Aircraft Detailing

foxbrookdtl

New member
Hello all, I have a client that has asked us to detail his small aircraft. We have not done this before and I wanted help to prepare.

What chemicals are best to use for washing, polishing, treating the boots, landing hear, windows and interior?
Also, how often should we suggest polishing/sealing the painted surfaces?
What kind of pricing should we quote since insurance is higher for aircraft.
from small two passenger planes like CESSNA to Learjet.

Any help would be appreciated.
 
I'd just be honest with him. If he asks just tell him you don't have a lot of experience with planes which is why you are giving him a reasonable deal, but you will do your best just like you would on someones car. Because if you lead him on to believe that you are a professional "plane detailer" he will eventually find out that you are full of crap and that will start you off on the wrong foot with this guy. If he asks about how often he needs to polish just tell him how long the polish lasts. Planes are built like tanks and are made to withstand extreme temperatures, I would use the same chemicals you would use normally on a car. Guesstimate how long it's going to take you to clean, you are taking a shot in the dark with this being your first one. Look at other detailers prices on planes and go from there. Some people charge by the foot, which I think is a great way to judge it. Good luck
 
Are you familiar with pitot tubes and static ports? If not, you need to tape up static ports while polishing because you don't want buildup in there. Please don't forget to remove the tape when you are finished. As for the pitot tubes, make sure you hang a long, bright marker from them so that you don't bump and break them. When cleaning the "glass" make sure you clean in the direction of airflow and DO NOT GO IN CIRCLES. I can't stress this enough because if you create circular swirls you have just created a nightmare for the pilot, possibly leading to death of all on board. Don't degrease the landing gear at all. Try to avoid using silicone based products. For the de-ice boots you should use PBS De-Ice Boot System. It is expensive but is said to be the best.

Does the plane sit out on the ramp or spend its' life in a hangar? That's the only way to give an estimate of how long the protective product will last. If she's a ramp queen then don't quote an excessive period, 4-6 months tops. Please, please, please do a walk around with the owner/pilot of the aircraft to go over sensitive areas and address any physical hazards because they do exist. What kind of products to use? Visit Aircraft Spruce and take a look at what is sold, you will be surprised to see some automotive products listed. Best of luck to you :).
 
Are you familiar with pitot tubes and static ports? If not, you need to tape up static ports while polishing because you don't want buildup in there. Please don't forget to remove the tape when you are finished. As for the pitot tubes, make sure you hang a long, bright marker from them so that you don't bump and break them. When cleaning the "glass" make sure you clean in the direction of airflow and DO NOT GO IN CIRCLES. I can't stress this enough because if you create circular swirls you have just created a nightmare for the pilot, possibly leading to death of all on board. Don't degrease the landing gear at all. Try to avoid using silicone based products. For the de-ice boots you should use PBS De-Ice Boot System. It is expensive but is said to be the best.

Does the plane sit out on the ramp or spend its' life in a hangar? That's the only way to give an estimate of how long the protective product will last. If she's a ramp queen then don't quote an excessive period, 4-6 months tops. Please, please, please do a walk around with the owner/pilot of the aircraft to go over sensitive areas and address any physical hazards because they do exist. What kind of products to use? Visit Aircraft Spruce and take a look at what is sold, you will be surprised to see some automotive products listed. Best of luck to you :).

Great response there, but most important thing is having the proper insurance and the know how when coming to aircraft work.
 
Hello all, I have a client that has asked us to detail his small aircraft. We have not done this before and I wanted help to prepare.

What chemicals are best to use for washing, polishing, treating the boots, landing hear, windows and interior?
Also, how often should we suggest polishing/sealing the painted surfaces?
What kind of pricing should we quote since insurance is higher for aircraft.
from small two passenger planes like CESSNA to Learjet.

Any help would be appreciated.

So you want to Detail an Airplane ???

Oh boy, get ready to work your a$$ off, my friend!!!

A lot of people who have never done one think - well its an airplane, its no big deal but the reality of it is that it IS a big deal.

