carusoam Posted October 26, 2016 Report Posted October 26, 2016 Remember to check the compatibility of the solvents with the surface coating and surface chemistry.... don't melt or craze something accidently.... stuff made for glass might not be very good for plastic or paint. WD40 was used in excess on my M20C with no noticeable issues. Following this logic, a good turtle wax might be equally helpful and slightly longer lasting... Looking forwards to see if any photographic results come from this discussion... Rain-X used a version of Teflon back in the day. It's solvent was somewhat specialized for the job. Best regards, -a- Quote
Browncbr1 Posted October 26, 2016 Report Posted October 26, 2016 I would be interested to find out if rainX is a fourine compound also. Quote
aviatoreb Posted October 27, 2016 Report Posted October 27, 2016 57 minutes ago, Browncbr1 said: I would be interested to find out if rainX is a fourine compound also. So would I - I would be tempted to spray it on my XC skis. You have no idea how much they over charge for fluorine in the ski industry. But the stuff is fast. Quote
mooniac15u Posted October 27, 2016 Report Posted October 27, 2016 The RainX brand appears to be used on a variety of products now. It looks like the original is a polysiloxane. The products for non-glass surfaces may be something else. Quote
Piloto Posted October 27, 2016 Report Posted October 27, 2016 (edited) I would test Rain X in the refrigerator first to confirm no ice adhesion to surface. Just simply spray Rain X on a metal spoon and then put a couple of water droplets on the spoon. Put the spoon in the freezer for a couple of hours. Take the spoon out and flip it upside down. If the ice comes off it is good for de icing. I did this with WD-40 and the ice came off. José Edited October 27, 2016 by Piloto 2 Quote
klystron Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 Here is my friend's NASA paper on the subject: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=20140011454 2 Quote
clh Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 interesting read. When is phase 2 of his paper due to complete? Quote
carusoam Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 It is nice to see some pretty powerful science being applied to my favorite subject, flying safely! I might have missed something while reading.... I was surprised to not see 'super-cooled' water droplets being mentioned. Sort of like large amounts of instant ice waiting for an airplane to happen by... Thanks for sharing the document. Tell your friend we look forward to his additional work. Best regards, -a- Quote
klystron Posted October 30, 2016 Report Posted October 30, 2016 Yeah, I guess the followup paper (the one on crickets) somehow was deleted or at least he no longer has access to it. I don't know if NASA is still working on this stuff but I know that my friend is no longer working on it. Quote
Jerry 5TJ Posted November 3, 2016 Report Posted November 3, 2016 On October 26, 2016 at 11:30 AM, Jerry 5TJ said: How about we collect some real data: Those of us who do fly in icing conditions with our FIKI planes can start spraying WD40 on the unprotected areas (areas with no TKS panel) of one wing and see how it compares with the same untreated area on the other wing during icing. The taxi and landing light lens is mid-span on newer planes, about a foot of leading edge with no TKS. That area can be photographed from the cabin fairly well. I'll use that spot. Debate is fine but photo evidence is better. My hunch: No improvement using WD40. Why? Because a fair amount of TKS fluid must flow to inhibit ice formation. I suspect a film of WD40 applied before departure will be gone too quickly to be efficacious. But we'll find out. First trial: Yesterday during a flight at 7000 I saw a trace of ice. I used the TKS mainly to prime the panels. I had sprayed WD40 on the LEFT wing's taxi light lens. Result: No visible difference between left and right lenses. Will try again and report again after a more significant ice encounter. 3 Quote
Andy95W Posted November 3, 2016 Report Posted November 3, 2016 You may have to mix it with urine from your relief tube... 1 Quote
Hank Posted November 3, 2016 Report Posted November 3, 2016 13 minutes ago, N1395W said: You may have to mix it with urine from your relief tube... Only if you keep it warm until use . . . 1 Quote
Piloto Posted November 3, 2016 Report Posted November 3, 2016 1 hour ago, Jerry 5TJ said: First trial: Yesterday during a flight at 7000 I saw a trace of ice. I used the TKS mainly to prime the panels. I had sprayed WD40 on the LEFT wing's taxi light lens. Result: No visible difference between left and right lenses. Will try again and report again after a more significant ice encounter. How long you were in flight? Did both lenses were covered with ice? José 1 Quote
thinwing Posted November 3, 2016 Report Posted November 3, 2016 He needs to try Pilotos special blend castor oil laxative blend for anti ice and regular bowel movements! 3 Quote
