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Dawn for belly degreasing?

PJClark

By PJClark
in General Mooney Talk

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PJClark Proficient

PJClark

Posted
Posted

Apologies if this has been asked and answered. Can't imagine it hasn't but could not find it with search:

is there any reason NOT to use water and Dawn to degrease the airplane belly?

need a quick answer so I can go do this today, been slackin' pretty much all year :wacko:

kortopates Grand Master

kortopates

Posted
Posted (edited)

I don't know if its safe. But if your going to diverge from aircraft cleaning products with so many safe ones to choose from, you really need to ensure its not alkali. Alkalis are not good for aluminum and should be avoided.

My guess it it may well be safe, but likely very ineffective with exhaust soot too.

A very effective belly cleaner available everywhere is Mineral Spirts/Stoddard Solvent. 

Edited by kortopates
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GeeBee Grand Master

GeeBee

Posted
Posted

Don't see why not. They use it to degrease wildlife. As said, a good degreaser, exhaust soot I would guess not. 

The main reason it is not used more often is excessive suds.

 

 

pirate Proficient

pirate

Posted
Posted

 I along with many others have used dawn regularly for prepping / cleaning aluminum parts building experimentals for many years. 
I also have used it for years cleaning my Mooney belly skins during annuals. 
 

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LANCECASPER Grand Master

LANCECASPER

Posted
Posted
24 minutes ago, PJClark said:

Apologies if this has been asked and answered. Can't imagine it hasn't but could not find it with search:

is there any reason NOT to use water and Dawn to degrease the airplane belly?

need a quick answer so I can go do this today, been slackin' pretty much all year :wacko:

I like these for the belly.

https://www.amazon.com/Tub-Towels-Heavy-Duty-Multi-Surface-Cleaning/dp/B00022W4ZU/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3VCUHXNDYNPU3&keywords=degreaser+wipes&qid=1656172113&sprefix=degreaser+wip%2Caps%2C149&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExUTlDT0VTRk1BMk9JJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjQ1NjQxMUFVNUgyMkVINzVBWCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwOTc4NDE5NUlONU1FM0dJQU42JndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

No spraying so you don't get it into crevices that may later cause corrosion. And no dripping to get in your eyes.

 

Dawn has been mentioned before. Here's an example:

 

smwash02 Mentor

smwash02

Posted
Posted

I've always used gojo hand cleaner and terry cloths. Make sure it doesn't have pumice!

You gently rub it on and it all rubs right off.

Depending how bad you let it get you'll need a couple towels because they'll get saturated quickly.

images.jpeg

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GeeBee Grand Master

GeeBee

Posted
Posted

Like Skip I use Carbon-X but I don't see any problem with Dawn except it removes wax, but just about everything that cuts grease will remove wax including Carbon-X, solvent etc. Just make sure you rinse it all off with clear water really good and lubricate any fittings it touches.

 

 

EricJ Grand Master

EricJ

Posted
Posted

I've used Dawn, but frequent rinsing is a good idea.   I try to minimize its use on an airplane, since it is not great for aluminum.

The original white goop hand cleaner works awesome for cleaning belly grease, landing gear, etc.   Takes it right off with blue shop towels.  Harbor Freight usually has it on the shelf, too.

https://www.amazon.com/GOOP-Cleaner-Waterless-Non-Toxic-Biodegradable/dp/B001ENOLZ2

 

M20 Ogler Collaborator

M20 Ogler

Posted
Posted (edited)
4 hours ago, smwash02 said:

I've always used gojo hand cleaner and terry cloths. Make sure it doesn't have pumice!

You gently rub it on and it all rubs right off.

Depending how bad you let it get you'll need a couple towels because they'll get saturated quickly.

images.jpeg

+1 for Gojo. It’s like the grease was never there and it works fast. Make sure it’s kind without pumice 

Edited by M20 Ogler
Pinecone Grand Master

Pinecone

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, M20F said:

Important to note Dawn will strip any wax you have applied.  

YES.

In the auto world, you use Dawn to remove all wax before using a clay bar to remove embedded stuff, and then start the coating process all over.

Pinecone Grand Master

Pinecone

Posted
Posted

There is a Simple Green for Aircraft.   I have some for other uses.

 

Do NOT use normal Simple Green.  It will eat aluminum.

Andy95W Grand Master

Andy95W

Posted
Posted

For the belly, mineral spirits and those nice blue paper towels.  Probably cost about 5¢.  Just my 2¢ worth.

If you use Byron’s suggestion of kerosene and old towels, it would probably be an actual 2¢.

EricJ Grand Master

EricJ

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, jetdriven said:

The active ingredient in Gojo and goop is deodorized kerosene

And the beauty of those two products is the deodorization and the ease of application and that you then leave it on the shelf to clean your hands.  ;)

Plus stability and safety and...  ;)

jetdriven Grand Master

jetdriven

Posted
Posted
41 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

There is a Simple Green for Aircraft.   I have some for other uses.

 

Do NOT use normal Simple Green.  It will eat aluminum.

Actually, simple green for Aircraft destroys the paint. I know this because we used to wash with it regularly and soon after the paint began  to chip and flake and peel off because it was basically dried out, looking at the situation carefully, it takes the plasticizers out of the paint and it basically destroys it. I should’ve gotten the message whenever I was washing the belly and the stuff ran down to my armpit and caused a infuriatingly painful red rash there. 

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N201MKTurbo Grand Master

N201MKTurbo

Posted
Posted

Out here in Arizona, dawn is the best time to degrease your belly. It’s too stinking hot later in the day.

From someone who just spent 4 hours outside, sanding the oxidized paint (from ‘68) off the old Cessna.

  • Haha 1
RobertGary1 Grand Master

RobertGary1

Posted
Posted
10 hours ago, GeeBee said:

Don't see why not. They use it to degrease wildlife. As said, a good degreaser, exhaust soot I would guess not. 

The main reason it is not used more often is excessive suds.

 

 

Dawn actually is amazingly abrasive 

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