I just started and wonder what to use to clean the surface of my Alpha 60 with.
What do you use to remove the oil film left from the exaust and not hurt the finish?

I use baby wipes I dont know if thats wrong, but Ive never had a problem with it. They are easy to take along to the field, and since I have two kids theres an endless supply of them at my house.

I just ordered the alpha 60 yesterday. Do you like yours? I have the 40 and love it.
Do the wings rubberband or bolt on? Does it have the wire gear or aluminum? I have seen pictures of it with both kinds.
I got a great deal on it and could'nt pass it up.

I haven't flown yet
Here in IL the weather hasn't been very newbie friendly
I have run the engine in (even though it's suppose to be done when you buy it)
It went together easy but I have had to make a few minor adjustments.
Engine throttle (would not shut off) and ailerons (out of alignment)
It started right up and am waiting for my instructor to take me out.
Just flying sims for now but I think it's a good choice.

Hi northriver,i downloaded the manual for my 60 and the wing shows you can do it either with rubberbands or screws,it takes two screws,one for each side of the wing.
I tried to pm you but you have it turned off,hope you got a good deal on it,i also ordered an extra prop just in case.

Forgot to answer the rest of your question.
The wings are bolt on ( you can rubber band if you want)
The landing gear is alum. and solid as a rock.

One of the best thing I have found for cleaning a plane is the orange-cleaner wipes. They come in a variety of brands, but they all work basically the same. Most of the time I am too cheap to get the wipes, so I just use windex or something like it.

Cool, I cant wait to fly it. for some reason I cant download the file to see the parts explosion on horizon's site or else I wouldnt have asked.

5spot I checked my settings and PM is enabled I dont know what happened.

Guys, I found this one in horizons attic for 311.99 with minor box damage. I asked repeatedly if there was any damage to the contents. they said no it was all checked out by a technician or they could'nt sell it. They also said it would have all of the warrenty's. I sold my other plane (see my other threads) and bought this one. I have had such good luck with the alpha 40 that I wanted to try its big brother, also I think that Evolution 61 will see some use after the plane is gone

Yeah... i use generic windex and rag to clean the plane but am careful not to get it on the engine...

What happens if you get windex on an engine? I have also used windex and any other grease cutting spray that my wife has in the cabinet.
Am I heading for trouble?

I use the orange oil cleaner too. Windex just doesn't cut the oil too well. I thought about trying greased lightning but was afraid it would eat through the monokote.

I use windshield washer fluid with a good squirt of dishwashing soap added. The soap helps cut the grease. Works well for me and washer fluid is about a dollar a gallon.[8D]

Remember to bring paper towels with you to the field.

Windex and paper towels.

not sure about what happens with windex and cast metal parts... i would assume nothing as well... just what my flying buddies tell me. why don't you try and let me know :-)

forestroke; some household cleaners will dull the finish on metal, especially aluminum. so be carefull using cleaners on your engines or other metal parts. I have been using windex wipes to clean my plane, they come in a small pouch that fits very easily in my flight box.

I will send you the file if you want,just let me know.

* flying it the worlds best past time *

baby wipes,some makes are better than others,i have found pampers wipes to be very good.

I use 50% Denatured Alcohol, 50% water, and add 1 tbs of dishwashing liquid. It works great for me.

You guys are working too hard. Just leave the plane in the bed of the truck and go through the car wash!!!!!!

Clean airplanes? That's what students are for....

Andy

I know that anything with ammonia will attack aluminum.
All of these sound good
I wiped the oil off with one of those orange based cleaners and it cut the grease but left a film
I used an alcohol based window cleaner and it shines like a new penny.
I like the idea about using a truck in the car wash but I'd have to buy a truck
This way is cheaper

I know that this is kinda expensive, but I have just started using Coleman Lantern Fuel.....WORKS GREAT...........INCREDIBLE....Originally I started to use the good ol handy Windex or some kind of window cleaner with some paper towels.....Bt then I found that the paper towels would make very small scratches, and I didn't like that; plus, the windex will not cut the grease/fuel residue...!!......Well anyways......the most recent time that I just crashed my plane.......I was cleaning it and my dad suggested using that fuel and it does GREAT......VERY GREAT......I am thinking of mixing that fuel with some alchol, water, and then some 409....THAT WILL WORK EVEN BETTER than anything that I've found.....Haven't used it yet...but I'm sure that it will work fine.....


P.S. I wouldn't use that fuel on a regular basis....IT"S EXPENSIVE like I said....

Hope you or your dad don't smoke when your cleaning.

That was good.....that was exactly what he was saying today when we were repairing my Superstar and cleaning it at the same time......and he just said....."Well don't smoke when you're doing this" (even though I don't smokeNEVER HAVE AND NEVER WILL[8D])

Your a better man than I!

I hate the thought of smoking knowing that I will and might die 6-7 years earlier.....