That New Airplane Smell

[0TreeLemur]

In 2019 my co-pilot and I redid the interior in our C.   All those outgassing fabrics/coverings created a version of "that new airplane smell".   Loved it.  Got rid of what could best be called "old airplane" odor.

Just got plane back from annual.  They replaced the brake hoses and bled the brakes.   I pointed out the instructions for bleeding brakes in the Mooney in the S&MM.  Following @takair's advice I asked them to place a bunch of rags on the floor below the hydraulic reservoir to catch spills.

Did not work for unknown reasons.   Now the odor of interior of our C smells of what might best be described as diesel exhaust.  Dammit.   Now I suppose I'm going to have to pull the carpets and have them cleaned.   Anybody know of other tricks to eliminate odors from the cabin?  

[A64Pilot]

Ozium used the be the gold standard

[0TreeLemur]

5 minutes ago, A64Pilot said:

Ozium used the be the gold standard

Note to self: stop at truck stop for Ozium.

[LANCECASPER]

I’m usually very skeptical about claims on products, but if you google “Norwex Odor Neutralizer”, this stuff actually works

[A64Pilot]

I think you can clean the carpet with PD-680 (dry cleaning solvent) and remove the oil.

‘Pretty sure PD-680 is odorless mineral spirits too.

[EricJ]

I spilled some BMW gear oil out of a diff in the back of my truck cab probably six years ago.   It's only finally gone away over the last year or so, and I scrubbed the crap out of that carpet multiple times with everything I could find.   Gear oil smells really bad.

Let us know if you find something that works well.   That's definitely an annoying thing to deal with.

 

[takair]

Depends on the type of carpet and how much fluid they spilled.  It sounds like it may be significant.  Would start with some absorbent towels or rags and see if it is still “wet”.  I’ve used K2R on fuel soaked models, wood, pool tables, and some fabrics.  As usual, try it on an inconspicuous surface first.  Spray on thick…..let it dry well.  If there is no oil, it comes off as a powder…vacuums easily.  If it is not powdery after drying….it means it is working at pulling out the oil…..remove it and add more until it comes up as a powder.  If it is a thick carpet, it may not work well….  Sorry this happened.  I miss that new smell, but I have come to like the vintage smell as well…. 5606, I hate, and can do without.

[0TreeLemur]

Thanks everyone.  I appreciate the input. 

We installed the "lightweight" carpet from SCS-Interiors.   This carpet has a wear pad installed near the rudder pedals where the pilot's heels rest- that's where most of the fluid seems to have fallen.   I hit it with some citrus cleaner this afternoon and sopped up a fair bit of it from the surrounding fabric.  I might try @A64Pilot's suggestion of odorless mineral spirits next.  Dilution will surely cut down the odor.

Failing that, I might give the K2R a try.

At least we installed the charcoal grey colored carpet so it doesn't show any stain.

[MikeOH]

Sorry, I just can't help but to comment on this!

Only in the aviation world that the acceptable response to a vendor screw-up is....to fix the problem they created, yourself!!

Good grief!  Can you imagine your reaction if a car dealer had done this to your car's interior and the dealer, despite being warned by you, tells you it's YOUR problem!!

The unchallenged acceptance of this 'standard' is just unbelievable.

[Hank]

Febreeze is a great odor killer, rather than an odor cover-up.

But I've never found a way to get hydraulic fluid out of my shirts or pants . . . . . Some small spots have been clearly visible after years of washing.

Good luck with your carpet. If you take it out, wipe the floorboards clean then scrub with alcohol (at least 70%; higher works better) until it is squeaky clean. Hydraulic fluid won't come up any other way, even when it looks clean it isn't.  

[BobbyH]

Hate to hear what happened to the "New Airplane Smell".  It is always nice to open the doors and get both visual and olfactory gratification. 

One method that has worked for me with other oils (sorry not brake/hydraulic fluids) is with a good Citrus Cleaner as you mentioned with aggressive wet/dry vacuuming, a couple times followed by rinsing it out with clean water and vacuuming a few times till no suds coming up.  Dry as best as possible with towel and hopefully you are in a hangar so you can leave doors open till it drys out.  Hot sunny day helps too. 

Be sure to check surrounding areas where it may have splashed or dripped and get it all wiped down.

