Looking for aircraft cleaning tips? Look no further than here; and if you still have questions, feel free to contact us 24/7/365!
Brightwork
Leading edges of aircraft withstand the full onslaught of the elements. It is very important, therefore, to give brightwork specialized treatment. Polishing brightwork not only reduces corrosion, it also enhances the appearance of the aircraft. Frequency of this service depends on frequency and conditions of flight, but the mirror-reflective finish of your brightwork will make your aircraft look new. We utilize a multi-step process to polish the brightwork, depending on the oxidation level. We then recommend sealing the brightwork with Xzilon to help protect it longer from corrosion and the elements.
Paint
After a few years, aircraft paint often starts to become oxidized and dull. Machine buffing returns high gloss to the paint. Soaps and degreasers often cause stripping of the paint, and can dull it out even more quickly. Machine buffing with a high quality polish, followed by an application of Xzilon sealant, restores the paint to like-new condition. It also helps protect from corrosion, causes less parasitic drag (fuel savings!), and makes it much easier to maintain for future cleanings.
Carpet
Standard carpet cleaning includes vacuuming and spot cleaning. Carpet extraction goes a step beyond, using steam cleaning to bring the original texture and appearance back to the carpet. We utilize only approved chemicals and water temperatures to ensure that the carpet is treated without shrinking or discoloration. Different types of stains require different methods of cleaning and chemicals, due to pH levels of the stain. We take great care to make your carpet look as new as possible, every time.
Leather
It is imperative to utilize proper cleaning methods and chemicals on aircraft leather, or else the topcoat that seals in the dye can wear off. When this happens, dye is transferred to cleaning materials and clothes, and the seat will become discolored and sticky. Once leather is cleaned with manufacturer approved chemicals and special towels and brushes, it must be conditioned to keep it soft and supple. It is also a common occurrence to get ink marks, gum, and other stains on the leather. There are certain processes that work, and are safe, to correct these issues. Properly maintained leather should last for years and years without losing its color and feel.
Suggestions for detailing throughout the year:
WINTER
Simply put, winter is one of the most difficult times of year for your aircraft. This is especially true if you’re not lucky enough to migrate south to escape the snow and rain many regions are struck with this time of year.
It’s important to realize that during winter, your aircraft encounters challenges that are unique to this season. The most prevalent being De-icing Fluids that cake and (subsequently) bake on all surfaces of your aircraft causing orange and green streaks on your aircraft’s paint. Not to be outdone however runway anti-icing chemicals, slush, and even snow leave impurities on and in your aircraft that can wreak havoc on even the best kept ones.
The best way to combat the troubles of winter begins with preparation before and proper attention during the season.
This starts with ensuring your aircraft is up to date with its paint sealant. If your summer and fall flight schedule was too busy to get this done, this is the time to do it! Waiting longer will further expose your aircraft’s paint to harsh chemicals that in the end will bake on during flight. This is especially prevalent if your flight takes you from a frosty city to a beautiful winter escape.
By simply having your paint sealant up to date, these effects of the winter on your aircraft’s paint can be minimized until there’s time to wash them off. It’s important to remember however that just because you have a sealant, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still schedule a monthly exterior cleaning to wash off those chemicals. Doing so will ensure you maximize the lifetime of your sealant and keep your aircraft looking great.
Once the exterior of your aircraft is taken care of, don’t forget the interior of since it will have to endure wet and dirty shoes from passengers and crew members alike. To gain complete aircraft protection, schedule your interior cleanings and carpet extractions alongside your monthly exterior cleanings to ensure aircraft downtime is minimized!
This is just the start of protecting your aircraft from the harsh winter season; however, by just utilizing the above tips and the ones found in our blog, you’re well on your way to ensuring you keep Mother Nature where she belongs!
SPRING
Now that your aircraft has survived the rigors of winter, you can begin to revive the look of your aircraft’s interior and exterior.
If the first signs of spring mean a return to the skies for you and your aircraft, this is a great time to dust off the hanger and get your plane looking beautiful again.
If you’ve been flying all winter, the interior of your aircraft may be begging for a carpet extraction to remove any salts or other chemicals that have accumulated. This is also a great time to go through all your storage areas to clean beneath items and remove ones that are no longer needed. Lastly, this is a great time to deep clean your leather seating if you have it to get them ready for the busy season ahead.
On the exterior of your aircraft, this is the best time to revive the look of your bright work since it took a beating during the winter. By simply maintaining your bright work, you will ensure you remove and even prevent corrosion caused by acid rains that falls during the time of year. In addition, your leading edges will be prepared to glisten when those first rays of sun burst out of the cloud cover!
SUMMER
Summer brings about the very best weather of the year, but also brings along harmful sunrays and salt waters that can damage your aircraft’s exterior and interior.
Another issue with summer if that since weather is nicer, many owners typically leave their aircraft sitting outdoors under the sunlight for extended periods of time. While letting your aircraft get a nice tan is perfectly acceptable; sunrays can actually fade your paint over time costing you money in replacement years down the road. To prevent this fading, start with getting a paint polish done.
This alone will help provide superior protection from the elements and pollutants in the air while keeping your aircraft’s surface luminescent and clean not just during the summer, but year around since typically you only need one treatment per year.
For the interior of your aircraft, be sure to keep your leather seating clean and protected from sunlight as much as possible by closing window shades if your aircraft sits outdoors. Not only will closing your window shades prevent your leather from fading, you can even save fuel costs by keeping your aircraft cooler.
Take a look at our Blog post to learn how closing your window shades can save you money!
By doing the above you can ensure that no matter how busy your flight schedule is your aircraft will remain looking great all season long!
FALL
Fall starts the busy season for business travelers and also means that summer light is slowly being replaced with cold nights and expanded upper level icing. This is the best time to strip and reseal your deice boots for maximum protection and curb appeal for the upcoming winter months.
This is also a great time to develop a frequent cleaning schedule for your aircraft to ensure you’re prepared for the winter season and ensure you’re aircraft is not neglected.
And if the fall represents your last flights of the year; be sure you have one final cleaning before winter storage to ensure any of the prior year’s flights are removed before hibernation so your aircraft is ready to return to the skies when you are!