It’s an excellent document for reference. You can make it even worse by using some household cleaners.įor more information on all forms of corrosion see the FAA’s AC 43-4A on corrosion control. There probably isn’t much you or the pros can do for the spent paint surface on the Cessna in this photo. The release of atomic hydrogen is a cathodic product of many chemical reactions, and can come from some alkaline cleaners, without chemical buffers. Hydrogen embrittlement is an environmentally induced failure process, and high strength, highly stressed aluminum or steel alloys are particularly susceptible to this process. This is especially the case in aluminum and magnesium alloys. The Wrong Cleanersīefore raiding your spouse’s kitchen cleaning cabinet, consider that common household alkaline type cleaners can be particularly harmful when it comes to accelerating corrosion. Sump the tanks especially well after washing. ![]() If you’ve been neglecting the fuel cap seals, an aggressive washing will send water into the fuel tanks. The risk here is washing away lubricant from greased fittings. You’ll also want to avoid spraying control cables and pulleys-easy areas to inadvertently blast with the hose. It says to cover up the brakes and disks with plastic wrap, use caution around the trim tab piano hinges and attaching hardware and to avoid using pressure washers directly on the airframe. But there are other systems worth protecting and the aircraft’s operating manual might offer some guidance.įor instance, the Beech Bonanza manual has several pages dedicated to washing considerations. Worse is dealing with the results of frozen static lines when you’re airborne. We’ve witnessed FBO line workers blasting water directly at static ports during wash jobs, and the resulting expensive static system work that often follows. It can also blast soapy water into lap joints-a setup for corrosion.Įven if you use spigot pressure from a plain-vanilla garden hose, you need to be extremely careful where you point the nozzle. Ever see the damage a washer can do to pressure-treated deck wood? The same water pressure can easily dent aluminum aircraft skin. Know what power tools and household cleaning products should stay at home. Many only allow washing in dedicated wash areas in respect for environmental considerations. ![]() Plan The Jobīefore committing to an entire weekend spent in the hangar (that’s how long it can easily take to get the job done), you should be aware of the regulations at your airport. Like any other job you might tackle yourself, there’s a right and wrong approach to cleaning the aircraft. That’s why it’s important to preserve the paint finish early with regular cleaning and polishing.įar from a mindless chore, there’s more to do-it-yourself cleaning jobs than you might think, including protecting expensive accessories like antennas, de-ice boots and propellers. A coat of polish makes it easy to maintain.Įven the best professional aircraft detailers or products won’t be able to resurrect some neglected paint finishes. It’s crummy work, but keeping the belly clean of blowby oil and grease preserves the life and performance of antennas.
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