Cleaning products?

[AndreiC]

Couple more questions, and then I promise to stop posting;  sorry for the firehose-style asking of questions... 
 

1) What soap do people use for washing their plane, when doing it with water? My plane sat outside for 4.5 months in California, and it is rather dusty and grimy. Now that I am back in my hangar I want to give her a good bath, with water, soap, and scrubbing. Recommendations for what soap to use? I also plan to use a ceramic wax afterwards, I had one from Wash Wax that I liked but I would not mind hearing other people’s experiences. 

2) I have not found a good way to mount my Stratus 3s ADS-B receiver on one of the rear windows. The mount it came with has a suction cup, which stays on for a couple of days then falls off. I’d like it to stay on more permanently, but also to have the option to later remove it without damaging the plastic window. Is there some gel-like glue I could use that will later peel off easily?

Thanks, Andrei. 

[Fly Boomer]

1 minute ago, AndreiC said:

My plane sat outside for 4.5 months in California, and it is rather dusty and grimy.

If it were mine, I would pull it out of the hangar, then continuously flood with plain water and use my bare hand to gently sweep off the grime.  After I got it as clean as possible with plain water, I would re-assess.  You may not need a grease cutter if it's just covered with dry accumulation.

[LANCECASPER]

16 minutes ago, AndreiC said:

1) What soap do people use for washing their plane, when doing it with water? My plane sat outside for 4.5 months in California, and it is rather dusty and grimy. Now that I am back in my hangar I want to give her a good bath, with water, soap, and scrubbing. Recommendations for what soap to use? I also plan to use a ceramic wax afterwards, I had one from Wash Wax that I liked but I would not mind hearing other people’s experiences.

 

When I've washed my cars at home I've used this and I've used it on a Mooney a few times with good results: https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Ultra-Rich-Conditioner-Cleaning-Conditioning/dp/B071HR14SJ

[Ragsf15e]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

When I've washed my cars at home I've used this and I've used it on a Mooney a few times with good results: https://www.amazon.com/Meguiars-Ultra-Rich-Conditioner-Cleaning-Conditioning/dp/B071HR14SJ

Yeah I’ve used the Mcguires as well.  It can be mixed at a low strength with water and used where needed.  It shouldn’t take much work.  Once you’ve got the basic dust/grime off, you can normally use the blue wash/wax all.  If you use the wash/wax pink degreaser version on the bottom, it will do pretty good on oil and exhaust.

[MikeOH]

Can't help with initial deep cleaning products but in over six years I've never used water, just Wash-Wax-All blue; however, my plane is hangared, so you might consider it going forward now that your plane is hangared.

[AndreiC]

I do have the blue WashWax All, and was planning on first washing the plane with water and soap (I ordered the Meguiar stuff from Amazon), drying off, then using the blue WashWax to finish off. Hopefully I'll get some of the shine back -- unfortunately the paint was already kind of faded even before going to CA... and the brutal sun is not helping.

[Boilermonkey]

I recommend keeping the Stratus within reach.  I have an older model that sometimes looses it's mind, falls off the window, or needs to be plugged in.   I suction cup it to the window on the door before each flight.  In doing so the temperature and pressure fluctuations are account for that day.  If not, it tends to fall off.  I also will reattach when reaching 10K if flying high, due to the reduced pressure.

I had previously mounted in the baggage compartment, but the aforementioned issues made that a no-go.  You could probably mount to the side pillar, but you would have to cut the liner.  I wonder if you could design a mount to slide over the shoulder belt attachment point?   I've done several similar mounts with a 3D printer, but that might be a bit complicated.

I've thought about it over and over, but still use a suction cup.  Open to new ideas.  