There is a huge amount of metalwork on the tops AND bottoms of the wings and tail alone!

Is it a painted airplane or aluminum/painted??

The paint is historically very hard and because of that, on really dirty, weathered paint, it will take a good agressive compound and wool or foam wool pads with a Rotary, and it will still be a long, hard, job.

Most of the delicate instruments on the wing edges will be marked or have a flag hanging off of them. If you accidently break one of these, the cost will be way more than the Detail , so you have to be very very careful around those things.

I would not even recommend you touch any of the plexiglass on the plane, even with your hands. See if the Owner is doing his own glass and let him do it if he says he will. You dont want to be having to replace any of it either.
What I did on the last Cessna I Detailed was take a tape and paper machine with me, and cover all the glass completely, strong tape seals, no leaks, like you were going to paint the plane, and then I started the compound process. You really dont want to touch any of the glass unless you have to.

I used Menzerna Powerlock on this airplane and it turned out stunning. It was custom painted 2 colors, and the excellent compounding preparation and Menzerna Powerlock totally dialed this one in.

Totally agree with above - do not touch any lubricants on the landing gear. The tops of the wheels are usually covered anyway, so that is good.

The underside of the fuselage behind the engine if its a single prop Cessna may be really dirty from the exhaust, and oil leaking, etc... You will need to be able to remove this with a degreaser, so bring some along..

Better still, see if the Owner has it already washed for you and hopefully, it lives in a hangar and not outside.. The fuselage or under the wings may still be dirty so be prepared for that.

Oh yeah, the underside of the wings has to be compounded just like the top side, so be prepared to really hurt your triceps if you are not working out regularly or detailing regularly. The weight of the machine will be felt a lot here.

Speaking of machines, please tell me you are going to use a Rotary...... Otherwise, you are going to be there for a long, long, time, unless the paint is really, nice and clean, with no embedded gunk in it.

You will need a good platform and if not, a ladder tall enough to allow you tor reach the top sides of the tail, and hopefully a platform to allow you to reach way over and get the top middle of the wing as it goes over the top of the fuselage. You will be trying to access that area from both sides of the plane.
Better to have a good, tall platform and then be careful that you dont bump into that soft aluminum skin with it.

On some airplanes you can step on the wing area if it runs under the fuselage in the center, and maybe you can get to the top middle of the fuselage from there.. Some airplanes you can only step on just a certain portion of the wing area, to get into it if its a multi-passenger, but not all over the wing area..

You will need to spend time there with the Owner/s and make sure you know where you can step on it and where you cant. If it says "No Step", it really means that..
Watch out for the Prop - it can hurt you really bad if you run into an edge with your head and stuff... The Owner may not want you to touch it, they are very finicky about this too and for good reason...

And if you finally get through all this and finish the airplane, you will also probably be responsible for removing all the compound dust that has now settled all over the floor underneath. It will absolutely have to go, otherwise, the Owner and his friends will pick it up on their shoes and track it inside their nice, clean black leather and carpeted interior! :( You have to remove this dust in a way so that it doesnt fly around and redeposit all over the outside of the airplane all over again.. So, think about how you will do this. Ask the Owner how this has been done in the past perhaps..

You may or may not need to bring your own lighting and extension cords, a huge amount of pads, preferably foam wool since they blow out less and finish really nicely, but regular wool is preferred by a lot of people even though they make a mess .. (that you also have to clean up afterwards, and during the process, depending on how much compounding you may have to do)..

This may take several 12+ hour days, so plan for this, also find out where a bathroom is, and water, bring a pad washer if possible, unless you have dozens of pads all ready and dozens more after you run through that first bunch. Plan on having a place to dry pads quickly, if you dont have enough and have to use them the next day, etc...

