While it is possible to learn the proper use of airplane cleaning chemicals through on the job training, this method is frowned upon by the Federal Aviation Administration. This is partially due to the sensitivity of the components of the aircraft.

A preferred method of aircraft cleaning and degreasing products education and training is through structured degree programs. Many airlines hire Aviation Maintenance Technology graduates since those individuals can clean and perform routine maintenance on the aircraft all at once. Consider these suggestions for the training:

1. Know the basic requirements for using airplane washing supplies on each component of the aircraft.

2. Use online courses to improve the methods used to clean the aircraft.

3. Remind employees about the safe use of aircraft degreasers and aircraft cleaning solvents through continuing education.

Action Steps
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Get a solid education that includes the proper uses for aircraft cleaning supplies

Aircraft washing supplies include degreasers, polishers and specialized cleaning equipment. For example, sandblasting cleans certain components of the aircraft. The FAA and OSHA regulate many of these methods. Aircraft maintenance technologist courses provide the training and certification necessary to legally use these methods.

I recommend: South Seattle Community College offers a complete Aviation Maintenance Technology program that includes information on the proper use of aircraft cleaning and degreasing products. Pennsylvania College of Technology has an outlines course plan on its website for becoming an Aviation Maintenance Technologist.

Improve aircraft cleaners techniques through online courses

Online courses and instructions provide suggestions that may improve the techniques used with certain airplane cleaning products. These also provide reminders concerning safety issues of mixing multiple aircraft degreasing products to clean a single component. You may also find techniques for mixing aircraft cleaning methods to provide a more efficient cleaning system.

I recommend: National Business Aviation Association offers an Impact Learning seminar online that includes basic techniques for wet or dry airplane cleaning and degreasing. Safety courses are included in the seminars. Aviation Week offers information concerning the special considerations for cleaning aircraft, including a step by step guide to ensuring the job is done correctly.

Explore continuing education options for aircraft cleaning chemicals

Because the recommendations for keeping aircraft clean are constantly changing, offering continuing education opportunities for your employees is vital to ensuring safe operation of the aircraft. The continuing education program you implement should include printed materials that state safe use instructions for aviation cleaning supplies, as well as seminars to provide technical and hands on instruction. These seminars and printed information also serve as a reminder that anything less than a thorough job cleaning every part of the aircraft is a recipe for disaster.

I recommend: Boeing offers numerous seminars dealing with proper aircraft maintenance. These seminars include instruction on the most up to date aviation cleaning products and methods. Aircraft Technical Book Company offers a four part textbook series that outlines all of the necessary information on caring for the aircraft structural components. This includes the proper use of aircraft cleaning products on each component.

Find the best in aircraft cleaning and degreasing products to clean up and detail out your aircraft. From bug removal to oil to hydraulic fluid grease and more, airplane cleaning products will help keep your craft not only visually clean, but free from harmful contamination items that could compromise the integrity of your plane.

Whether you are looking to degrease, clean or both, there are many aircraft cleaning supplies that can help you swiftly do the job. Chemically formulated to effectively remove and hold off dirt items until you can wipe and rinse them off, aircraft cleaning and degreasing products have been specifically designed for heavy industrial use.

To find and purchase the right aircraft cleaning and degreasing products for you:

1. Determine if your need is for the interior or exterior of your airplane.

2. Determine if you are looking for heavy duty aircraft degreasing products, or if you are simply looking for cleaning products.

3. Make sure that your aircraft cleaning and degreasing products are certified for heavy industrial use and don't pose any threat to your aircraft.

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Look at combination aircraft cleaning and degreasing products

Look at cleaning products that are both aircraft degreasing products as well as airplane cleaning products.

I recommend: Purchase AeroKlean: Concentrated Aircraft Cleaner & Degreaser from NuGeneration Technologies. Its applications include use for removing exhaust, smut and oils, for engine degreasing, road tar removal, white wall cleaning, removal of brake dust and cleaning of dash-boards, plastic, vinyl and carpets. It is also useful on tools and machinery, motors, benches, oil stains, cabinets, concrete floors and tile floors. Consider the use of Mirachem 500 Cleaner/Degreaser for the following aircraft applications: replacing vapor degreasing systems, aircraft airframe, landing gear assemblies, carbon removal from jet and turbine engines, jet fuel nozzles and injectors and auxiliary power units. Look at the degreasing options from Mirandy Products, particularly the Super Vinall Aircraft Exterior Cleaner & Degreaser. Purchase LPS, PROTECT ALL or simple green cleaning and degreasing products from Chief Aircraft.

Buy aircraft degreasing products

Purchase one of the many aircraft degreasing products available for sale.

I recommend: Consider the use of the OzzyJuice Degreasing Solution. Its non-hazardous, non-corrosive and has no flash point. Their SW8 formula is applicable For use on aircraft and weapon components. Check out Hydrasolve aircraft gel degreaser through Top of the Line. You can use it to remove insects, oil, Skydrol, carbon and hydraulic fluid. Purchase Mach #1 Degreaser from Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. Look at the heavy duty degreasers from K-Chem.

Buy aircraft cleaning products

From the interior of an airplane to the outside, check out the variety of aircraft cleaning products available for use.

