Best Cleaning Products

[Trippster]

Since, the last thread on this is 18 years ago, I'm wondering what everyone uses now to clean their aircraft.

Windows

Interior panels

Leather

Exterior Paint

Belly grime

Wax after clean

Thanks,

Tripp

[edasmus]

Windows - Plexus and/or Lemon Pledge with micro fiber cloth...

Interior panels - feather duster...

Leather - mine is black so if it is dirty I cannot tell...

Exterior Paint - soapy water...

Belly grime - mineral spirits and old t-shirts...

Wax after clean - not sure what my shop uses as I let them do it but I have heard any quality automotive wax such as McGuires (spelling?) are fine. My maintenance shop has all the tools (spinning cloth wheels, etc.) and the 30+ year old paint on my plane comes out shiny and slippery...

Have fun!

Ed

[JAG]

Windows - I use Plexus with new microfiber cloths - used ones get donated to cleaning exterior.

Interior panels - soapy water (dawn dish detergent) then wipe with STP Son-of-a-gun on vinyl

Leather - I don't have any, but in previous aircraft, soapy water and Maguires leather treatment

Exterior Paint - Soapy Water (Dawn dish soap)

Belly grime - mineral spirits

[B2C2]

there was a good article posted on CPA a long time ago on this that I follow. I couldn't find the original article but the recommendations were

1. belly grime- gojo with no abrasive. I just wipe it on and then in a few minutes wipe it off, it takes off all the grease. its also greasy. like dissolves like.
2. exhaust residue - Hoppes 9 gun cleaner. just a little on a rag takes it off
3. Tire dressing - auto parts store. the one I have is purple and smells like grape soda.
4. washing - dawn dish washing liquid and water. use after the gojo to get the last of it off.
5. wax - Rejex. With this stuff on the plane the bugs will float off with just hot water. One pass with hot water, then one pass with a dry towel. This was a recommendation from the mechanic who did my purchase annual and it works very well.
6. Windshield - Lemon pledge and a new terry towel.

I use terry towels that come in packs from costco or target. I think microfiber is also a good choice, just have a lot of the terry towels. I also wash by working my way over the plane with towel soap and water, then towel with water, then wiping down with a drying towel. Starting from the top and working my way down. I don't spray the plane with water as I don't want it sitting inside the plane after a wash.

[JimC]

Carbon-X.

https://www.sportys.com/pilotshop/ca...ne-gallon.html