Finally, get to the Airport where the plane is located, look around and ask where the Airplane Detailers are, go talk to them and find out what the going rate is for this particular size plane, in whatever condition the paint is..
Are you doing the Interior too?? You have to be careful what you touch inside especially pedals and stuff , so you dont accidently unlock the flaps, tail rudder, etc.,. There are a lot of gauges in there, the plastic faces are sometimes fragile, so you dont want to scratch them either.

Has the Owner/s had the aircraft detailed before? How long ago? Who did it? Was it done at that Airport?

The Owner will have to give you a key card and keys to the Hangar, etc., wherever the airplane is stored, you will have to be careful when driving in the Airport, as planes are all around you and taxiing all over the place..

Good Luck with this! Hope it all works out for you !
Dan F
 
My brother is a pilot, and I never have or ever will touch a plane. After hearing how much is at risk of being damaged, there's no way I want that on my shoulders even though Im sure he could get me the work.
 
:autopia:

Really great responses on here. There was a time when two of my clients had asked me to detail their Gulfstreams. Enticed by what I thought would be a huge payday (both wanted to their planes at 'show car standard) I started researching what was involved.

The landing gear thing came up first. I was told you can clean it using hyrdraulic fluid, nothing else.

You can easily damage the instruments and various sensitive equipment ports.

Ultimately the thought of a large payday evaporated as I realized that I am not willing to play with somebodies life doing something I have no experience with. There is too much to mess up (for me) and it's not like the pilot can pull over on the side of the road if something goes wrong.
 
So you want to Detail an Airplane ???

Oh boy, get ready to work your a$$ off, my friend!!!

A lot of people who have never done one think - well its an airplane, its no big deal but the reality of it is that it IS a big deal.

There is a huge amount of metalwork on the tops AND bottoms of the wings and tail alone!

Is it a painted airplane or aluminum/painted??

The paint is historically very hard and because of that, on really dirty, weathered paint, it will take a good agressive compound and wool or foam wool pads with a Rotary, and it will still be a long, hard, job.

Most of the delicate instruments on the wing edges will be marked or have a flag hanging off of them. If you accidently break one of these, the cost will be way more than the Detail , so you have to be very very careful around those things.

I would not even recommend you touch any of the plexiglass on the plane, even with your hands. See if the Owner is doing his own glass and let him do it if he says he will. You dont want to be having to replace any of it either.
What I did on the last Cessna I Detailed was take a tape and paper machine with me, and cover all the glass completely, strong tape seals, no leaks, like you were going to paint the plane, and then I started the compound process. You really dont want to touch any of the glass unless you have to.

I used Menzerna Powerlock on this airplane and it turned out stunning. It was custom painted 2 colors, and the excellent compounding preparation and Menzerna Powerlock totally dialed this one in.

Totally agree with above - do not touch any lubricants on the landing gear. The tops of the wheels are usually covered anyway, so that is good.

The underside of the fuselage behind the engine if its a single prop Cessna may be really dirty from the exhaust, and oil leaking, etc... You will need to be able to remove this with a degreaser, so bring some along..

Better still, see if the Owner has it already washed for you and hopefully, it lives in a hangar and not outside.. The fuselage or under the wings may still be dirty so be prepared for that.

Oh yeah, the underside of the wings has to be compounded just like the top side, so be prepared to really hurt your triceps if you are not working out regularly or detailing regularly. The weight of the machine will be felt a lot here.

Speaking of machines, please tell me you are going to use a Rotary...... Otherwise, you are going to be there for a long, long, time, unless the paint is really, nice and clean, with no embedded gunk in it.

You will need a good platform and if not, a ladder tall enough to allow you tor reach the top sides of the tail, and hopefully a platform to allow you to reach way over and get the top middle of the wing as it goes over the top of the fuselage. You will be trying to access that area from both sides of the plane.
Better to have a good, tall platform and then be careful that you dont bump into that soft aluminum skin with it.

On some airplanes you can step on the wing area if it runs under the fuselage in the center, and maybe you can get to the top middle of the fuselage from there.. Some airplanes you can only step on just a certain portion of the wing area, to get into it if its a multi-passenger, but not all over the wing area..

