Aircraft cleaning with automotive products

mpm

mpm

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Short of buying additional products can ONR be safetly and effectively used on small aircraft? The same question for Megs APC.

And while I'm on the subject of auto based products for aircraft, what are some good polish/wax products to use with a D/A polisher for basic cleaning and protecting of the paint. Nothing more then oxidation removal or minor correction.
 
mpm said:
Short of buying additional products can ONR be safetly and effectively used on small aircraft? The same question for Megs APC.

And while I'm on the subject of auto based products for aircraft, what are some good polish/wax products to use with a D/A polisher for basic cleaning and protecting of the paint. Nothing more then oxidation removal or minor correction.
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Sweet - this is my area of expertise.... even over auto lol! What type of aircraft and have you ever done an aircraft?!?!?!?
 
mpm said:
Short of buying additional products can ONR be safetly and effectively used on small aircraft? The same question for Megs APC.

And while I'm on the subject of auto based products for aircraft, what are some good polish/wax products to use with a D/A polisher for basic cleaning and protecting of the paint. Nothing more then oxidation removal or minor correction.
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Ok - here we go!!!!

1) never advertise that you are using car products on an aircraft! If I were you , I would go to granitize aviation's website and search for their XG5 APC.... I know you said short of buying other than auto products..... but you must remember that these aircraft owners spent anywhere from 50,000 dollars to 50 million dollars for their aircraft.

If you MUST use what you have cause there is a deadline..... Use a waterless wash. There are areas that cannot receive water like that of cars - such as intakes,APUs, etc. CAN BE DANGEROUS!

2) Static ports - must tape them down!!!! VERY IMPORTANT - PLANES CRASH CAUSE OF WAX GETTING IN HERE!!!
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This is really important - wax gets built up in there - and the aircraft cannot read the proper yaw and pitch (I believe it is called).


3) There is lube that looks horrible in the landing gear...... but do not remove - it serves a serious purpose!

4) I advise that you get NuVite products for aircraft...... much better than anything else I have used! If you want to go cheap - use AeroGlaze ( but from my experience it sucks compared to NuVite and a polisher)..

5) the reason I ask what type of aircraft is because the size and model does matter............

Some you can stand on - others you cannot.

If you can stand on the wing - then DO NOT POLISH THE WING FIRST lol! Sounds like common sense , but I have done it a million times lol! You will find it hard to stand on a polished wing!


There are many other things - hit me up if you are interested in learning them!!!
 
Hope you didn't get overwhelmed here lol!!!! Give me a call if you have any questions! I can walk you through quite a bit (if not all) on aircraft ...... where I started and where I'll probably end!


Anthony L. Bates
Owner/Operator of B & B Detailing
615.967.8121
[email protected]
 
Will be doing single engine 4-seaters mostly. Unless someone ask me to do something bigger. I have helped my neighbor wax her wings before. Did that sound bad? That was years ago.

I don't mind buying additional product. I'm just trying to save space in my truck and preserve what little working cash I have. I figure the cost of the basic products will be covered by the first job or close to it anyway.

Thanks for the info B&B. I'll call you when I get ready to order.

Thanks for everyones input.
 
As an aircraft owner/pilot myself, B & B's advice is dead on. The best investment you can make is a very comfortable creeper to lie on. Buffing a low wing airplane is not a fun experience when you have to lay on the hangar floor or tarmac with a polisher over your head.
 
Shouldn't you ground the aircraft if you're using a polisher? And shouldn't you avoid using products containing silicone? Shouldn't you be careful around the pitot tubes as well?
 
Static ports, pitot tubes and antennaes for sure. I only "wax" mine once a year and I use Rejex. Not a whole lot of dirt sticks to that stuff. It is rare that I do a hose and soap wash. After every flight I wipe down the leading edges with waterless wash, clean the windows with Plexus and tuck her in the hangar for the night. At 140 mph, 6000 feet in the air, nobody is going to judge my swirls!

Bottom line, like rwright and B said...protect the critical parts and you should be fine. Just make sure to do a complete walkaround when you are finished and check the flight controls...you dont want to leave a sponge or towel stuck somewhere.
 