[cbarry]

I use Sprayway Crazy Clean for the underside.  It’s not been harsh on paint or aluminum and makes an otherwise tough job easy.  I’m not a real believer in giving an aircraft a complete bath.  I simply think excess moisture will find its way in and unnecessarily become a catalyst for corrosion.  Rinse-less/washless products such as Aero Cosmetics are what I use as a substitute for a full wash.  In your case, a wash might be in order.  I would just use a limited amount of a basic liquid soap (Dawn dishwashing soap maybe) and a very soft mitt.  

[LANCECASPER]

18 minutes ago, cbarry said:

I use Sprayway Crazy Clean for the underside.  It’s not been harsh on paint or aluminum and makes an otherwise tough job easy.  I’m not a real believer in giving an aircraft a complete bath.  I simply think excess moisture will find its way in and unnecessarily become a catalyst for corrosion.  Rinse-less/washless products such as Aero Cosmetics are what I use as a substitute for a full wash.  In your case, a wash might be in order.  I would just use a limited amount of a basic liquid soap (Dawn dishwashing soap maybe) and a very soft mitt.  

Dawn dishwashing soap is very corrosive on aluminum.

[Pinecone]

I have never heard that Dawn is corrosive. 

Simple Green is very corrosive.

If you are going to do a ceramic coat, you need to clean thoroughly.  And if it sat out, you will probably need to do "paint correction" aka buffing.  If you do not have experience doing this, I HIGHLY suggest hiring a professional.  It is VERY easy to buff the paint right off rivet heads and panel edges.  

Also, from what I understand, the "ceramic" coatings you can buy are not that great.  The good ones are only available through someone that goes through the company training and becomes certified to install them.

 

 

[natdm]

I got this guy to help: https://a.co/d/2jXXDMF

I use Extreme Simple Green on the underbelly (from a diluted spray bottle), then spray the entire plane with an Optimum No Rinse (ONR) Wash/Shine mix that I stored in that large sprayer. I'll spray a panel with some Bead Maker, then lightly scrub with a sponge from a bucket that also has ONR. 

I wipe it all off with a huge 36"x30" plush rag (two, actually) as I go. I do a few panels at a time. 

Seems to be working out well for me the one time I did it. Didn't need a wash rack or anything. If the plane is absolutely crusted up with dirt or debris, you do probably want to just hose it off first.

Last note is I tend to use distilled water for everything I can. It just means that if it starts to dry before you're done, there's less gunk on the plane as it happens. It's AZ and if I'm doing it in the summer, even at night, it'll start to dry pretty fast. 

[LANCECASPER]

47 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

I have never heard that Dawn is corrosive. 

Simple Green is very corrosive.

If you are going to do a ceramic coat, you need to clean thoroughly.  And if it sat out, you will probably need to do "paint correction" aka buffing.  If you do not have experience doing this, I HIGHLY suggest hiring a professional.  It is VERY easy to buff the paint right off rivet heads and panel edges.  

Also, from what I understand, the "ceramic" coatings you can buy are not that great.  The good ones are only available through someone that goes through the company training and becomes certified to install them.

 

 

There are a few mentions of this on Mooneyspace. I just grabbed the first couple off of the search: https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q=Dawn&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=7

[haymak3r]

Wash wax all for everything for me. Works good as long as you keep up on it.

This for everywhere except for underbelly:
https://a.co/d/fd0aaIJ

This to cut the oils on the underbelly:

https://a.co/d/j8PKGxG

 

Like others have said. If the paint is really oxidized, or crazed, then getting it buffed out would be best. the above products are really for upkeep, not as the first step.

 

[cbarry]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

Dawn dishwashing soap is very corrosive on aluminum.

I figured someone would want to differ.  Over twenty years of aircraft ownership, I’ve fully washed my aircraft exactly three times.   I don’t think the concern of self-inflicted corrosion is huge.

[EricJ]

Dawn is mildly alkaline, which is not good for aluminum, but if you rinse the crap out of it you'll probably be fine.   There are potential issues if it gets somewhere that it doesn't get rinsed out, so it is probably better to use something else.

