Washed my plane

[Seth]

I took the opportunity yesterday to sweep out the concrete in my hanger and also to thoroughly wash my airplane.  I should have also waxed it, but I just washed it. 

 

I'm always amazed how the plane looks when really clean, even though it's pretty clean most of the time anyway! 

 

With cars, just like airplanes, isn't it amazing how much smoother they run when clean

 

Any gotchas I have to watch out with when washing my Mooney?  I've washed them before, but it's always good to get tips to reinforce things you forget.

 

I had used the wash pad a W00 (Freeway) in the past.  This is the first time I've actually used the wash pad at GAI (Gaitherburg).  I tend to clean the plane in the hanger with towels/rags/paper towels/microfiber towels and water/pledge/simple green, especially the leading edge and cowling, but it was nice to scrub her down after the pollen and bird stuff had collected while I was out of town.

 

I went for a quick flight right afterward to ensure no water was sitting in the airplane.  I wanted to get the plane looking decent for our fly in on Saturday at UKT.

 

 

-Seth

[Marauder]

Seth - I put a piece of painter's tape over the static ports when I use a hose. I managed to get some water in mine early in my ownership. I also double check the pitot mast drain isn't plugged.

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[scottfromiowa]

I have NEVER sprayed my plane with high pressure water. Just really wet towels and spray bottle for bugs. Creeper and spray bottle and wet towels with safety glasses and hat while underneath. Agree 100% that plane "feels" and looks so much better when clean. Just waxed mine last week...a LOT of work, but worth it.

[1964-M20E]

I just wash it.  I do not spray a hard stream of water at any ports but I do not sweat over it either.  I use a soft bristle brush with a long handle.  I usually just use water before flying if the plane is really dirty or if I have not flown for a while just to knock off the worst of the dirt.  I’ll use a wax and wash occasionally on it.   I have yet to wax it but I know I should.

[gsxrpilot]

What is the recommended wax for these old airplanes?  I'm thinking of doing mine.

[Jerry 5TJ]

I have NEVER sprayed my plane with high pressure water....

I sometimes fly in rain, which I suspect qualifies as "high pressure water" or at least as "high velocity water." 

[carqwik]

I completely forgot to cover my static ports when I washed it.  Didn't seem to matter...I did remember to use the static system drains after washing but no moisture there.  I used clay bar on all top surfaces of my plane after the wash....definitely removes the impurities buried in the paint and made the surface smooth prior to waxing. 

 

I think I picked up 2 kts in speed....

[Danb]

Paul.. I like all the maguire products for wax etc...

[Danb]

Also shun away from polish I'v only use carnuba wax

[KSMooniac]

Collinite Insulator Wax #845 is the best product I've seen for waxing... easy application, very durable.  

[Mike A]

What do you guys use to get the belly nice and clean?

[Marauder]

I completely forgot to cover my static ports when I washed it. Didn't seem to matter...I did remember to use the static system drains after washing but no moisture there. I used clay bar on all top surfaces of my plane after the wash....definitely removes the impurities buried in the paint and made the surface smooth prior to waxing.

I think I picked up 2 kts in speed....

Your post reminded about another reason to cover the static ports -- wax!

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[carqwik]

Belly - Simple Green (Aircraft) and rag...followed by wipe down by moist rag, followed by dry rag.  Usually don't need the dry rag in AZ as the moisture evaporates quickly.

[DrBill]

Belly - Simple Green (Aircraft) and rag...followed by wipe down by moist rag, followed by dry rag.  Usually don't need the dry rag in AZ as the moisture evaporates quickly.

Exactly what I use !

BILL

[jetdriven]

Belly - Simple Green (Aircraft) and rag...followed by wipe down by moist rag, followed by dry rag.  Usually don't need the dry rag in AZ as the moisture evaporates quickly.

Id use water to wash away the simple green aircraft. That stuff will migrate into the lap seams and it has a pH of 12. It can eat aluminum.

