effort. It is important to allocate enough time for this task, especially when polishing the metal surfaces. Based on the dimensions of your aircraft, it could take anywhere from five 7 to 8 hours to have the whole plane cleaned. Make sure to do this at least 3 times every year. You can do it more often when you notice your plane becoming dirtier. Remember that the more often you clean every surface on the plane, the quicker you'll be able to complete it every time, as there will be less accumulation on a plane that has been maintained regularly. It might appear to be an overwhelming task; however, remember that an accurate detailing of your aircraft is vital to ensure regular maintenance. Make sure to follow these steps each time debris and dirt start to accumulate on your plane, and you'll be able to bring it to its sparkling and tidy state again!

The Ins and Outs of How to Detail an Airplane
Does your plane appear less than perfect lately? The airplanes that aren't hangared collect dust, soot, and dirt quite quickly. Even hangared aircraft start to build up grease and oil on their undersides as they are flying. The antennas under your plane could quickly be covered with gunk that can reduce reception. When you next go to the airport, you may want to look closely at the paint and the underbelly. Maintaining your plane's cleanliness and waxed will help protect the paint and increase the value of your plane. Some say it can increase airspeed by a couple of knots! It doesn't need to take as long. Let's explore a variety of methods to get your plane clean, based on the location it's stored in as well as the quality of the paint and the amount of space you've got. After having cleaned over 100 airplanes in various settings to universal approval, I'm now able to provide some tips as well as some great products I've come across. If you've ever heard of SMO, it is well-known that the city is adamant about the airport and is spending millions of dollars to try to stop it. The current method is strangulation in slow succession with huge airport fees, curfews, landing fees, etc.

When we bought the 210, we quickly joined the list of those waiting for an airport hangar. While waiting, the plane was outside, in an airport less than 3 miles between LAX and the ocean. Salt air, soot, and dust have always been an issue. There are many hangars in SMO. However, they are mostly packed with cars, documents, motorcycles, cars, and other vehicles, instead of airplanes, offices, or studios for artists. We never did get a hangar. Every year I "assisted" mechanics by taking off and closing the inspection plates, taking seats off, replacing them, and doing other routine tasks. As the mechanics worked on our plane, I also waxed the aircraft. After that, I was asked to inspect the aircraft of other owners for annual maintenance or maintenance. Then, it became an enterprise. I had a loyal customer base at several regional airports that trusted me to maintain their aircraft. Many of my clients have had their aircraft damaged due to other detailers, specifically those using orbital buffers. I think it's best to clean an aircraft with a hand. A plane isn't like a car. A car is built to withstand the abuse, whereas an aircraft is as fragile as a bird's feathers. Doors, handles and antennas, and ailerons are easily damaged or bent by a reckless hand. Unintentionally, a foot could scratch the skin of a plane's surface in a flash. You're aware of that; however, don't forget to inform your passengers!

Cleaning the Airplane Before applying your wax or any other compound, it is important to cleanse the surface. dirty aircraft How to Clean an Airplane The method you use to do this is dependent on several factors. The most effective method is to clean the plane in water to wash away dirt and dust; definitely, it is a must with fresh shining paint and a hanging plane. The flaps should be removed, and use a hose to saturate the plane, but don't apply too high pressure! Many airplanes leak around the fuel caps or windows, and it is possible to force water inside. Water shouldn't be in the static ports, too, and you can cover them with tape. Be sure not to apply a spray to your wheel. The water will stay inside and cause rust to the bearings, which could cause brake issues. After that, thoroughly sponge the plane, rinse, and remove the tape from the static ports if the ports were taped. For windows, take the dust off using water through a spray bottle or hose; if you are cleaning the same way as above, then dry it off with a gentle cloth. Many of the aircraft I looked after were not hanged; they had old paint and owners who didn't have the time to take the plane for the cleaning rack. Here's how you can remove dirt without using the use of a hose: Start by going across the entire plane with the inside of sturdy cloth or rag by gently wiping off dust and shaking it out. Then, turn it over and repeat the process; this is this time applying 10 percent mixture that contains Simple Green for Aircraft and water. Then, you'll remove any bugs or bird droppings, dirt, and soot. Remember to clean the prop, the front and back. If you're flying a low-wing plane, it could take about 45 minutes.