Likewise ordinary Simple Green is not good, but there is a variety made specifically for aircraft.  If you use Simple Green make sure it is the aircraft-specific stuff that is okay for aluminum.   Some people have indicated issues even using the aircraft formula.  I used it for getting oil streaks or other stains off (like the rusty blotches from when my hangar roof leaks), and it's pretty good for that.

There seem to be a variety of solutions for general cleaning depending on what needs to be done.    I use the white Goop hand cleaner for degreasing the belly, Aircraft Simple Green for spot-cleaning exterior stains, Maguiar's Ultimate Waterless Wash and Wax for bugs and general cleaning outside of a washrack (i.e., waterless), and just water and microfiber cloths for the windows.

There seems to be a good variety of solutions for this stuff these days.

[LANCECASPER]

1 hour ago, cbarry said:

I figured someone would want to differ.  Over twenty years of aircraft ownership, I’ve fully washed my aircraft exactly three times.   I don’t think the concern of self-inflicted corrosion is huge.

I wasn’t trying to be difficult, but the OP asked what was recommended and what was not. Anything mildly corrosive on the surface is protected by the paint and rinsed off and wiped dry, no problem. It’s what gets in the seams and gets where you can’t see is what would be of concern to me. We’ve had enough issues with hidden spar cap corrosion in the past few years on Mooneyspace.

[Pinecone]

2 hours ago, LANCECASPER said:

There are a few mentions of this on Mooneyspace. I just grabbed the first couple off of the search: https://mooneyspace.com/search/?q=Dawn&quick=1&type=forums_topic&nodes=7

Thanks.

[Pinecone]

Like others, I use Wash Wax All.   Blue for general cleaning, red for the belly.

[phxcobraz]

Optimum NoRinse wash and wax for washing. It makes it so incredibly easy, and you don't need a hose, just access to enough water to fill a 5gal bucket.

I will sometimes add P&S Beadmaker wax when drying each panel for an extra pop.

For the belly and stuck on grime I alternate between aircraft simple green or mineral spirits in a pressurized sprayer. Always make sure to wash the belly also once you clean it, to get any chemicals off. Even if they are listed as safe for aircraft, it's best to not leave them sit.

[hubcap]

56 minutes ago, Pinecone said:

Like others, I use Wash Wax All.   Blue for general cleaning, red for the belly.

Same. I clean Myrtle's wings, horizontal and vertical stabilizers after each flight with Blue Wash Wax all to keep the bugs off.

I clean Myrtle's belly with the red stuff a couple of times a year.

[Ragsf15e]

2 hours ago, EricJ said:

Dawn is mildly alkaline, which is not good for aluminum, but if you rinse the crap out of it you'll probably be fine.   There are potential issues if it gets somewhere that it doesn't get rinsed out, so it is probably better to use something else.

Likewise ordinary Simple Green is not good, but there is a variety made specifically for aircraft.  If you use Simple Green make sure it is the aircraft-specific stuff that is okay for aluminum.   Some people have indicated issues even using the aircraft formula.  I used it for getting oil streaks or other stains off (like the rusty blotches from when my hangar roof leaks), and it's pretty good for that.

There seem to be a variety of solutions for general cleaning depending on what needs to be done.    I use the white Goop hand cleaner for degreasing the belly, Aircraft Simple Green for spot-cleaning exterior stains, Maguiar's Ultimate Waterless Wash and Wax for bugs and general cleaning outside of a washrack (i.e., waterless), and just water and microfiber cloths for the windows.

There seems to be a good variety of solutions for this stuff these days.

