What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

What mixture do you use to wash your glow plane at the end of a flying day ?

I use a mixture of denatured alcohol (about 30%), water (about 70%) and a few drops of liquid soap (dishwashing soap).
But someone at the field told me that the alcohol tended to unseal the monokote covering.

What do you think about that ?

Thanks for the inputs.

-Paul<br type="_moz" />

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

Covering glues shouldn't be vulnerable to alcohol's since Methanol is the largest component of most glow fuel mixes. Maybe some of the Chinese WrinkleKote junk on ARF's is vulnerable, but actual TopFlite Monocote isn't. I've used 99% pure Methanol straight out of a 5gal pail of the stuff when someone gives me a crash to repair and not had any issues even when flooding the surface pretty good with it.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

This is another one of those questions that you'll get a hundred different opinions about, and nobody is wrong, we just use what works for each of us. I use windshield washer fluid with a squirt of dishwashing soap in it. It's cheap, it works, and I don't think it loosens Moneycote. ;)

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

it's not alchol that loosens the glue on monokote it's amonia...amonia that you'll find in glass cleaners

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

Airplane Cleaner



Mix into a gallon jug -

* 10 cups water
* 2 cup denatured alcohol
* 1 cup ammonia
* 1/4 cup of favorite dish soap.

Pour into your spray bottle and use on your airplane as you normally would.


Doesn't leave streaks and it can be used on fabric. One swipe and the oil is gone. It doesn't hurt the the glues that all heat shink coverings have. I made 2 gallons of it and swear by it because it is that good.

And because I'm a good hearted man, I give the recipe out to whom ever wants it. Just go to your local hardware store and they will have all the ingredients you need.




Ammonia breaking down the glues of Mono and or Ultra on a aircraft is a myth. I've used regular Windex for years without ever having a problem. People has been using it since the 70's and probably before that. But when I started to use the recipe I just shared, I never looked back.


Pete

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

I use plain Windex or equivalent, and paper towels. Been doing it for over 35 years.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

It is the ammonia in the mix that can loosen up Mono, it has no effect on Ultra. I just buy a bottle of cleaner at the dollar store and jack it up with some alcohol. If I have it on hand a few drops of dish washing detergent.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

I just use rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

I use one we call "Jim Quinn's Cleaner" in honor of the originator:


5 cups water
1 cup alcohol (91% isopropyl or stove alcohol)
1/2 cup household ammonia
2 tsp detergent (Dawn)

I carry a little two ounce spray bottle in my flight box (a recycled CA accelerator bottle) that I refill from a two liter plastic bottle.

Works on glow fuel residue or gas &amp; oil.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

I used 409 for years until I saw someone using windex at my field. It cuts the oil right away, where the 409 took a little longer, but finally got it done. So far, I've been cleaning my airplanes for 6 years with windex and the covering has been spectacular on them ever since.

Jason

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

It's usually just the trim that gets lifted. Even when I use mono for trim colors I have no problems. I use windex to put it on with then the next day I go around the edges with a trim iron on high about 1/4 inch around the outside. Nothing removes it. I have seen others with a lifting problem using windex though.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

Simple Green and water mixed equal parts. Works great and smells good too. ;)

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

When I clean a model after a season or when I work on it (like no, converting a Giant stick to electric) what I use at home is Mr. Clean diluted 50% in hot water. It leaves the monocote shining like new. Never had a problem. In the past, at the field I used Windex straight from the spray bottle. Now, since I gave up slimers, with gas an electrics, cleaning is not a real issue. Electrics just get dusted. Passers get cleaned at home (also w/Windex).



Gerry

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

Simple Green. Used to use 409.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

I just use rubbing alcohol(never really been satisfied with the results though) but I think I will try some simple green now I never even thought of using that

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

I just use a dry paper towel.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

'Awesome', found at Dollar General. .99 a bottle think. Best stuff ever. Works better than stuff I have used costing much more, and I have used about everything over the last 40+ years.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

Thank you Grey Beard, now I know why the trim is coming off my four star. all this time I thought it was due to its age. Once again your knowledge has proved to be priceless!:)

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

I use a feather duster, but then mine are E-Powered. :)

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

After you have used what ever snake oil of choice or even just wiper her down with a rag. Spray her down with Lemon Pledge (or the store brand equivelent silicon furniture polish) then lightly buff with a clean rag.

You will have discovered a shiny new airplane at for the outing to the field next time. absolutely will not loosen film covering. Hmm its also ideal for full scale canopies and windsheilds, works better than the traditional packaged product for aircraft window cleaning.

John

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

I've used different types of wet wipes.<div>The one's designed for babies bottoms work a treat.</div>

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

Water, isopropyl alcohol, amonia and some liquid soap.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

i use greased lightning cleaner avail at k-mart ...wall- mart stores. also spray nine is very good if you can find it.........RON

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

I tried the wet wipes and they also work great, they even work great for hand cleaning.
John, I store my planes in my shop where I build, I usually have to clean them before I fire them up or I end up with mud instead of just dust. When I pulled a plane out of the van the guys just informed me it isn't dust, it's UV ray protector.

RE: What mixture do you use to clean your plane ?
 

Used to use 409 back in the day. Switched to a mixture of water and dish soap. Then I discovered Sprayway glass cleaner. It comes out foamy, cleans great and no covering comes unglued.