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Posted

What’s the safest detergent to use on a aluminum plane, I figure ph neutral, but should keep away from phosphate , most of the auto cleaners have sodium in some form, a lot to choose from 

Posted

Ive used Dawn dish washing soap in the past with no I’ll effects. I no longer wash my planes, I clean with furniture polish after every flight, they never see water!

Posted (edited)

The problem with anything labeled for Aircraft/Aviation,  it often attracts a price well above a similar product not so specified.

 

Seems to me that you could talk to cleaning product suppliers/manufacturers, to find something unlikly to react with aluminium and its various alloys.

 

Try Chemtec, they make a wide range of cleaning products https://www.chemtech.net.au/

 

I often use very very dilute Castrol windscreen wash (for particularly grubby/stained areas a few spots on a damp rag adds cleaning power). I think is probably close to a pure (non soap) detergent.- No idea if it attacks aluminium. Great stuff but I think now unavailable (still got about 10L - will last many years) Lots of alternative products, don't know if they will measure up to the Castrol though.

Edited by skippydiesel
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Posted (edited)
  On 06/09/2024 at 1:03 AM, Freizeitpilot said:

Johnson’s baby shampoo ?

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Problem with most  products, for human use, is they are soapes with only a little detergent. Detergent is rough on human skin.

If my memory serves, pure detergent does not foam (or very little).

The froth / foam you get when using automotive shampoos is more for the pleasure/satisfaction of the human applicant, than a practical cleaning agent.

Heavy duty truck washes etc, foam very little.

Windshield wash, foams hardly at all (don't use dishwashing liquid in windscreen wash)

Edited by skippydiesel
Posted (edited)

I regularly use Chemtech CT18 on cars, motorcycles and boats so should work fine on painted surfaces.

 

What are people using for windscreens ?

Edited by BurnieM
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Posted
  On 06/09/2024 at 10:28 PM, BurnieM said:

I regularly use Chemtech CT18 on cars, motorcycles and boats so should work fine on painted surfaces.

 

What are people using for windscreens ?

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Perspex windscreens ? dilute baby shampoo mixed up in a trigger spray bottle, wipe off with a microfibre cloth.  Baby shampoo is a low foaming detergent (not soap) …..and gentle on your baby !

 

Posted
  On 06/09/2024 at 10:55 PM, Flightrite said:

The canopies, LE’s and the belly gets a polish. Do it after every flight and there’s little to clean👍

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What! No bugs on the leading edges? Where in Australia do you fly?

Posted
  On 06/09/2024 at 10:28 PM, BurnieM said:

I regularly use Chemtech CT18 on cars, motorcycles and boats so should work fine on painted surfaces.

 

What are people using for windscreens ?

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Mostly water from a spray bottle, wiped down with damp chamois, followed by dry polishing cloth (microfiber).

 

Every now & again  I use ViewPlex, skip the chamois, go straight to the microfiber .

 

What do people use on their propeller??

 

  • I try get as much dried bug guts off with dilute detergent/water.
  • I follow this with a good quality automotive polish (usually 2-3 applications).
  • Finally apply a layer of Carnauba wax, to leading edges and rear surface - this I let dry and do not polish off.

 

The idea is that the dried wax will "shed" bugs more readily than  the polished surface. I think it works.

I have also used this technique, on all leading edges, when on an away (multi day) trip - seems to save a lot of cleaning when I get home.

Posted

Timely discussion, I was about to ask about Polycarbonate windscreens.

Assume that similar (couple of drops of detergent in water, microfibre cloth rinsed often, then dry microfibre) is ok?

Posted

The bloke I learned from swore blue blind that Mr Sheen was the go for aircraft windscreens. Used it for years and it seem to work well.

  • Agree 1
Posted

What do people use on their propeller??

 

  • I try get as much dried bug guts off with dilute detergent/water.
  • I follow this with a good quality automotive polish (usually 2-3 applications).
  • Finally apply a layer of Carnauba wax, to leading edges and rear surface - this I let dry and do not polish off.

 

The idea is that the dried wax will "shed" bugs more readily than  the polished surface. I think it works.

I have also used this technique, on all leading edges, when on an away (multi day) trip - seems to save a lot of cleaning when I get home.

Posted
  On 11/09/2024 at 12:33 AM, sfGnome said:

The bloke I learned from swore blue blind that Mr Sheen was the go for aircraft windscreens. Used it for years and it seem to work well.

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Not all windscreen are made of the same plastic.

 

Polycarbonate windscreen must not be touched by hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons (eg petrol) are very likly to cause crazing/misting and even cracking of the material. Hydrocarbons are found in some polishes/cleaners.

 

No matter the windscreen, if you want to minimise scratches & polishing marks, it is important to remove as much material (dust/squished bugs) as possible BEFORE polishing. I recomend plenty of water (to flush away any potential abrasives), followed by a damp/wet cloth / chamois,  then whatever polishing you want to do. NOTE: Polycarbonate windscreens are particularly vulnerable to being marked.

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Posted
  On 11/09/2024 at 12:33 AM, sfGnome said:

The bloke I learned from swore blue blind that Mr Sheen was the go for aircraft windscreens. Used it for years and it seem to work well.

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Mr Sheen has been used a lot on aircraft windscreens, but prolonged use (years) on some grades of Perspex will eventually make it dull. Mr Sheen contains paraffins and uses a butane propellant.

 

Posted
  On 13/09/2024 at 5:26 AM, Freizeitpilot said:

Mr Sheen has been used a lot on aircraft windscreens, but prolonged use (years) on some grades of Perspex will eventually make it dull. Mr Sheen contains paraffins and uses a butane propellant.

 

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Are not paraffins & butane hydrocarbons? If so keep away from polycarbonates.

Posted
  On 10/09/2024 at 11:29 PM, skippydiesel said:

What! No bugs on the leading edges? Where in Australia do you fly?

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What do you think LE’s mean?😂

 

If and I mean if (as I never leave my planes unclean) bugs are plentiful and hard to move I use water and a chux wipe followed by furniture polish, the cheapest stuff I can find. Being doing that for years on all my planes.

I would use the stuff on the Bombardier Jet I drive but me thinks the owner wouldn’t be happy😂

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Posted
  On 13/09/2024 at 11:11 PM, Flightrite said:

What do you think LE’s mean?😂

 

If and I mean if (as I never leave my planes unclean) bugs are plentiful and hard to move I use water and a chux wipe followed by furniture polish, the cheapest stuff I can find. Being doing that for years on all my planes.

I would use the stuff on the Bombardier Jet I drive but me thinks the owner wouldn’t be happy😂

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"...................there’s little to clean"

Posted
  On 14/09/2024 at 5:11 AM, Flightrite said:

I think you missed my point, but yes little to clean IF it’s done after every flight😀

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You must fly from a sealed runway - all grass ay my end. Clean every bug, fuel & exhaust stain off the aircraft - do a few TO/landings and it looks like is never been detailed😈

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