You will need to spend time there with the Owner/s and make sure you know where you can step on it and where you cant. If it says "No Step", it really means that..
Watch out for the Prop - it can hurt you really bad if you run into an edge with your head and stuff... The Owner may not want you to touch it, they are very finicky about this too and for good reason...

And if you finally get through all this and finish the airplane, you will also probably be responsible for removing all the compound dust that has now settled all over the floor underneath. It will absolutely have to go, otherwise, the Owner and his friends will pick it up on their shoes and track it inside their nice, clean black leather and carpeted interior! :( You have to remove this dust in a way so that it doesnt fly around and redeposit all over the outside of the airplane all over again.. So, think about how you will do this. Ask the Owner how this has been done in the past perhaps..

You may or may not need to bring your own lighting and extension cords, a huge amount of pads, preferably foam wool since they blow out less and finish really nicely, but regular wool is preferred by a lot of people even though they make a mess .. (that you also have to clean up afterwards, and during the process, depending on how much compounding you may have to do)..

This may take several 12+ hour days, so plan for this, also find out where a bathroom is, and water, bring a pad washer if possible, unless you have dozens of pads all ready and dozens more after you run through that first bunch. Plan on having a place to dry pads quickly, if you dont have enough and have to use them the next day, etc...

Finally, get to the Airport where the plane is located, look around and ask where the Airplane Detailers are, go talk to them and find out what the going rate is for this particular size plane, in whatever condition the paint is..
Are you doing the Interior too?? You have to be careful what you touch inside especially pedals and stuff , so you dont accidently unlock the flaps, tail rudder, etc.,. There are a lot of gauges in there, the plastic faces are sometimes fragile, so you dont want to scratch them either.

Has the Owner/s had the aircraft detailed before? How long ago? Who did it? Was it done at that Airport?

The Owner will have to give you a key card and keys to the Hangar, etc., wherever the airplane is stored, you will have to be careful when driving in the Airport, as planes are all around you and taxiing all over the place..

Good Luck with this! Hope it all works out for you !
Dan F
Thank you for that information. This plane is at a local small airport. It is kept in a hanger and not outside. I have not seen the plane yet. The owner plans on training me with the assistance of the airport manager. The last detailer did not perform the service correctly. I'm seeking now the suppliers for the detail supplies. I've noted the products you mentioned in your reply. Thank you.
 
Great response there, but most important thing is having the proper insurance and the know how when coming to aircraft work.
Insurance was my first step. That I've got covered. I'm looking for what I need look out for in the process. I'm licensed, insured and done all the legal stuff. Just trying to weigh out whether I want to take the job. Thanks
 
I'd just be honest with him. If he asks just tell him you don't have a lot of experience with planes which is why you are giving him a reasonable deal, but you will do your best just like you would on someones car. Because if you lead him on to believe that you are a professional "plane detailer" he will eventually find out that you are full of crap and that will start you off on the wrong foot with this guy. If he asks about how often he needs to polish just tell him how long the polish lasts. Planes are built like tanks and are made to withstand extreme temperatures, I would use the same chemicals you would use normally on a car. Guesstimate how long it's going to take you to clean, you are taking a shot in the dark with this being your first one. Look at other detailers prices on planes and go from there. Some people charge by the foot, which I think is a great way to judge it. Good luck
The cliente is aware that this would be my first Aircraft Detail, and is trying to assist with training, I just don't want to go there looking like an idiot. LOL. I've researched it and talked to a freind of mine that owns a plane and Just want to make sure I recognize what they are telling me. Thank you all for taking time to inform me of this imortant information.
 
I'm still undecided. I already take care of all other vehicles/tractors/trailers/home for this client. Not sure about the plane yet though. LOL.
 
Subscribed. I also have a friend asking about a detail on his small plane and I had no idea it was this much of a operation. A lot of good info in this thread.
 
foxbrookdtl---

Well,sounds like you are getting closer to pulling the trigger on this !

