Washing - What Soap?

EJWash

EJWash

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Joined
Aug 11, 2021
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KCLM
Okay, It's been a LOT of years since I washed an airplane as a Line Boy back in the '70s. I can't remember what the boss had me use, and I'm sure it was EPA and OSHA banned a long time ago!

If I go to the auto parts store, there are shelves loaded with soap and exterior cleaning products. Same goes for boats. Sooo... What's out there for washing airplanes? Fabric-friendly considerations?

Thanks!

P.S.: How about a "Cleaning & Detailing" forum?
 
I use the following:
  • Fabric - good old fashioned car wash soap or dishwashing soap
  • Prop, Cowl, Struts, and Wing Leading Edges - Meguiars waterless wash and wax
  • Plexiglass - Sprayway glass cleaner
  • Belly - mineral spirits
I have never been too fussy about cleaning. However, lately I am flying 3-4 days a week from a grass strip, so the crud seems to build up quick. In particular, I get a lot of bug guts on the prop leading edge, and a lot of oil on my belly from inverted flight.

I'm not a big fan of hosing a fabric aircraft down frequently. Too many nooks and crannies for water to get into the interior and accumulate. So I do a full wash maybe once or twice a year. In between, I use the waterless wash to wipe down leading edges that are prone to bug accumulation. I wipe the prop leading edges after every flight because I am overly worried about corrosion in my environment.
 
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Dawn dishwashing soap, used sparingly. Good for boats, cars, planes, windows, dishes, whatever. I clean bugs on leading edges, prop, cowl, wheel pants after each flight with water from a spray bottle and clean towel. Plexus or equivalent on the windshield. In between infrequent washes I use a damp towel to remove dust and some kind of dry wash/detailer. Regularly wax leading edges, spinner, prop, cowl, wheel pants so the bugs don’t stick..as much.
 
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Meguiar's or some premium paste wax. On the belly of my Cirrus (prior life) I used hand cleaner, without pumice, for the oil/grime. Worked great and was easy to work with since it is a semi-paste. Got it my local AutoZone.
 
Aero Cosmetic Wash, Wax All, from Aircraft Spruce for all surfaces, about a half pint or more per cleaning, If the bugs are bad!!!... Any good glass cleaner on plexiglass with clean towel.. I use WD40 for the belly and all oily spills, followed up by the Aero Cosmetic...
 
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