PIREP: Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer

[carqwik]

Went to the airport yesterday to clean the belly and exhaust stain.  On the way to get water from the FBO, ran into my local A&P talking with an owner of a Columbia 400.  Stopped by...met the plane owner...and admired his absolutely pristine hangar (pictures on the walls, coated floor, small living room set up, fridge, etc...place was spotless).  So by chance mentioned to him that I am just happy to have a clean plane...and was on my way to get water from the FBO to clean my plane's underside. (We used to have water at some hangar rows but the EPA took that away since there weren't water/oil separators around the drains.)  He tells me to forget the water...and goes and gets a can of the stuff he uses and gives it to me to try:

Scrubbing Bubbles Mega Shower Foamer with Ultra Cling (aerosol can 20 oz.)

He says it's spray on, wipe off...no water needed.  I ask the A&P whether it's safe for aluminum...he says yes...it's the best stuff for belly cleaning. 

So I tried it...holy smokes...works absolutely great.  One spray of an area...let it sit for a minute or two and wipe off.  No residue, no oil residue, nothing...absolutely clean.  Also removed the exhaust stains.

Ingredients for the product are found here:

http://www.whatsinsidescjohnson.com/us/en/brands/scrubbing-bubbles/scrubbing-bubbles-mega-shower-foamer

Any chemical experts have an opinion of whether this is safe for our planes?

[neilpilot]

I reviewed this product's SDS, and it would appear it's safe for use on aluminum.  I can't vouch for the paint, though.  I would recommend using eye protection, and keep it away from acrylic (i.e. your windows).

[Hank]

I use AeroCosmetics Wash & Wax for the plane, and their red Degreaser for the belly. Never had to scrub anything, and it leaves a glossy, slick, waxed feeling behind.

spray it on, wipe it off (one towel does the whole plane), then buff with a dry towel. Just like waxing, do a little at a time, it's not supposed to dry by itself. If it does, spray it again.

[jetdriven]

The Ph is 10.9 which makes it a pretty strong acid.  I wouldn't put it on my plane.  

I used to think simple green extreme was ok, it said its safe. 2 years in it dried out the paint an sit comes off in large pieces, and it has hundreds of little cracks.  It dried  it out and ruined the paint.  

Then I used Dawn at the advice of a friend.  It ATE and corroded the heck out of a quarter sized spot of bare metal on the wing. I rinsed and rinsed it when I washed it, but 2 weeks later a gray puffed up spot. 

Now I use this product called SC aircraft and metal cleaner. So far seems safe, we'll see. For exhaust, mineral spirits is safe and the SC cleans up the greasy residue.  I've also heard good things about carbon-x.  

[gsxrpilot]

+1 for AeroCosmetics Wash Wax

[M20F]

Mineral Spirits and PH neutral car soap.  There are lots of things which will clean as good or maybe even better but really isn't worth the corrison risk to me.  

[mooniac15u]

13 hours ago, jetdriven said:

The Ph is 10.9 which makes it a pretty strong acid.  I wouldn't put it on my plane.  

pH 10.9 is basic, not acidic. 

[bradp]

I've used isopropyl alcohol as a degreaser.  Safe for aluminum from what I've read.  Heck I've used it in sensitive electronics without untoward effect.    

[jetdriven]

Alcohol is fine. I have switched to denatured alcohol for a parts cleaner and a degreaser before priming or painting. I used to use MEK, acetone, Tolulene, Lacquer thinner, or enamel reducer. I used to paint isocyanate paints without a mask but I've learned that stuff kills you. 

Note none of these are corrosive, but Simple Green anything, scrubbing bubbles, dawn, and 409 WILL eat your airplane. Maybe it'll just eat the paint. 

[carqwik]

I have to question some of the logic...shower enclosures usually have doors/frames that are made of aluminum.  Clearly SC Johnson & Co. knows this and puts a product into the market specifically for cleaning showers.  I really doubt that the Scrubbing Bubbles will eat the aluminum away given its more typical use in a bathroom...heck, I am going to write to them and see what comes back...stay tuned!

[Hector]

I have to question some of the logic...shower enclosures usually have doors/frames that are made of aluminum.  Clearly SC Johnson & Co. knows this and puts a product into the market specifically for cleaning showers.  I really doubt that the Scrubbing Bubbles will eat the aluminum away given its more typical use in a bathroom...heck, I am going to write to them and see what comes back...stay tuned!

If you are going to write them then might as well ask about effects on paint. Unless you get a detailed answer which includes test data or at a minimum references to test data I'm not sure I would risk it.

[jetdriven]

Do not use this stuff on aircraft.  

 "eats aluminum" http://www.vansairforce.com/community/archive/index.php?t-2031.html

 

 

 

[jetdriven]

That was for scrubbing bubbles.  But simple green extreme, or aviation, doesn't really seem to corrode aluminum very much but it dries out the paint and makes t come off the plane, it did it to mine. Besides, anything that burns your skin and leaves a rash can't be good for your plane. 

[cnoe]

17 minutes ago, jetdriven said: That was for scrubbing bubbles.  But simple green extreme, or aviation, doesn't really seem to corrode aluminum very much but it dries out the paint and makes t come off the plane, it did it to mine. Besides, anything that burns your skin and leaves a rash can't be good for your plane. 