Here some more things I thought about ------
Airplanes have millions of rivets and rivet heads sticking up. If they are painted, you have to be careful when buffing over them that you dont take the paint off the tops.
Also, some edges especially around the Flaps will catch the edges of your pads, so watch out for that.
And has already been stated, automobile products work fine, its still paint (hopefully), yes, it is an airplane grade urethane, it might not ever get really mirror like clear like the cars you do, but it can be improved most of the time. It its been baked too long for too many years in the sun,, well, it might not respond very well.

I remember reading a post one day, somewhere from a guy who worked an an airport doing something else, and he said he would go by the airplane Detailers hangar, and they would be compounding the heck out of aircraft, using rotary power, wool pads, and they would not even take the time to clean them. They would use them up, then throw them away. This guy would come by later and take these new/used pads, clean them up and now has hundreds of them ! :)

You might consider using what I like to use as much as possible, the Lake Country Purple Foam Wool. Its not as sturdy as a big honking wool pad, but it cuts pretty darn good, finishes really nice, and doesnt explode so much wool fibers everywhere.. Just a thought...

Meguiars 105 works great in my experience; you have to get by the initial ("I dont want to work now") whine it gives you with perhaps a spray detailer or water, and then it settles down and does a great job in my experiences. Try to not get it to the dusting phase, because, remember, it all has to be removed from the aircraft and the floor. :)

My personal method for rotary work on aircraft is not to run high speeds, keep it at the lower end, around 900-1000 perhaps, and try to find a good balance between cutting/correcting quickly, and not damaging rivet heads, and dusting, blowing pad material all over heck and gone.. You will find your own rhythm after a bit; you will be fine.

Depending on the paint if painted, you may need to clarify if more with something like the sister, Meguiars 205, and as you know, its way way, easier to use.

Your LSP can be whatever you find that works best for the Clilent's needs from your own Inventory, unless he wants you to buy some "Aircraft, Boeing, etc., Certified" wax, etc..

I have great success with Menzerna PowerLock on Airplanes. It looks great, stays a long time, and gives great protection, easy to apply and remove..

If you can do a re-con run over there, to get an idea of the condition of the skin, it will greatly help you plan for the next phase...

It sounds like perhaps, they might have all the ladders, platforms, etc., that you will need, hopefully..... Stand up next to the highest points, the tail and the top of the aircraft, and see what size equipment you will need to get up there and over from either side...

If you have a partner/helper, that is about as good as you or the same, then the worktime may be cut in half !! :) Instead of a week, maybe half a week ! :)

Good luck, see if he will take you for a spin, weather permitting, etc.. These little planes are fast !!! Oh, and they crash a lot too! :) Be careful !!!!!!!

DanF
 
Thank you Dan,
I've asked him to meet me there to see what the condition is. I appreciate the posts and suggestions. The client is trying to set us up with his friends too, so I don't want to take a chance of messing up. I want to be sure that what I have in mind is correct.

Thank you again. If we do decide to do the job I'll post some before and after pics.

Thanks

Mark
 
foxbrookdtl---

Well,sounds like you are getting closer to pulling the trigger on this !

Here some more things I thought about ------
Airplanes have millions of rivets and rivet heads sticking up. If they are painted, you have to be careful when buffing over them that you dont take the paint off the tops.
Also, some edges especially around the Flaps will catch the edges of your pads, so watch out for that.
And has already been stated, automobile products work fine, its still paint (hopefully), yes, it is an airplane grade urethane, it might not ever get really mirror like clear like the cars you do, but it can be improved most of the time. It its been baked too long for too many years in the sun,, well, it might not respond very well.

I remember reading a post one day, somewhere from a guy who worked an an airport doing something else, and he said he would go by the airplane Detailers hangar, and they would be compounding the heck out of aircraft, using rotary power, wool pads, and they would not even take the time to clean them. They would use them up, then throw them away. This guy would come by later and take these new/used pads, clean them up and now has hundreds of them ! :)

You might consider using what I like to use as much as possible, the Lake Country Purple Foam Wool. Its not as sturdy as a big honking wool pad, but it cuts pretty darn good, finishes really nice, and doesnt explode so much wool fibers everywhere.. Just a thought...

