My years in aviation have granted me the privilege of working on many paint jobs in various conditions, from faded & oxidized to brand-new. These projects have taught me a lot about what goes into preserving the aesthetics of an aircraft’s paint job.

The good news is it’s not rocket science. 

Proactivity

Proactivity means setting up a defense perimeter the second the aircraft enters your possession. Waiting until your paint starts to visibly deteriorate is a worse idea than putting pineapple on pizza.

A protective coating forms a barrier over the paint and prevents bugs, dirt, oil, grease, etc., from soaking in and dulling the shine and gloss. Popular choices range from polymer to ceramic to graphene, or even a good ol’ basic carnauba wax. The goal here is to make a choice and then commit to regular application as needed based on the coating’s lifespan. The more durable the coating, the less often it needs to be reapplied. Check with your manufacturer or paint shop to see what coatings they recommend (or don’t recommend).

A little proactivity with a protective coating will go a long way toward safeguarding your aircraft’s safety and value, as well as bolster the paint’s role as a barrier against airframe corrosion.

Products

One of the most important factors regarding aircraft paint is knowing which products should, or should never, be used to clean or compound it.

Remember proactivity? I’ve noticed that paint jobs with good protective coatings don’t require aggressive cleaning methods or harsh products to remove bugs, dirt, oil, or grease. The right products will cling to those contaminants and dissolve them from the coating’s surface, making it a lot easier to clean and protecting your paint job’s durability in the process.

One of the quickest ways to ruin a pretty paint job is to scrub it mercilessly with caustic/harsh products.

And if you do have a protective coating on the paint, the wrong products can prematurely wear it down, or even take it right off.

A good question to ask is, “Was this product made with aircraft in mind?” If the answer is no, then why take the risk? So many products have been designed, tested, and approved for aircraft; try to avoid the ones that aren’t.

Process 

I’ll be honest, I prefer dry washing over wet washing. I believe that it poses less risk for the aircraft. I know that wet washing has to be done at times, especially around saltwater, but it introduces additional safety concerns.

The key is to have a controlled process that prevents critical components from being damaged. Soft, microfiber towels or sponges paired with the right products that provide good lubrication and encapsulation can often get the job done.

Even with the right products, an improper cleaning process will jeopardize the aircraft’s exterior. Washing or detailing an aircraft has to be done with safety and quality in mind. If not, the paint will become scratched and marred, and slowly lose gloss and clarity over time.

The paint already takes a beating from the environment; please don’t add to its misery by accosting it with Dawn dish soap and a stiff-bristle brush that’s covered in cobwebs and also used to clean the hangar floor. I say this with all the love in my heart.

Conclusion

Although it brings me great fulfillment to take a weathered paint job and transform it back to shiny glory, I also know it doesn’t always have to get to that point. Your paint is your airframe’s main defense against corrosion, so make sure to be Proactive, employ a smart Process while using the right Products, and your aircraft will be the envy of the ramp for years to come. 

I heard someone say it costs more to keep your aircraft dirty than it does to keep it clean. If your paint job were a sentient being, I think it would agree 🙂

Safe skies,

Gracie