I recommend: Consider Simple Green’s aircraft cleaning chemicals. They can cut through grease, oil, pollution, dirt, insect residue and impact soils. Another option for airplane cleaning supplies is Pura Exterior Aircraft Solvent. You can use it for the exterior of the plane or wheel wells and exhaust stains. Look at the variety of aviation cleaning products from The Airport Shoppe. Check out additional products from PCI of America, the makers of HURRISAFE products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Consider making aircraft cleaning and degreasing products purchases in bulk for large fleets or cleaning service providers. Aviation cleaning supplies can often be sold in larger gallon containers.

Selecting the right cleaning and degreasing agents for your aircrafts is vital to the safety of your trained staff and your passengers. Knowing the key terms and definitions can help you better understand what you are looking for and/or purchasing to make sure you choose products that do the job right and are compatible with the strict regulations of the industry. Aircraft cleaning and degreasing has its own safety concerns, from flash points to non-conductive. Other factors like pH balance should be considered for high-grade interior items as well. It is important to understand what you will be cleaning off, as well as what forms your cleanser will come in. Knowing the terms and definitions will keep you knowledgeable as you discuss the topics in the field.

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Vapor degreasing

Vapor degreasing uses nonflammable cleaning solutions that boil at a boiling point below that of water, which creates a fog that is applied via condensing, spraying or dipping. When the contamination is dissolved, the vapor rinses the contaminates clean.

I recommend: Find out about solvent vapor degreasing from Products Finishing Magazine. The president of Degreasing Devices also talks about how vapor degreasers work.

Laminar flow, streamline flow

Laminar flow, or streamline flow, is when a fluid flows in parallel layers, but there is no disruption between the layers. In layman's terms laminar flow is characterised as 'smooth,' as opposed to turbulent flow, which is 'rough.'

I recommend: Learn about airplane laminar flow from the Aviation History Online Museum.

pH balance

pH measures the acidity or basicity of a solution. pH balance is particularly important when cleaning delicate items in a plane like leather seats and surfaces.

I recommend: Learn about airplane leather cleaning with Universal Aircraft Cleaning.

Exhaust

Exhaust are the gas wastes that are ejected from airplane engines. Oftentimes, special cleansers or power washing is required to clean off exhaust.

I recommend: Pacific Western Paints sells ELDORADO ED-500, a cleaner that works on exhaust-track film.

Non-conductive

Non-conductive means that your aircraft cleanser or degreaser will not conduct heat or electricity. Non-conductive also describes the exterior of the airplane, so if lightning strikes it, the electricity is dispersed instead of causing damage to the craft.

I recommend: Find out from the Smithsonian Institution how aircrafts are made of non-conductive materials.

Self-emulsifying

Emulsions are two unblendable liquids. A self-emulsifying cleanser forms emulsions when mixed with water.

I recommend: Look at the concentrated self-emulsifying degreasing solvent available from Aircraft Spruce & Specialty.

Aviation cleaning supplies do more than just keep the aircraft looking nice, they also keep it functioning properly and lessen the risk of equipment malfunctions. It is important to remember that you should focus on the effectiveness of each product instead of just the price of the product alone.

When you are planning your budget for supplies to keep your aircraft clean, consider the following aircraft cleaning and degreasing products pricing and costs guidelines:

1. Keep your aircraft looking like new by using top notch aircraft cleaning solvents.

2. Degrease your aircraft using appropriate degreasing products.

3. Ensure safety by keeping your line of sight clean and clear.

Action Steps
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Factor aviation cleaning products into your budget

Keeping the interior and exterior of your aircraft looking nice is essential for safety and aesthetics. The price you pay for these aircraft cleaning chemicals is dependent upon the solvent's use.

I recommend: SkyGeek sells aircraft cleaners, solvents and protectors. Prices start at around $5 for interior aircraft cleaning products. Sporty's Pilot Shop provides various airplane cleaning supplies. Interior wipes are priced under $10 for a box. This company also offers cleaning kits, which are priced from around $75 to $200. Quantity discounts are offered.

Include funds to purchase aircraft degreasing products

Degreasing your aircraft will not only make your aircraft look nice, it also makes your aircraft safer. When elements are left on the exterior of your aircraft, it will eat away at the coatings and metal, which is a safety hazard. The price you pay for degreasers depends on the substances that you need to remove from your aircraft, as well as the strength of the degreaser.

I recommend: Aero Cosmetics sells aircraft degreasing products and other cleaning products. For a six-gallon case of aircraft degreasers, you can expect to pay around $150; however, this company does sell in smaller quantities, including a 34 ounce bottle for around $10. Sky Supply offers a full line of airplane cleaning products. You will pay around $20 for Carbon X, $15 for Belly Wash or $10 for SafeSolv.

Include aviation cleaning products for glass in your budget

Keeping the glass, plastic and Plexiglas in your airplane clean is vital to keep you and your passengers safe. A speck on one of the controls can cause you to read the controller in error, while windshield glass that isn't clear may lead to error.

I recommend: MyPilotStore.com sells aircraft cleaning supplies, including glass cleaners, which are priced from just over $5 to around $15. You can find a varied assortment of aviation cleaning supplies at Aircraft Spruce and Specialty. Glass cleaner from this company starts at under $5, while plastic and Plexiglas cleaners start at around $10.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Aircraft cleaning and degreasing products have numerous uses that aren't limited to aircraft only. Car detail shops and industrial companies can benefit from these cost effective and time saving products.