[Pilots] Follow-up to Aircraft Cleaning Supplies

[mnwingops at gmail.com]

Hello CCs/Dos

 

Thank you for the all the feedback and good questions regarding the approved
cleaning solutions for our aircraft.  All powered aircraft in Minnesota Wing
currently are Textron (Cessna).  There will be a follow-up email regarding
the required Aircraft Wash, so please take this time to order the necessary
products to clean the aircraft IAW the below instruction provide by
CAP-National and per the Textron (Cessna) POH.

 

 

Textron does not have a list of approved cleaners for our aircraft.  Their
instructions come out of the aircraft maintenance manual and the POH and
they state to use "water and mild soap, followed by a rinse with water and
drying with cloths or a chamois. Harsh or abrasive soaps or detergents which
cause corrosion or scratches should never be used. Remove stubborn oil and
grease with a cloth moistened with Stoddard solvent. Take special care to
make sure that the exterior graphics are not touched by the solvent."

 

The maintenance manual and the POH go on to say "To seal any minor surface
chips or scratches and protect against corrosion, the airplane should be
waxed regularly with a good automotive wax applied in accordance with the
manufacturer's instructions. If the airplane is operated in a seacoast or
other saltwater environment, it must be washed and waxed more frequently to
assure adequate protection. Special care should be taken to seal around
rivet heads and skin laps, which are the areas most susceptible to
corrosion. A heavier coating of wax on the leading edges of the wings and
tail and on the cowl nose cap and  propeller spinner will help reduce the
abrasion encountered in these areas. Reapplication of wax will generally be
necessary after cleaning with soap solution or after chemical deicing
operations."

 

So basically, mild soap and water is the approved cleaning solution and use
Stoddard solvent to remove stubborn oil and grease.  Please let me know if
you have any questions.

 

Our MNWG Aircraft Maintenance Contractor and AMO recommend Dawn dish soap
and any car wash soap also is mild but works well. 

 

Thank you for you attention and input into this discussion.

 

Fly Safe.

 

-Patrick

 

Maj. Patrick M. Wolfgram

Minnesota Wing Director of Operations

Civil Air Patrol, U.S. Air Force Auxiliary

(M)  <tel:763.656.7647> 763.656.7647

 <https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/> GoCivilAirPatrol.com

 <https://www.gocivilairpatrol.com/> 

Volunteers serving America's communities, saving lives, and shaping futures.

 

 

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