Week 2

AIRCRAFT CLEANING
• Appendix D of FAR Part 43 requires that the airframe and engine be
cleaned before performing an annual or 100 hour inspection. Dirt can
cover up cracked or damaged components.
• Dirt can cover up cracked or damaged components as well as trap
moisture and solvents that lead to cor­rosion. If allowed to accumulate
over time, dirt and debris can build to a considerable weight and
decrease the useful load of the aircraft.
EXTERIOR CLEANING
• The first and most important step in corrosion control is to keep the exterior of an
aircraft thoroughly clean.
• Pitot tubes and static openings should always be plugged or taped prior to
cleaning an aircraft to pre­vent water ingestion.
• Wheel and brake assemblies should be covered to keep out cleaning agents.
• It is extremely important to use the cleaning compounds and other chemicals
that are recommended by the aircraft man­ufacturer, or are MIL SPEC approved
for the particu­lar application.
• Avoid washing an aircraft in the sun to help prevent the surface from drying
before the cleaner has time to penetrate the film and dirt.
- For the main part of the aircraft exterior, use a 1:5 or a 1:3 mixture of an
emulsion-type cleaner that meets MIL-C-15769 specifications and water.
- Brush or spray the mixture onto the surface and allow it to stand for a few
minutes, then rinse it off with a high-pressure stream of warm water.
• The engine cowling and wheel well area usually have grease or oil deposits that
require special treat­ment.
- these areas must be soaked with a 1:2 mixture of emulsion cleaner and water.
- After allowing the cleaner to remain on the surface for a few minutes, scrub
the heavily soiled areas with a soft bristle brush to completely loosen the dirt, and
rinse it with a high-pressure stream of warm water.
• Stubborn engine exhaust stains may require a 1:2 mixture of cleaner with
Varsol or kerosene. Mix these ingre­dients into a creamy emulsion and apply it
to the surface.
- Let it stand for a few minutes, then work all of the loosened residue with a
bristle brush and hose it off with a high-pressure stream of warm water.
- This treatment may be repeated if the first application does not remove all
of the stain.

• To remove oil, grease, or soft preservative compounds, dry-cleaning solvent, or

Naptha, is often used.
There are Two Types of Naptha
• Aliphatic Naptha is a hydrocarbon sol­vent that dissolves oil and grease but
does not harm rubber or acrylic components. Aliphatic naphtha is
frequently used to wipe down cleaned surfaces before painting.
• Aromatic Naptha, on the other hand, attacks rubber and acrylic com­
pounds.
• Caustic cleaners can cause corrosion on aluminum or mag­nesium
alloys and, therefore, should not be used.
• Magnesium engine parts should be washed with a commercial solvent
and decarbonized, and then scraped or grit blasted.
• When cleaning aluminum, you should always use cleaners which are
relatively neutral and easy to remove.
- If you must use an abrasive to remove cor­rosion products from
aluminum structure, use alu­minum wool or aluminum oxide sandpaper.
- Carborundum paper, crocus cloth, and steel wool must be avoided,
since they can lead to the forma­tion of dissimilar corrosion in
aluminum.
NONMETAL CLEANING
• Nonmetallic aircraft components sometimes require different
cleaning techniques than metal parts.
• Before washing a plastic window, rinse the area with water first. Once
clean, dry the window with a soft cloth to prevent streaking.
• Whenever Oil and Hydraulic fluids are spilled on a tire, they should be
immediately wiped off with a dry towel.
• The tire should then be washed with soap and water.
POWERPLANT CLEANING
• Accumulated dirt on powerplants can cover defects and lead to overheating.
• Aircraft engines should be cleaned on a regular basis. When doing this all
electrical components in the engine compartment must be protected from
solvent and soap.
• If the powerplant is located over a landing gear, the gear's brake and tire
assemblies should be covered in plastic.
• Prior to washing an engine, inspect it for excessive oil leakage. apply a soap or
solvent solution to the engine and allow it to set for several minutes. Heavy
accumulations of dirt and grease can be scrubbed with a bristle brush to loosen
them. The engine is then rinsed and allowed to dry.
• If volatile solvent was used, be sure it has dried before starting the engine to
minimize the risk of fire.