[TWinter]

Rejex..Kinda of pricey, but was turned on to it from some fellow Corvette guys. Stuff is great and last long. I wax about three times a year. Try to wash once a month and generally do a wipe down of bugs after each flight..The airport offers a wash/wax service, but I prefer to do it myself. Don't want them pushing, pulling and spraying the wrong spots... 

 

Yeap, I'm a anal OCD kind of guy when it comes to my plane..

[scottfromiowa]

Id use water to wash away the simple green aircraft. That stuff will migrate into the lap seams and it has a pH of 12. It can eat aluminum.

I'll just go find a thunderstorm...

[Marauder]

I'll just go find a thunderstorm...

I hear hurricanes do a better job.

[fantom]

I hear hurricanes do a better job.

 

Only if your plane is both insured and for sale

[carqwik]

Simple Green manufactures a product specifically designed for use on aircraft — Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner. This product was initially developed for use in the aircraft industry and extensive testing shows it to be safe for use on aluminum, plastics, rubber, and high tech alloys, in both normal and extreme temperatures and stress conditions. Extreme Simple Green passed a variety of aircraft industry tests. Testing has been performed by Scientific Materials International, Inc. and is available upon request.

 

When used with caution and according to the instructions, Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner has been safely and successfully used to clean aluminum. Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner, Crystal Simple Green Industrial Cleaner & Degreaser, and Simple Green Pressure Washer Concentrates have been used on aircraft, automotive, industrial and consumer aluminum items for over 20 years. However, caution and common sense must be used: aluminum is a soft metal that easily corrodes with unprotected exposure to water. The aqueous-base and alkalinity of Simple Green All-Purpose Cleaner can accelerate the corrosion process. Therefore, contact times for unprotected or unpainted aluminum surfaces should be kept as brief as the job will allow - never for more than 10 minutes. Large cleaning jobs should be conducted in smaller-area stages to achieve lower contact time. Rinsing after cleaning should always be extremely thorough - paying special attention to flush out cracks and crevices to remove all Simple Green product residues. Unfinished, uncoated or unpainted aluminum cleaned with Simple Green products should receive some sort of protectant after cleaning to prevent oxidation.

 

Simple Green has also developed break-through water based cleaners that are safe for use on metals, plastics, rubber and high tech alloys. Extreme Simple Green Aircraft & Precision Cleaner, Pro Series Simple Green Automotive Cleaner, and Simple Green Pro HD are available on both the industrial and retail markets, respectively. These products were initially developed for the aircraft industry and extensive testing shows that they are safe and effective on a variety of metals and other sensitive surfaces even in the most extreme circumstances.

 

 

From the Simple Green website FAQs:

 

http://simplegreen.com/faqs/

 

[jetdriven]

Testing by us  (over 2 years) shows it causes paint to dry out and chip. Left on the aluminum to dry will stain it dark and pit, the onset of corrosion.  New paint, clean rinse its probably OK but it is still corrosive in lap seams if not rinsed thoroughly.

[scottfromiowa]

Testing by us  (over 2 years) shows it causes paint to dry out and chip. Left on the aluminum to dry will stain it dark and pit, the onset of corrosion.  New paint, clean rinse its probably OK but it is still corrosive in lap seams if not rinsed thoroughly.

Did you dilute? Whatever I am using (thought was Simply Green) comes in a one gallon bottle. Designed to be diluted (with water). I would fill to a line I figured was correct on bottle and rest was water. Spray, wipe with wet cloth, then dry cloth. Works well other than having hands over head on a creeper and having the stuff misting down on you as well as getting your grimy towel in the face. Very rewarding to see the multiple nasty towels after the job.

[Super Dave]

What do you guys use to get the belly nice and clean?

Mineral spirits. Cheap, safe, and effective.

[bd32322]

I use the wash wax all product from aircraft spruce. It does a decent job. For oil stains on the belly, aircraft simple green with a spray of water afterwards and wiped dry.

Lemon pledge for plexiglass.

[Wakeup]

Washed mine tonight and my radios didn't work after and engine ran rough on initial push of full throttle?? Checked the mags and no significant drop on right or left. Any thoughts ? I am hoping when I go out there tomorrow all will be dry and running like new again. Thanks. Troy