Skip this step for the tops the wings of a Cessna (more about that later). Get rid of smudges and stains on the interior of your plastic using your 10 percent solution and a tiny rug. Interior of a Cessna Crusader - How to Detail an Airplane If there is an electrical outlet close by, you can clean your carpets with a vacuum or steam-clean them using an attachment, if you have one. Make sure to do this before waxing and open the doors so that the carpets can dry as you are working. Waxing the Airplane Now it's time to apply the final product. The not properly hung aircraft will eventually become dirty and must be cleaned at least 3 times per year. In this instance, I recommend using a carnauba cleaner wax similar to Mothers that is a single-step procedure. Use latex dish gloves and apply a cloth or pad for applicators to spread the product and work in sections. The size of a section will depend on the temperature and whether you're in the sun or shade. Make shorter sections when you're hot and under the sun. Don't forget to wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat! It's better to be shaded or indoors; however, I rarely had this luxury.

Many owners requested that I detailed the plane when it was tied down. It's possible to do it as I did with our plane. Rub the wax that contains cleaners to get rid of impurities from the paint. Then let dry. Then wipe it clean using a second cloth or a t-shirt from the past. After that, you can go over it using a microfiber towel to reveal the shine. If you're in the outdoors and you require a ladder to climb a high tail or higher wings' top, make sure to do it early in the morning before it gets too windy. It's not fun being climbing a ladder in the breeze. To decrease the number of times, you have to climb up and down the ladder for high-wind wings, take your dusting rags, a 10% solution. Do each section of wings: cleaning, dusting, and waxing, and then transfer from one section to another. A tiny low-wing model such as a Mooney M20 took me about 3-4 hours to complete and 4-5 hours for a Bonanza and 4-7 for a Cessna, and seven hours for a twin. If your plane is outside and you would like to freshen it up before taking a trip with your buddies on board, you can finish the fuselage fast in less than an hour. It's not necessary to do everything in one go. The more frequently you clean your aircraft and the faster it'll be every time.

Hangared plane How to detail an Airplane
If the aircraft is being hung with a more attractive paint job, you can use a polymer blend two-step procedure. This process will take twice as long, meaning it is possible to split the work over two to three days. However, the process will last for a whole year. The first step is to wash the plane according to the instructions in the previous paragraph. Re-install it in the hangar, and then use Voodoo Wax Cleaner Polish, eliminating dirt and other impurities from the paint and tiny scratches. Apply it just like a wax and apply elbow grease. Remove using an old rag. Then apply a microfiber towel. Follow up with Voodoo Wax Racing Formula for shining. It's a special-purpose product that is only available directly via Voodoo Wax or through Aircraft Spruce. A bottle will be enough to fill an aircraft. Airplane De-Greasing At this point, you're already exhausted by now, and it's great to relax on a settee to the removal of grease. Make sure you tie up your hair long, or it's bound to tangle up inside the wheels (ask me what I'm doing!) I've used several high-end specific items. However, I've concluded that the full-strength Simple Green for Aircraft works equally well. I typically start under the wings and elevators, searching for areas of dirt or smudges, and then work my way from the back to the front of the fuselage. Lay on your back in front of the spray, or it could go directly into your eyes! Spray it and wipe it off with an old rag shirt (you'll be tempted to throw them to the side after you're finished). As you move towards the front, the grease will become thicker and could require several passes. As the rag gets saturated, it will continue to perform just fine. Your antennas will perform better after you have cleaned the gunk off! You can now gently clean the wheels and gears as they weren't washed using the water hose. Greasy airplane wheel How to detail an Airplane The more frequently it happens, the faster the process becomes each time. The rags for wax removal and dusting can be cleaned and reused; however, as we've mentioned earlier, the degrease rags need to be disposed of. The Metal Surfaces Spinners, props, or even paint require polishing. The old spinner and prop were not painted, and the salty ocean air was constantly rubbing all the brightness off. I was not happy with each metal polish until a friend gave me their polish, the most effective one: California Custom Aluminum Deoxidizer and Purple Metal Polish (use both together).

​Make sure your windows are cleaned with a microfiber cloth as well as Plexus spray. If you're looking for customized airplane covers that will help safeguard your plane, particularly when it is not hanging, Bruce's Custom Covers produces custom spinner canopy, cockpit, and canopy covers. In Conclusion Every time you clean your aircraft, it becomes easier to detail and appears better. If you wash it multiple times throughout the year, it will not build up. It's an act of pride for anyone to have a clean and sparkling plane and boost confidence for new passengers. It's also great exercise!