Another consideration with small single engines are the rivets (appearance wise).... Wax can build up around the million rivets on there and being very insightful and a pain to get off. Thats why I prefer polishing over waxing on aircraft. Also, when Cleaning the windscreen - only wipe in the motion that the wind travels over not in circular motions. SAFETY is number 1!!!! For aircraft and yourself !!!
 
Be careful what you use on the windows, some glass cleaners can destroy plexiglass
 
Subscribed to thread, and for reference!

mpm, good opportunities! Congrats!!!

B&B, you are the man!
 
I have had the privalege of helping a friend do a small Cessna. He was very perticular and careful. I even went as far as to purchase a Air Craft Detailing Manual from Jet Stream. I also have contacted Renny Doyle about air craft Detailing. As others have said there are products and areas to stay away from. This is where I too want to end up. Doing Aircraft!
Call B & B for sure!!
 
For you guys that already service aircraft, what is your price point? I am not interested in adding that service to my company but am curious if I ever do hire someone to polish the Piper. I really dislike doing it and find it a hideous chore. I tried using an cyclo we have in the hangar and all the riveted surfaces and textured flaps ripped the pads to shreds. So it is an all by hand deal.
 
jlb85 said:
Subscribed to thread, and for reference!

mpm, good opportunities! Congrats!!!

B&B, you are the man!
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Thanx man!

Showroom Shine said:
I have had the privalege of helping a friend do a small Cessna. He was very perticular and careful. I even went as far as to purchase a Air Craft Detailing Manual from Jet Stream. I also have contacted Renny Doyle about air craft Detailing. As others have said there are products and areas to stay away from. This is where I too want to end up. Doing Aircraft!
Call B & B for sure!!
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LOL - I think Im gonna get my phone blowing up now - thinking they are customers! Well - I am more than happy to help any one if they have questions about detailing aircraft.... I was a partner with an aircraft detailing company for years..... so to tell the truth, I have WAY more aviation experience than automotive - which is why I am on this forum , to learn the automotive industry a bit more. Thanx for the props guys!

Porsche Pilot said:
For you guys that already service aircraft, what is your price point? I am not interested in adding that service to my company but am curious if I ever do hire someone to polish the Piper. I really dislike doing it and find it a hideous chore. I tried using an cyclo we have in the hangar and all the riveted surfaces and textured flaps ripped the pads to shreds. So it is an all by hand deal.
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For a Piper - depending on how bad it is and the quality of paint..... I personally would charge $125 for a thorough dry wash and about $275 to $350 for a full polish (depends on if the spinner is painted or not, and some other factors) This is just me though - I have been known to charge way less than I can!!!

I actually lost a bid once to do the britework on a Falcon 900 because I put a bid of $950.......... 10 hour gig for me............. and why did I loose it????? Because another guy bnid $2500! I was shocked!!! I was happy charging $95 an hour, but I lost the bid because he charged more lol - the difference between aviation and auto!!!!!
 
Those prices seem right on for a single engine. I would gladly pay that. That's funny about the Falcon. Yes, We are certainly a different breed...especially those jet types.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
 
Porsche Pilot said:
Those prices seem right on for a single engine. I would gladly pay that. That's funny about the Falcon. Yes, We are certainly a different breed...especially those jet types.

Sent from my DROID2 using Tapatalk
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If you ever want to fly out to SMRY - I think thats the airport code - Smyrna Airport here in Tennessee hit me up man - I'll be more than happy to come and knock it out for you or with you..... You bring your stuff - I'll bring mine - WALA, beautiful Piper in about 4 to 5 hours!:dblthumb2:
 
I actually just may do that my man. As soon as we get the engine overhaul done this spring I will seriously look into it. Thanks!
 
Porsche Pilot said:
I actually just may do that my man. As soon as we get the engine overhaul done this spring I will seriously look into it. Thanks!
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No problem man - would be fun! I only ask that I can take some pics - cause Im positive it will look great lol!
 
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