Hope you get that new airplane smell back soon!

-  Bob  -

 

[0TreeLemur]

7 hours ago, MikeOH said:

Sorry, I just can't help but to comment on this!

Only in the aviation world that the acceptable response to a vendor screw-up is....to fix the problem they created, yourself!!

Good grief!  Can you imagine your reaction if a car dealer had done this to your car's interior and the dealer, despite being warned by you, tells you it's YOUR problem!!

The unchallenged acceptance of this 'standard' is just unbelievable.

Yes, but.  The auto dealer charges $125/h and I don't get to stick my head in their shop, much less help.   My dear old A&P IA charges $1200 flat fee for an annual.  That probably worked out to about $75/h for his time on my annual.  Further, he deducted $200 because I did a lot of the underside work removing belly & inspection panels, lubing, cleaning so he could inspect, etc.  Add in some avionics work and new mains bearings and brake hoses, and it was a very reasonable annual.  Ok, he spilled some brake fluid.   My vehicles don't have the brake fluid reservoir in the cab!

I cut him slack because he is an excellent mechanic.   At 74 years old, he's still sharp and engaged.   He cares.  He consults me when he gets to something Mooney specific that he doesn't know or have experience to deal with.   He generally does what I ask, its just that he forgot to put down rags.  He did get the brakes bled well after struggling with it for a while.  That's the most important part.  I'm not upset with him and I really appreciate the help I've gotten in this thread.  All the input above will help me solve this problem.

Finally, I don't mind fixing problems that the FARs let me fix, because my airplane is my hobby.

[carusoam]

There are probably diesel fuel cleaners as well… find a truck stop…

Or around the airport… Jet fuel cleaners…

Both have pretty strong aromas from similar chemistry…

The similar chemistry may use the same cleaners…

Something gentle like a hand cleaner that the line people use may be really helpful…

 

PP thoughts only, not an organic or an inorganic chemist…

Best regards,

-a-

[RLCarter]

On the Cessna the carpet is pulled every annual and I pull the carpet on the Mooney (installed with snaps) every other annual, both get the carpet power washed at the car wash at least every other year. Down here in S. TX it stays windy and warm/hot most days so the carpet dries within a few hours. Even though I vacuum them out every few weeks I’m amazed at the dirt that comes out when I take them to the car wash. 

[A64Pilot]

If you do the odorless mineral spirits, remove the carpet, soak the area and throw it over a fence or something so the excess will drain. Yes your using a solvent to flush out  the oil and the the solvent should evaporate of course, it may take a couple of times to get all of the oil

I’ve also had good luck with rugs etc with simple green, throwing over the fence and using a cheap pressure washer. I’m sure you have seen the self serve car washes with the clips on the wall for the floor mats, same thing.

 You’ll get it if you want to bad enough, use a cheap pressure washer, a good one can tear stuff up

Edited May 2, 2022 by A64Pilot

[Fly Boomer]

2 hours ago, A64Pilot said:

use a cheap pressure washer, a good one can tear stuff up

I have searched on and off for one of those.  Searching the Internet for "low pressure washer" hasn't worked for me.  Got a recommendation?

[A64Pilot]

1 hour ago, Fly Boomer said:

I have searched on and off for one of those.  Searching the Internet for "low pressure washer" hasn't worked for me.  Got a recommendation?

This is what i currently have to wash there car, airplane , engines etc. just a cheap pressure washer.

‘They don’t replace a rag etc, really good for knocking most of the dirt off and rinsing, you still need a rag or brush, but for carpet you want some pressure to get into the pile

‘The big boys like ones to clean decks and wash concrete etc can tear stuff up, but a cheap one if you keep it at least 6 inches away won’t.

You can also go to the car wash and do they same thing 

 

Edited May 2, 2022 by A64Pilot

[A64Pilot]

7 hours ago, RLCarter said:

On the Cessna the carpet is pulled every annual and I pull the carpet on the Mooney (installed with snaps) every other annual, both get the carpet power washed at the car wash at least every other year. Down here in S. TX it stays windy and warm/hot most days so the carpet dries within a few hours. Even though I vacuum them out every few weeks I’m amazed at the dirt that comes out when I take them to the car wash. 

What he said