Cleaning an aircraft and keeping it clean are extremely important. A cracked landing gear fitting covered with mud and grease may be easily overlooked. Dirt can hide cracks in the skin. Dust and grit cause hinge fittings to wear excessively. A film of dirt if left on the aircraft's outer surface, reduces flying speed and adds extra weight. Dirt or trash blowing or bouncing around the inside of the aircraft is annoying and dangerous. Small pieces of dirt blown into the eyes of the pilot at a critical moment can cause an accident. A coating of dirt and grease on moving parts makes a sort of grinding compound that can cause excessive wear. Salt water has a serious corroding effect on exposed metal parts of the aircraft, and should be washed off immediately.

There are many different kinds of cleaning agents approved for use in cleaning aircraft. It is impractical to cover each of the various types of cleaning agents since their use varies under different conditions, such as the type of material to be removed, the aircraft finish, and whether the cleaning is internal or external.

In general, the types of cleaning agents used on aircraft are solvents, emulsion cleaners, soaps, and synthetic detergents. Their use must be in accordance with the applicable maintenance manual. The types of cleaning agents named above are also classed as light or heavy duty cleaners. The soap and synthetic detergent type cleaners are used for light duty cleaning, while the solvent and emulsion type cleaners are used for heavy duty cleaning. The light duty cleaners, which are nontoxic and nonflammable, should be used whenever possible.

Exterior Cleaning

There are three methods of cleaning the aircraft exterior: (1) Wet wash, (2) dry wash, and (3) polishing. Polishing can be further broken down into hand polishing and mechanical polishing. The type and extent of soiling and the final desired appearance determine the cleaning method to be used.

Wet wash removes oil, grease, or carbon deposits and most soils, with the exception of corrosion and oxide films. The cleaning compounds used are usually applied by spray or mop, after which high pressure running water is used as a rinse. Either alkaline or emulsion cleaners can be used in the wet wash method.

Dry wash is used to remove airport film, dust, and small accumulations of dirt and soil when the use of liquids is neither desirable nor practical. This method is not suitable for removing heavy deposits of carbon, grease, or oil, especially in the engine exhaust areas. Dry wash materials are applied with spray, mops, or cloths, and removed by dry mopping or wiping with clean, dry cloths.

Polishing restores the luster to painted and unpainted surfaces of the airplane, and is usually performed after the surfaces have been cleaned. Polishing is also used to remove oxidation and corrosion. Polishing materials are available in various forms and degrees of abrasiveness. It is important that the aircraft manufacturer's instructions be used in specific applications.

The washing of aircraft should be performed in the shade whenever possible as cleaning compounds tend to streak the surface if applied to hot metal, or permitted to dry on the area. Install covers over all openings where water or cleaners might enter and cause damage.

Various areas of aircraft, such as the sections housing radar and the area forward of the cockpit that are finished with a dull paint, should not be cleaned more than necessary and should never be scrubbed with stiff brushes or coarse rags. A soft sponge or cheesecloth with a minimum of manual rubbing is advisable. Any oil or exhaust stains on the surface should first be removed with a solvent such as kerosene or other petroleum base solvent. The surfaces should be rinsed immediately after cleaning to prevent the compound from drying on the surface.

Before applying soap and water to plastic surfaces, flush the plastic surfaces with fresh water to dissolve salt deposits and wash away dust particles. Plastic surfaces should be washed with soap and water, preferably by hand.

Rinse with fresh water and dry with chamois or absorbent cotton. In view of the soft surface, do not rub plastic with a dry cloth since this is not only likely to cause scratches, but it also builds up an electrostatic charge which attracts dust particles to the surface. The charge as well as the dust may be removed by patting or gently blotting with a clean, damp chamois. Do not use scouring powder or other material which can mar the finish. Remove oil and grease by rubbing gently with a cloth wet with soap and water. Do not use acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, lacquer thinners, window cleaning sprays, gasoline, fire extinguisher or deicer fluid on plastics because they soften the plastic and cause crazing.

Surface oil, hydraulic fluid, grease, or fuel can be removed from aircraft tires by washing with a mild soap solution.

After cleaning, lubricate all grease fittings, hinges, etc., where removal, contamination, or dilution of the grease is suspected during washing of the aircraft.