How to Wash an Airplane

Airplanes attract dust, oil, exhaust stains and large numbers of bugs. These can accumulate and affect an airplane's flight performance. You can enhance an airplane's efficiency by washing it with a power washer to break down and remove any dirt buildup that may occur.

Instructions

    • 1

      Begin washing the airplane at the tail end. If you can't reach this area, don't climb up on a ladder. The pressure from your washer can knock you off of the ladder and cause injury. Most pressure washers have extension parts to enable you to get to hard-to-reach areas on the airplane.

    • 2

      Move slowly toward the nose of the airplane as you clean. Power wash small sections of the airplane at a time, and wash the bottom first, then the top. Move the rudder and the flaps on the airplane as you wash to ensure that you clean all the parts.

    • 3

      Avoid power washing any windows on the airplane because they can scratch easily. Use a window cleaner instead. Check with the pilot to see if he wants to wash the windshield himself.

    • 4

      Use a lot of soap around the engines to clean away the exhaust residue. Be sure to wash the underside of the wings, and remember to clean the wheels. You can use a brush to scrub the wheels thoroughly and leave the soap on for a few minutes before rinsing to break down the dirt better.

Related Searches:

Resources

Comments

  • jayscorner Oct 23, 2009
    Be very, very careful about using a pressure/power washer to clean ANY aircraft. They can do a LOT of damage, and generally speaking are not the accepted method for cleaning aircraft.

You May Also Like

  • How to Clean an Airplane

    Washing an airplane involves some similar procedures and materials you use to wash your car. However because an airplane is designed for...

  • How to Start an Aircraft Interior Cleaning Company

    The world of private aircraft is one of luxury and a lot of behind-the-scenes work. Before starting your own company cleaning private...

  • How to Clean Airplane Parts

    Maintaining your aircraft mechanically and aesthetically will help retain its value and safety. Cleaning the aircraft is essential to prevent corrosion that...

  • How to Make a Paper Airplane

    It's pretty safe to say we've all tried to make paper airplanes at some point in our lives. There's just something fascinating...

  • How to Become an Airplane Mechanic

    When an aircraft is flying thousands of feet above the ground, you can’t just pull over to the side of the road...

  • How to Clean Antique Wood Planes

    Antique wood planes have survived many years of hard labor as woodworking tools, so give them a break when you clean them....

  • How to Paint Model Airplanes

    Painting is an important part of completing each model airplane project. The complexity and detail of each project will vary with the...

  • How to Maintain Aircraft Canopies

    Prepare a washing mixture in a bucket. Follow the manufacturer's mixing recommendations. Make a very foamy mix if you use dish washing...

  • Airplane Mechanic Salary

    Airplane mechanics test, diagnose and repair problems and faulty parts in private and commercial aircraft. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that...

  • How to Clean Private Jets or Airplanes

    A clean cockpit and passenger cabin contributes to a safe flight operation and passenger comfort. The properly cleaned aircraft interior also helps...

  • How to Clean the Inside of a Private Charter Jet

    The type of cleaning that private jets require will be determined by the request of the customer. The most popular types of...

  • How to Clean Aircraft Spark Plugs

    Aircraft are, by nature, far more maintenance-dependent than automobiles. Whereas an automobile breakdown might prove inconvenient or costly, when a pilot's ride...

  • RC Airplane Laws

    Flying an R/C (radio controlled) airplane can be a lot of fun, but it's also important to note that there are laws...

  • How to Identify a Stanley Plane

    Stanley planes are the woodworker's standard for planes--tools that remove wood from larger pieces in precise chips or thin wooden shaves. Stanley...

  • How to Make Beer Can Airplanes & Hats

    Impress your fraternity brothers and local environmental groups by repurposing beer cans into model airplanes and fashionable accessories. A beer can hat...

  • How to Airbrush a Model Aircraft

    Model aircraft building is a hobby enjoyed the world over. Many hobbyists enjoy recreating their favorite aircraft, painstakingly piecing together accurate scale...

Related Ads

Featured