I believe you about the alkaline/corrosiveness, but I find it funny that Dawn is mentioned by name in the POH for the Meridian I fly as an approved cleaning soap. I think the chances of corrosion in our older planes is probably much higher - hopefully the newer paint and aluminum coatings are superior…

[WilliamR]

Not a fan of waterless products for broad washing (cool with spot cleaning getting bugs off, though) as they just grind in some dirt before wiping. For planes (and cars) with lots of dirt, I use a foam cannon with the Meguiars product mentioned above. Let the foam sit and couple minutes, then respray with cannon, then wash with a clean, soapy, wool mitt. No scrubbing!!!! Use the two bucket method. Three buckets if your doing cleaning of wheel wells and belly. Don't use jet setting on sprayer, broad spray like a heavy rain is best. I leave all intake plugs in, pitot cover on, tape pilot window even though mine is well sealed, and tape static ports with blue painters tape. 

https://www.amazon.com/SwiftJet-Wash-Foam-Sprayer-Thick/dp/B082SBHKN2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=2KFV0E12UEGRJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.fPp__4w4cFgmIxT49oLuC18JTsh2rBBr384RLY_IRIq4zEjs86oaE5sb-ZxqguZuKf-zzyXxwF-l5_iqzf_aLZSAUXBSSgGIAcw8_dxxDiXxA2QyXrGmk_rravTGBzG1xc_0cIBCo5ULurHLjrJG_eeB_PWSF-DbpJlLJV6oP9mSrWqEk2_2p3ZpT0BKhsssq9BJBYAx9VWRfp0l-C-dMhgbGgHwqy7lL-SZUFKIk-fMBWWbTMtCwszPnoCT1mqs6keSZmVU5x_HJK_ZLxy27Mqk7vxOYZZrYk4Ki53_5tk.-NE7NUZellTrao4uKOokzxytAM1AqC0KzOw_9Okk7vY&dib_tag=se&keywords=foam%2Bcannon%2Bfor%2Bhose&qid=1717615198&sprefix=foam%2Bcannon%2Caps%2C485&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1

Ceramic waxes really don't last longer than plain wax which last outside only a few months. Read/view some independent reviews. A good paint correction and true ceramic is best, but that can be a 20-40 hour project depending on the paint quality.

William

 

[A64Pilot]

For de-greasing a belly, it’s pretty hard to beat our Grandfathers method, that is a solvent gun filled with Mineral spirits to remove the grease, then a good car soap to clean off the Mineral spirits, it’s also excellent for engine cleaning, for many turbines it’s the only approved method.

Dishwashing liquid, soap for clothes etc really is best to avoid.

[Kirch56H]

I would rinse the plane well with regular water and use your hands to loosen any heavier grime on the surface and re-rinse. Follow up with a good soap designed for auto washing and do a hand wash of the plane. Many of the specialty soaps designed for motorcycles and/or aircraft are very similar in makeup but usually cost more based on the “specialty” application. 
 

I’m a little bit OCD when it comes to keeping my Mooney clean. I only use the Plane Perfect line of cleaners and waxes on my Mooney. Chris at Plane Perfect is awesome to deal with and their product is amazing. I used to use the traditional wash/wax blue stuff but find this product is far superior. 
 

I use their Buddha Belly cleaner to do my whole plane once a year or more if needed and I follow that up with their Plane Perfect One series spray cleaner/wax. The Buddha Belly cleaner is amazing at getting the grime off the belly and it takes almost no time to do it using this product. Their One series wash/wax is amazing and It also has a ceramic in it which helps a bunch. I find that when I’m done flying this time of year I simply spray this stuff on the leading edges after a flight, let it sit a minute and just wipe off the bugs to a like new finish. It also sheds water like rain-x when used on the windscreen and on the painted surfaces. 
 

They always runs specials on their website and it’s inexpensive for what you’re getting. 
 

That's my 2 cents! 

https://planeperfect.us

[AndreiC]

OK, after further inspection (now that I am back in the hangar) I decided that just scrubbing with the blue Wash Wax All will be enough for the upper surfaces. So that's that.

For the belly I used to use this product -- premoistened cleaning wipes with some kind of lemon-y cleaner which I got from an auto parts store in town. Is there any concern about corrosion for using these? They do a very good job of cleaning the belly and there is no risk of the cleaner dripping in my eyes.