Wash, polish, wax?

[Jim Burns]

Spring is almost here (ok, I probably just jinxed it) and we're wanting to
really clean up the Aztec before applying a good base coat of wax for the
summer.

We've got a little oxidation and some fuel streaking, but mostly just hanger
dust, belly oil, runway grime, tire, brake, and exhaust dust to clean off.
I've successfully used TurtleWax polish to remove some very minor chafes and
scratches, I think it will work fine for the oxidation, but first I need to
get the paint deep down clean. Many people have suggested WashWax ALL for
the initial wash job, but I don't want to leave a residue of wax behind, I
just want the paint clean so I can polish it. I definitely need to get all
the dirt and foreign particles off.

I'm wondering what products and procedures other people are using for a very
thorough washing, polishing, waxing.

Any hints tips or suggestions are appreciated.

Jim

[Denny]

The strong man way:
Citrus based product for the general wash job...
Rub the paint out with a slow speed buffer, floppy pad, and Meguiars
#1, then hand apply Megs #2, and finish with Megs #3 (on the shelf at
any auto store, wally world, etc. and yes the maroon jugs are numbered
1-2-3) ... voila, concours level gloss (assuming reasonable paint to
start with) and really tired arms...

Or, the lazy man way <me me me>:
Two closely held secrets (here I go spilling the beans, jeez will I
ever learn)
OK anyway, the savvy airplane cleaner's secret weapons...
SCRUBBING BUBBLES BATHROOM CLEANER
Spray it on, let it foam, wipe it off - and wonder why the paint never
looked that good before...
Then slop on some 'Dry Wash-N-Guard', let it haze, wipe it down, and
you are done...



denny

[Jon Kraus]

I just used the Scrubbing bubbles today on our Mooney... Worked great!!
I got all the left over bugs, bird crap and whatever else off easily...
I can buy it at Costco in 4 packs for next to nothing...

Jon Kraus
PP-ASEL-IA
'79 Mooney 201


<snip>

> Or, the lazy man way <me me me>:
> Two closely held secrets (here I go spilling the beans, jeez will I
> ever learn)
> OK anyway, the savvy airplane cleaner's secret weapons...
> SCRUBBING BUBBLES BATHROOM CLEANER
> Spray it on, let it foam, wipe it off - and wonder why the paint never
> looked that good before...
> Then slop on some 'Dry Wash-N-Guard', let it haze, wipe it down, and
> you are done...
>
>
>
> denny
>

[Carl Orton]

Use some caution with the scrubbing bubbles. I've read in some other forums
(and haven't checked it out myself) that the scrubbing bubbles might be
corrosive to the aluminum.

I've used *white* GoJo with great success - use a paintbrush, glop it on,
wait 15 minutes, and hose or wipe it off. DO NOT get anything other than the
WHITE jug of GoJo, as all the other have the pumice grit in it that will
screw up your paint REAL fast.... The white is just mineral spirits and
other stuff to gell it up.

"Denny" > wrote in message
oups.com...

> Or, the lazy man way <me me me>:
> Two closely held secrets (here I go spilling the beans, jeez will I
> ever learn)
> OK anyway, the savvy airplane cleaner's secret weapons...
> SCRUBBING BUBBLES BATHROOM CLEANER
> Spray it on, let it foam, wipe it off - and wonder why the paint never
> looked that good before...

[[email protected]]

I've used that Fast Orange hand cleaner to get bugs off
leading edges and so on, but it can get expensive. Might have to try
the Bubbles stuff. I have a pail of smelly stuff called Magnusol that,
diluted 4:1, will clean off exhaust tracks and other hard-to-remove
crud. Haven't tried it on bugs yet: Canada's bug season isn't open yet.
Grasshoppers have to be the worst...

[OtisWinslow]

Wash the plane with clean water.

Clean the belly and greasy parts with GoJo hand cleaner then rinse with
clean water. It
won't hurt the paint.

Do the rest of the plane with WashWax All and that's it.


"Jim Burns" > wrote in message
...
> Spring is almost here (ok, I probably just jinxed it) and we're wanting to
> really clean up the Aztec before applying a good base coat of wax for the
> summer.
>
> We've got a little oxidation and some fuel streaking, but mostly just
> hanger
> dust, belly oil, runway grime, tire, brake, and exhaust dust to clean off.
> I've successfully used TurtleWax polish to remove some very minor chafes
> and
> scratches, I think it will work fine for the oxidation, but first I need
> to
> get the paint deep down clean. Many people have suggested WashWax ALL for
> the initial wash job, but I don't want to leave a residue of wax behind, I
> just want the paint clean so I can polish it. I definitely need to get all
> the dirt and foreign particles off.
>
> I'm wondering what products and procedures other people are using for a
> very
> thorough washing, polishing, waxing.
>
> Any hints tips or suggestions are appreciated.
>
> Jim
>
>

[Dude]

>
> Do the rest of the plane with WashWax All and that's it.
>
>

I find that the bugs come off pretty well when you just let the cleaner soak
into them a bit before wiping. Also, those really low abrasion 3m pads they
sell work well.

[OtisWinslow]

Actually if it's just bugs and the rest of the plane isn't too
bad I have a spray bottle of clear water I spray on the leading
edges first and towel off. Then I use the Wash Wax All.


"Dude" > wrote in message
...
> >
>> Do the rest of the plane with WashWax All and that's it.
>>
>>
>
> I find that the bugs come off pretty well when you just let the cleaner
> soak into them a bit before wiping. Also, those really low abrasion 3m
> pads they sell work well.
>

[Jim Burns]

Thanks Denny....
I did a test area, the right wingtip...
Xylol around the fuel caps to get the fuel stains off
Citrus degreaser, rinse with water, dry
Turtle wax polish w/slow speed buffer
Megs #2 then #3
Blinding!
Thanks
Jim

"Denny" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> The strong man way:
> Citrus based product for the general wash job...
> Rub the paint out with a slow speed buffer, floppy pad, and Meguiars
> #1, then hand apply Megs #2, and finish with Megs #3 (on the shelf at
> any auto store, wally world, etc. and yes the maroon jugs are numbered
> 1-2-3) ... voila, concours level gloss (assuming reasonable paint to
> start with) and really tired arms...
>
> Or, the lazy man way <me me me>:
> Two closely held secrets (here I go spilling the beans, jeez will I
> ever learn)
> OK anyway, the savvy airplane cleaner's secret weapons...
> SCRUBBING BUBBLES BATHROOM CLEANER
> Spray it on, let it foam, wipe it off - and wonder why the paint never
> looked that good before...
> Then slop on some 'Dry Wash-N-Guard', let it haze, wipe it down, and
> you are done...
>
>
>
> denny
>