Marauder Posted November 3, 2016 Report Posted November 3, 2016 He needs to try Pilotos special blend castor oil laxative blend for anti ice and regular bowel movements! Don't forget he also tosses in ground up toe nails from those wonderful looking feet of his. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1 Quote
Andy95W Posted November 4, 2016 Report Posted November 4, 2016 On November 2, 2016 at 9:15 PM, Jerry 5TJ said: First trial: Yesterday during a flight at 7000 I saw a trace of ice. I used the TKS mainly to prime the panels. I had sprayed WD40 on the LEFT wing's taxi light lens. Result: No visible difference between left and right lenses. Will try again and report again after a more significant ice encounter. Thanks for doing this, BTW. Can you also try the effectiveness of some of the other things mentioned, like RainX, etc.? Very useful information for those of us without TKS. 1 Quote
goncaloareia Posted November 4, 2016 Author Report Posted November 4, 2016 On 11/3/2016 at 1:15 AM, Jerry 5TJ said: First trial: Yesterday during a flight at 7000 I saw a trace of ice. I used the TKS mainly to prime the panels. I had sprayed WD40 on the LEFT wing's taxi light lens. Result: No visible difference between left and right lenses. Will try again and report again after a more significant ice encounter. Thanks for the test! Please keep us posted with more details that you may have from this flight and also from additional ones!! 1 Quote
thinwing Posted November 4, 2016 Report Posted November 4, 2016 Well I know both plexus and pledge aren't anti ice cause the landing light lenses ice up every time.Same with the wingtip lenses But can't see them .Either way just turning the lights on and the heat from the lamps does the job. Quote
Browncbr1 Posted November 6, 2016 Report Posted November 6, 2016 I found a bottle of rainX in my garage. It says that it repels snow, sleet, and ice in addition to rain. It even claims to keep bugs off. It also says not to apply to painted surfaces. Probably just a disclaimer if discoloration happens. I'll probably put this on my prop and see if it makes any difference with bugs and paint. Quote
carusoam Posted November 7, 2016 Report Posted November 7, 2016 Try some rainX on your car windshield to see how well it works and how long it stays.... The challenge I had using it was seeing through it under night lights. And of course the solvent is reported as pretty strong. you can immediately tell a few things about it by watching the windshield wipers glide over the surface differently. The windshield does get dirty with time. Negating the rainX value. Using wipers definitely limits the amount of time the coating lasts... It stays for weeks, keeps you from wanting to use the wipers, and gets dirty making it less effective... when it is less effective you use the wipers putting an end to it even sooner... Expect it to be different on a plane being impacted by rain... hopefully it lasts long enough without ruining the paint... Best regards, -a- Quote
Jerry 5TJ Posted December 25, 2016 Report Posted December 25, 2016 On November 2, 2016 at 9:15 PM, Jerry 5TJ said: First trial: Yesterday during a flight at 7000 I saw a trace of ice. I used the TKS mainly to prime the panels. I had sprayed WD40 on the LEFT wing's taxi light lens. Result: No visible difference between left and right lenses. Will try again and report again after a more significant ice encounter. Second trial:. Today descending into Cleveland with the TKS on max I did pick up ice, maybe 1/4" on the lenses in about 3 minutes. I had sprayed WD40 on the left lens before takeoff, about 2 hours before ice encounter. Some light rain on departure. Result--no difference seen left to right. IMG_0252.MOV 1 Quote
Hector Posted December 25, 2016 Report Posted December 25, 2016 I found a bottle of rainX in my garage. It says that it repels snow, sleet, and ice in addition to rain. It even claims to keep bugs off. It also says not to apply to painted surfaces. Probably just a disclaimer if discoloration happens. I'll probably put this on my prop and see if it makes any difference with bugs and paint. I would be concerned that the rain-x on the prop will eventually end up on the windscreen. Rain-x is not friendly to acrylic plastics as it causes crazing with prolonged use. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk 1 Quote
Hank Posted December 25, 2016 Report Posted December 25, 2016 15 hours ago, Hector said: I would be concerned that the rain-x on the prop will eventually end up on the windscreen. Rain-x is not friendly to acrylic plastics as it causes crazing with prolonged use. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk If you put it on the prop and buff it, it will be dry. Especially if you don't wait until preflight to do it. Then it can't get on anything . . . Quote
aviatoreb Posted December 26, 2016 Report Posted December 26, 2016 20 hours ago, Jerry 5TJ said: Second trial:. Today descending into Cleveland with the TKS on max I did pick up ice, maybe 1/4" on the lenses in about 3 minutes. I had sprayed WD40 on the left lens before takeoff, about 2 hours before ice encounter. Some light rain on departure. Result--no difference seen left to right. IMG_0252.MOV Good experiment. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.