Hey, I was wondering what all you guys use to clean the oil off of the extierior of your planes after flight? Thanks

Check out this thread. It should answer most of your ??'s.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_16...tm.htm#1653674

409

rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, works wonders

Simple Green!

Jerry

I use a mixture of dish waasher liquid, water, and methalated(Typo in there?[&:]) spirits,

works good enough on my trainer

Zimbo

I use Mr Muscle all purpose orange cleaner. Works a treat and I use castor based fuel!

You guys clean your planes???

You need to buy a 4-stroke!

LOL Minn! I have one plane using a 4 Stroke and one using a 2 Stroke. Both require some cleaning, btu I agree the 2 stroke is way messier. I also find it harder to route the exhaust from the 2 stroke pitts muffler to keep it off the plane. The 4 stroke muffler setup seems to make it easier. I reiterate my previous post however, rubbing alcohol form the drug store, in a spray bottle, cuts the oil right off the plane. And, excess evaporates leaving the plane clean and dry.

I user orange cleaner in a spray bottle from the local Auto parts store... works really well, doen't just push the gunk around, actually breaks it down and picks it up..

I just started using Orange Blast from greased lightning. It works really well and dries quickly.

A second on the 409. Or sometimes I useFantastic or whatever I can get on sale in this vein.

Mark Shuman

I use a sand-blaster

windex baby!! lol

~Matt

Aye! WINDEX!!!!

Baby wipes...works like a charm. And it's gentle on your planes backside (tail feathers)!

washing up liquid.

I use Denatured Alcohol. It cleans the oil off completely, and does not damage my covering or decals. It also dries extremely quick.

Denatured alcohol from Lowes, or Home Depot works as well, and it's *dryer*. Rubbing alcohol usually has about 30% water. There are only traces of water in the denatured alcohol. This is mostly ethanol, the same stuff that is in beer, wine, and whiskey. they add about 10% methanol to *poison* it. Otherwise the stuff can get expensive due to the liquor tax. DON'T DRINK THE STUFF.

I bought some denatured alcohol from a local hardware store and used it to clean my 4*60. I was careful to try it out on a small area first. I'm glad I did, because it left permanent streaks in the covering (I thinks it's Oracote). I called the company that makes it, and they said they add "additional denaturing agents" other than the methanol. He said they represent a very small percentage. I asked him if I could store it in a plastic spray bottle and explained how I intended to use it. He advised against storing it in a plastic bottle over time, as it would attack the plastic.

I read the can carefully, and it didn't say anything about additional denaturing agents, stating only that it contained ethanol and about 4% methanol. Dreadnaut: Firstly, did your denatured alcohol come in a can and did it also say: "Denatured Alcohol Solvent". Maybe the word, "solvent" is the kicker. Have you been able to store yours in a plastic bottle?

As for Windex, this is what my 4*60 instructions said to use to apply the decals. It seems like it might loosen up the adhesive if used over time. Don't know for sure since I haven't tried it.

For now, I'm staying with Isopropyl.

I have never had trouble with de-natured ethanol. But then, I have never used Oracote either. The stuff I use comes from HomeDepot and is labled S-L-X De-Natured Alcohol. I have no idea what the S-L-X stands for, but it works. I start by wiping most of the goo off the plane with a dry rag after each flight. Then I wipe it with a rag wetted with DNA as I tear it down to go home.

Another reason I like the stuff is that I mold epoxy-fiberglass parts, and it is the best thing for cleaning that mess.

As for decals, I use plain water and it works. The purpose is to let you *float* the decal around to get it positioned. I have never used any thing but water for this. I know that a lot of people use Windex, but I am wary of it. I'm not sure that the chemicals in Windex will not weaken the adhesive.

This is what I discovered about denatured alcohol so far:

"There are many forms of denatured alcohol. In addition to alcohol (methyl, ethyl, and/or isopropyl), some contain (for example) ethyl acetate; some contain methyl ethyl ketone. The ethanol/methanol mix may be appropriate; these others may not be. "

The stuff I got from these guys doesn't work:
[link=http://www.sunnysidecorp.com/black.htm]Sunnyside Corporation[/link]

It appears that the S-L-X that you use is denatured exclusively with methanol without the ethyl acetate and/or methyl ethyl ketone. The latter is known to attack plastic.

A commercial cleanner made by zep called purple,best damm cleaner i have used and i've tried most of the above except alcohol.Mixed at household strength and it really works,even iin the rain.

What covering have you tried the "purple" on? Thanks.

I tried it on the Alpha 60 trainer which has the Ultracoat, along with other products like dish soap ,409,other concoctions the wife uses around the house except alcohol,it seems to work well and gets the plane clean,just follow the instructions for general household use.I guess it seems everybody has picked something for there own use,whatever works is best i think.