Cleaning the belly

[No longer active on TMGA]

The belly behind the engine air outlet. and as far back as the middle of the tail boom, becomes dull and a bit grimy looking after 50-60 hours, and particularly behind the exhaust pipe. I finally noticed it, so I used some auto wash I use on my cars, and a soft brush (usually used on my motorhome) to scrub away at the belly. Most of the grime came of fairly easily, but it still needs to be waxed, and it was bit messy, with water and soap on the floor despite the drop cloth. I'll need to get a mop for the hangar if I make a habit of cleaning the underside that way

It seems like there must be a good product in a spray bottle that would quickly and easily remove the oil and other grime, while infusing some wax or other protectorant into the finish, so it was even easier to do next time. I envision lying on my car creeper and rolling along under the plane, spraying and wiping the grime away in a couple minutes. Does anyone know of such a product?

[Randy Roth]

The belly behind the engine air outlet. and as far back as the middle of the tail boom, becomes dull and a bit grimy looking after 50-60 hours, and particularly behind the exhaust pipe. I finally noticed it, so I used some auto wash I use on my cars, and a soft brush (usually used on my motorhome) to scrub away at the belly. Most of the grime came of fairly easily, but it still needs to be waxed, and it was bit messy, with water and soap on the floor despite the drop cloth. I'll need to get a mop for the hangar if I make a habit of cleaning the underside that way

It seems like there must be a good product in a spray bottle that would quickly and easily remove the oil and other grime, while infusing some wax or other protectorant into the finish, so it was even easier to do next time. I envision lying on my car creeper and rolling along under the plane, spraying and wiping the grime away in a couple minutes. Does anyone know of such a product?

Hi Eric, I've been using 2 Meguiar's products. A spoon full of their deep crystal car wash in a couple quarts of water seems to not only wash the bugs off the leading edges after each flight but also clean the under belly about every 4th fight or so. After 3 or 4 times, which would be 12 - 16 short climb only fights, I've been following the wash with Meguiar's cleaner wax liquid as suggested by Jim Lee. Using 2 new or nearly new micro fiber cloths helps. One for washing / applying and the other for drying / polish removal. This keeps things looking new. There may be a combo clean and wax that saves some time on the creeper though.

[chasers03]

Hey guys I have come to know PollyGlide as a good remover and very good protectant. Another is REJEX both are available at aircraft Spruce.

[No longer active on TMGA]

I've ordered a spray bottle of Meguiar's G14422 Ultimate Quik Detailer and some Mequiar's microfiber cloths. I'll try it out, and report here. I already have some of their wax (can't remember the type - it's at the hangar).