Cleaning engine on plane
 

What's the best way to clean your engine on the plane? And i'm just talking about everyday fuel and dirt, not the baked on stuff. I use windex to clean the plane off but how do you clean the engine? It has all those small nook and crannies. Is there something you can spray on and let dry?

skeeter

RE: Cleaning engine on plane
 

Automotive brake cleaner. It cleans the engine pretty well and dries quickly.

RE: Cleaning engine on plane
 

I love that stuff and use it all the time at work. I was afraid that it might cause problems with the monokote.

skeeter

RE: Cleaning engine on plane
 

I dont know if brake cleaner will hurt monokote(probly aint good),but I've heard the windex will because of the ammonia in it. I've heard you should stay away from cleaning products with ammonia in them. 409 brand cleaner seems pretty common. I've also heard some 409 DOES have ammonia,so check the bottle. Maybe others can help more on this topic.

RE: Cleaning engine on plane
 

Actually now that you mention it I have had it cause light spots on some colors. What I try to do is hold the plane nose-down and avoid trying to get it on the covering. Use it sparingly of course since it could attack glue joints and stuff over time. Not saying it will, just best to be safe. I also don't do it often. Maybe once a year or so.

A little degreaser like Simple Green and compressed air will work too.

RE: Cleaning engine on plane
 

I like to use a 50-50% mix of denatured alcohol and water in a spray bottle for cleaning, it cuts the greasy fuel residue and drys fast, doesn't seem to bother plastic covering at all.

I try not to get any in the carb, but I do spray it on the engine with the throttle shut it gets all the surface oil off I wipe the plane and engine off with a couple of paper towels, the plane and engine is nice and clean.

RE: Cleaning engine on plane
 

Spray the cleaner on a toothbrush and then clean the engine (with the model nose down or held so that the drips off the engine don't fall onto or into the model). Wipe up with a paper towel or, better still, a cotton rag.

I usually use 91% isopropyl alcohol. If you use a carb, crud or brake cleaner be very careful of the Monokote or whatever covering. I'm not sure but some of those may attack glues and epoxy, too.