From the thread you posted:

 

Simple green was universally thought to be OK on aluminum and than the military, which used it extensively found a direct correlation to aircraft corrosion and simple green. Mil test done with (original) Simple Green showed increased alum corrosion rates. I used diluted Simple Green on the belly and it worked great before I knew but no longer do. I now use mild dishwashing soap for the belly and mild liquid custom car wash soap for the rest of the plane. 

However they now they have "Extreme Simple Green", which is made for aircraft:
http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/cspages/09-00809.php
(Meets Boeing D6-17487 Revision P (April 2003): Exterior & General Cleaners.)
 

Maybe next time I order from Spruce I'll include the "Extreme Simple Green" in with the order? 

I bought a gallon of Extreme Simple Green (aircraft formula) from AC Spruce and it's removed paint from my wings (discolored my rag) each time I've tried it. I am DONE with that product. I've got 3/4 gallon+ left I'll let go cheap. FWIW, the green formula SG never damaged my paint.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[jetdriven]

Click on "full version" if it's text only. Page 3 

http://www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=2031

 

PS I don't use Dawn either   It corroded a bare aluminum spot on my wing badly in ten days, and I rinsed that spot extremely thoroughly. 

Whsg do I use now? SC aircraft and metal cleaner  

Scrubbing Bubbles is corrosive

---

I tried some on some scrap 2024 Alclad and let it sit overnight. No question - it is corrosive. I agree with the remarks above - don't let it get into a lap joint.
Mineral spirits, then rinse with mild solution of dishwashing liquid such as Dawn or Palmolive has been recommended by my A&P/AI.

[StevenL757]

On November 15, 2015 at 17:48:01, Hank said:

I use AeroCosmetics Wash & Wax for the plane, and their red Degreaser for the belly. Never had to scrub anything, and it leaves a glossy, slick, waxed feeling behind.

spray it on, wipe it off (one towel does the whole plane), then buff with a dry towel. Just like waxing, do a little at a time, it's not supposed to dry by itself. If it does, spray it again.

+1 for the AeroCosmetics stuff.  I use several of their products...the Wash/Wax All, Degreaser, Belly Wash, and the pink acrylic cleaner stuff.  Love all of them.  In fact, I'm due to place another order...thanks for the inadvertent reminder!  :-)

[bonal]

GOJO non abrasive hand cleaner works great use a soft brush to apply then rinse. Will remove dirt oil and exhaust smudge. One tubb does whole belly and out past the gear for about three bucks.

[Hank]

10 hours ago, daver328 said:

I'll definitely look at the "SC Aircraft and Metal Cleaner."

Any pireps on the Aero Cosmetics (purple stuff) Airplane Belly Wash? We have been using the blue stuff (Wash-Wax) with good results. I was just too cheap to buy the belly wash? 

I do the while plane with Blue, which I buy in gallons. A quart of Degreaser (red) does the belly several times. No scrubbing, just spray and wipe. Wear goggles or a face mask when doing the belly and spraying up from underneath. It's very easy at annual,when the one piece belly is leaning against the wall. It's taller than me, as wide as the fuse, and takes about five minutes to get shiny clean and slick that way.

Edited November 25, 2015 by Hank

[M20F]

11 hours ago, jetdriven said:

PS I don't use Dawn either   It corroded a bare aluminum spot on my wing badly in ten days, and I rinsed that spot extremely thoroughly. 

I doubt it was Dawn (which is known to be corrosive and stopped using myself) that would cause corrosion that fast.  You mention you use acetone which can cause corrosion on 2024 aluminum see http://www.pfonline.com/articles/aluminum-surface-finishing-corrosion-causes-and-troubleshooting - "Although relatively uncommon, aluminum corrosion can be caused by using acetone to solvent-clean parts in ambient light.^18,19  Aluminum alloys that are copper rich such as 2024 are photoreactive.  The mechanism is that the acetone, in the presence of water, is converted to acetic acid when in contact with the copper intermetallics:²⁰"

 

[MyNameIsNobody]

On November 24, 2015 at 9:45:56 PM, jetdriven said:

Do not use this stuff on aircraft.  

 "eats aluminum" http://www.vansairforce.com/community/archive/index.php?t-2031.html

 

 

 

Link was a good read.  Thank you.  Carbon-X since day one.  Diluted.  Works on a belly.  Still work, not magic.  Makes you feel like you did something (exercise) when done.  A great post Turkey-Day workout.  Clean your belly and lose your belly.  Fat and oil...

Nice.

[carqwik]

Here's the answer from SC Johnson - Not Recommended for Use on Aluminum:

Hi Ken,

Thank you for reaching out to us about Scrubbing Bubbles® Mega Shower Foamer. I'm so sorry for the delay in our response, as I was looking into this.

Please know, while this product can be used to clean fiberglass, we don't recommend it for aluminum surfaces. That being said, you may want to reach out to the manufacturer of the aircraft for their recommended care and cleaning instructions.

I there's anything else we can do to help, know we're always here.

Mai Song

Consumer Relationship Center

SC Johnson, A Family Company

 

USA  1-800-558-5252  |  scjohnson.com

Canada  1-800-558-5566  |  scjohnson.ca

 

Reference Number: 017155301A

[carusoam]

It is greatly appreciated when a MS member makes and shares a direct contact like this^!

Nice response from the customer service people as well.

Best regards,

-a-