The real value in a good wax job?

[nels]

While reading the forum for the last couple years, I've heard mentioned that a good wax job increases cruise performance. I believe it should but has anyone ever put a number to the before and after?? Mine is at the point where a clay bar and a good polishing is in order. I know its a lot of work so besides just making it look better I guess I'm looking for a little extra motivation.

[The-sky-captain]

I wax every 18 months or so and don't see a real noticeable difference in speed.. That being said I always wipe the leading edges down after flights and clean the belly every 3 months or so, so the plane stays clean year round. I don't have any real data of a dirty, draggy plane vs a waxed and cleaned plane.

[Cruiser]

Not sure how this relates to a good wax job but I have experienced flying into light rain from clear air and see at least 2 - 3 kt. decrease in airspeed when the wings get wet.

Fly out of the rain and as the wings dry the speed comes back. No change in power settings.

 

If wet surfaces can slow you a couple of kts. it only seem logical that a clean, smooth surface is going to offer less resistance and help the airspeed.

[Hank]

I've read 3-5 knot airspeed improvement with a good wax job, but I also wipe the leading edges after every flight. Whenever she gets dirty, out comes the spray bottle of Aerocosmetics Wash-n-Wax; I also use this whenever it feels worn off on the leading edges, usually once between annuals.

[Guest]

Waxed, polished and smooth surfaces pay off in increased perfomance. There is an article somewhere on the net by the Cafe Foundation concerning a Mooney before and after waxing.

Also of interest is this web page. www.hdneubert.com/Reno_Presentation.pdf

Hans, the site owner has a very fast normally aspirated Piper twin Comanche.

Clarence

[takair]

I was disappointed after I painted the plane and didn't see any increase in TAS. Old paint was rather ragged, so would have expected something.

On a side note, I recently moved north and don't yet have a hangar. I thought the new paint would help keep ice from forming.(on the ground) Had that all wrong too. The water beads up nicely, and then freezes in big beads. I notice the planes with old paint tend to allow the water to evaporate easier. So, three times this past month I couldn't fly, while the guys with old paint had no issues......Go figure.

[jetdriven]

A pint or two of isopropyl alcohol poured on the wing right down the thickest part will dissolve that ice and frost.

[yvesg]

I was disappointed after I painted the plane and didn't see any increase in TAS. Old paint was rather ragged, so would have expected something.

On a side note, I recently moved north and don't yet have a hangar. I thought the new paint would help keep ice from forming.(on the ground) Had that all wrong too. The water beads up nicely, and then freezes in big beads. I notice the planes with old paint tend to allow the water to evaporate easier. So, three times this past month I couldn't fly, while the guys with old paint had no issues......Go figure.

This is why here we put wing covers from december to march.

Yves

[Wakeup]

Wanting to wax mine. Any special wax people use?? Is it ok to use a buffer? Thanks

[jetdriven]

Rejex on the leading edges is good to keep bugs from sticking and making them easy to wipe off with water.  Interestingly, I read that Dupont (Imron) and Sherwin-Williams (Jet-Glo)  recommend to not use wax on their paint.

[PTK]

I was disappointed after I painted the plane and didn't see any increase in TAS. Old paint was rather ragged, so would have expected something.

It's probably my imagination as it's hard to quantify but I thought I noticed my TAS improved after the new paint.

It "feels" like it anyway!

[Marauder]

I was disappointed after I painted the plane and didn't see any increase in TAS. Old paint was rather ragged, so would have expected something.

Often I think old paint is worn thin and when it is repainted you are picking up some weight which offsets the benefit.

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[David Mazer]

A Sonex builder told me his plane gained 22 lbs when painted.  The Mooney has to be significant;y more, of course, there is already some paint there to begin with.

 

As to the real value of a godd wax: your plane looks better, you can comb your hair in the relection (if I had hair so could I), you can see if the FAA is sneaking up on you from behind as your getting in, you can use the reflection as a flashlight to see way back into your hangar, you can blind the guy your passing.  There are so many reasons.

[PTK]

Rejex on the leading edges is good to keep bugs from sticking and making them easy to wipe off with water.  Interestingly, I read that Dupont (Imron) and Sherwin-Williams (Jet-Glo)  recommend to not use wax on their paint.

Byron, is Rejex a liquid or thicker consistency like a wax?

 

Is it used to clean or is it applied after washing?

 

Thanks.

[jetdriven]

Rejex is basically a thin liquid wax but it is super slick. You can use a wet towel and knock the bugs and dirt smooth off after flying in one pass.  Our paint is old, but it did shine it up some.

[phecksel]

I was disappointed after I painted the plane and didn't see any increase in TAS. Old paint was rather ragged, so would have expected something.

 

I gained approximately 5 knots, but ragged doesn't even begin to describe the condition of the paint

 

I've read 3-5 knot airspeed improvement with a good wax job, but I also wipe the leading edges after every flight. Whenever she gets dirty, out comes the spray bottle of Aerocosmetics Wash-n-Wax; I also use this whenever it feels worn off on the leading edges, usually once between annuals.

I never saw any improvement with wax.  The only way I would buy any increase, is if the the paint is really really dirty and polishing takes off the layer of dirt

 

I used lemon pledge and baby wipes on the leading edge.  After races, it was completely covered in bug guts.  That combo cleaned them right off.

[RJBrown]

The control surfaces are removed for a paint job. Reinstalling and readjusting them is a bigger variable than paint. Being out of rig can slow a plane more than poor paint. Maybe the reason one person is faster after a paint job is that the plane was rigged better after than before. Maybe the plane that did not speed up is now a bit more out of rig after than before. Too many variables to pin it down without careful testing after each change.

[Dcflyn]

There seems to be lots of credibility in The Cafe Foundation's article (http://cafefoundation.org/v2/aboutcafe_orderfromchaos.php) re. 2.6mph increase from "clean" to waxed. I haven't flown my Mooney M20E yet. We're giving it a major makeover. But before it gets it's new paint, I'll find out the TAS between original worn gritty paint and fresh glassy paint. I'll set the over/under at 5mph.

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[rob]

I use aero glaze for cleaning and poly glide for a polish. The airplane is noticeably shinier and also "slippery" after the polish. Towels will slide down the wings, for example.

I've never measured any speed difference but it sure feels better to get out of a clean plane. Same with cars.

Speaking of cars, I do wonder if any race teams have noticed a difference or tested the theory. There could be an application there as well as for OTR transport; fuel economy is important when you drive professionally

[BigTex]

I use aero glaze for cleaning and poly glide for a polish. The airplane is noticeably shinier and also "slippery" after the polish. Towels will slide down the wings, for example.

I've never measured any speed difference but it sure feels better to get out of a clean plane. Same with cars.

Speaking of cars, I do wonder if any race teams have noticed a difference or tested the theory. There could be an application there as well as for OTR transport; fuel economy is important when you drive professionally

+1. I use that stuff and it's amazing. Love it!