Meguiars 105 works great in my experience; you have to get by the initial ("I dont want to work now") whine it gives you with perhaps a spray detailer or water, and then it settles down and does a great job in my experiences. Try to not get it to the dusting phase, because, remember, it all has to be removed from the aircraft and the floor. :)

My personal method for rotary work on aircraft is not to run high speeds, keep it at the lower end, around 900-1000 perhaps, and try to find a good balance between cutting/correcting quickly, and not damaging rivet heads, and dusting, blowing pad material all over heck and gone.. You will find your own rhythm after a bit; you will be fine.

Depending on the paint if painted, you may need to clarify if more with something like the sister, Meguiars 205, and as you know, its way way, easier to use.

Your LSP can be whatever you find that works best for the Clilent's needs from your own Inventory, unless he wants you to buy some "Aircraft, Boeing, etc., Certified" wax, etc..

I have great success with Menzerna PowerLock on Airplanes. It looks great, stays a long time, and gives great protection, easy to apply and remove..

If you can do a re-con run over there, to get an idea of the condition of the skin, it will greatly help you plan for the next phase...

It sounds like perhaps, they might have all the ladders, platforms, etc., that you will need, hopefully..... Stand up next to the highest points, the tail and the top of the aircraft, and see what size equipment you will need to get up there and over from either side...

If you have a partner/helper, that is about as good as you or the same, then the worktime may be cut in half !! :) Instead of a week, maybe half a week ! :)

Good luck, see if he will take you for a spin, weather permitting, etc.. These little planes are fast !!! Oh, and they crash a lot too! :) Be careful !!!!!!!

DanF

Dan you have always been so responsive and helpful to other forum members and have never held back information. I just wanted to thank you for being one of many reasons that AutopiaForums is a great place to hang out!
 
Dan pretty much covered the high points... one thing that hasn't been mentioned, you asked about what to put on the boots? BF Goodrich will refuse to honor their warranty on any deicing boots that have been treated with anything other than ICEX. A guy I know found out the hard (expensive) way when he tried to cheap out with Armor All or some such unsuitable crap.

More food for thought... airplanes have a ton of rivets and seams, have a horsehair toothbrush handy. Maybe two, you may wear one out. However much time you think it'll take you, double it and charge accordingly. Whether high or low wing your arms will get to the point of feeling like they're going to fall off doing the underside of wings.

Unless I was paid a ridiculously exhorbitant amount in an air conditioned hanger without time constraints I'd never do another one.

TL
 
Todd -

Well, you are welcome !

Hope you are doing ok from your Surgery today ! It's amazing that you were "under the knife" earlier and now you are at work !!! You are one tough hermano ! I am proud of you !

Thanks for the comment - I am glad to have found my way to a great bunch of people that are associated with AutopiaForms ! Had always been taught and learned that one of the great things we can leave in this world is someone or many, who learned from our experiences and move the bar farther and higher. It's pretty much self perpetuating once its gets going and we all keep giving it regular input. :)

Mark,----------
Sounds like you are doing all the right things - great job ! And if it brings you more business, and you want to do it, it can be great ! All Pilots talk about - yeah their planes! :) Once your company name gets out there, it might just take off and you will have a lot of work.
I have a couple I can do annually if I want, and more if I want from referrals. It is just long, detailed, hard work, not for the faint of heart.

Glad TL chimed in - yes, bring a few small brushes to clean out seams, etc, around rivet heads, places where compound might get stuck in. And you will wear out a bunch of things, so good idea to bring back up.
If you are a "I love challenges" kind of guy, then this will definitely take it up a notch.

I have pics of the last Cessna twin color custom painted aircraft somewhere, If I can find them, will post them up too!

Good luck, eat your Wheaties before you go, ok ?? :)
Dan F
 
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