How to wash an airplane 

Back in the 1970’s I would wash planes at my FBO flight school for flight hours. Worked my way up to LearJets. Cleaning engine exhaust. One day the Lear landed and passengers vomited in the jet. Took seats and carpet out. Cleaned the inside. Two weeks later the pilots let me go up with them. OMG

You washed it incorrectly.... You are supposed to get your kid and all of his friends to wash the airplane, your job it to supply the cleaning supplies, supervise, and the pizza when they are done!

Jimmy, Try Simple Green on Engines. You will be surprised. Just spray it on, let it sit for 5-10 minutes and rinse off. No scrubbing necessary. You don't even need a spray nozzle on your hose. just let the water run out of the hose.

When I was a senior in high school many many moons ago an assistant coach offered our class $75 to wash, wax and polish his Cessna 150. We jumped on the chance to raise some senior trip money. Little did we know just how much work that would involved. It took a couple of weeks for four of us to finish the work. He did take me up flying one time too. Thank you Lanny Powers for being such a kind standup guy.

Great video and a nice airplane. I use Simple Green Extreme for spot cleaning, and Belly Wash on the underside. Some cleaning products contain chemicals that wick up between layers and cause hidden corrosion. I don't recall what the specific chemicals are, but I do know that if it smells like Formula 409, it should not be used on planes. To avoid this, I only use products that are specifically made for aluminum airplanes. For the engine, I have had three A&Ps use mineral spirits with a Harbor Freight compressed air cleaning wand. My guess is that your airport management probably would balk at running it down their drain.

Pilot's log: Evidence of oil on the landing gear Engineer: Evidence removed 🙂

Jimmy dawn dishwashing liquid works good on the engine and environmentally friendly.

A car detailer told me never use Armorall---he said use Back to Black----surface does not have to be black-----works great on vinyl. plastic.etc.

We’ve had issues with water (and wax) in the static ports washing traditionally like this Highly recommend a waterless wash/wax for cleaning (we use Wolfgang concentrate) and an aluminum safe degreaser (like “wash wax all” degreaser) The waterless wash concentrate can be less diluted for a nice “quick detail” spray to get bugs off between flights. For a wash we do 1oz to 3gal water, and for quick detailer 3oz per gallon

Jimmy, when you're ready to learn how to wash one the right way let me know. You also need to use a good paste wax, 5 to 7 coats as it smooths the surface and increases fuel economy and speed. To answer the questions yes I've been doing it since the 60's.

This brings back my apprentice days. While taking lessons at the fbo I worked at. Part of my duties was to wash the school planes.Lets just say I hated working on the piper we had.I loved cleaning the cessna's on the fleet. Hence my love for high wing airplanes ✈️

NEVER use that crappy alkaline degreaser anywhere near aluminium (that's how it is spelt), it is very corrosive, you need to use the petroleum based product, it's good stuff and works well. Then a strong ph neutral "truck wash'" detergent will finish the job well.

To keep bare alum shinny we kept our tankers looking like chrome we only use citric acid and does not dull alum it makes I maintain the shinny look if you do this from new. I don’t know if it would hurt wires or not but the wires always looked like new so try this on you fire wall that’s bare alum and you will be surprised, good luck let me know after you do this and citric acid is very mild does nothing to steel only soft alum .

Yea Jimmy I used that kinda silicone spray on the bug catchers leading edge last. We used a little 12v pump, a wand a syphon and spray the nasty gear and grime then a scrub it with a dawn dishwashing detergent. But yea the mineral spirits cleaned it.

Really enjoy your videos ! Looks like you are having fun.

Best thing I have used on the belly is soft hand cleaner like gojo (or generic). I put it on some folded paper towels, rub it in good, let it work and wipe it off. Then wash the airplane and rinse any residue off. That's the easiest and cleanest way I have found.

I seriously can NOT believe that I just spent 10 minutes watching someone wash an airplane. I need to get a life. Hahahahahaha

Jimmy! My man. Ever wonder why glider pilots love those floppy hats? Hehe.

Douglas A1 sky raider as a plane to consider looking for ?

Nice one, looking good. Happy landings

Oh man, completely relate to “downwind” did the same thing 5 days ago trying to deep clean the 182, simple green A. Taste like crap. B. Burns the eyes..

Jimmy you're awesome dude

RU-vid: Do you own an airplane? Me: No RU-vid: wanna watch Jimmy wash his? Me: Heck Ya!!!

Was that a water resistant cover before you scrubbed it?

sorry Jimmy, I got a "belly full" of washing airplanes working line service back in the 70's!

mineral sprits

Um avião desse que vc recupera qual o custo final pra uma futura venda. Sou do Brasil estou próximo a Amazônia.

My late sister had a 180. I got to fly it once.

What’s a good price for a piper 180?

I’m the reason why Steve Jobs (or someone like him) always looked for the lazy employee to undertake special tasks. He knew that the lazy ones would always find the quicker way!

Do not use standard carwash products on an aluminium aircraft! The majority of carwash solutions are caustic/alkali to help cut through the crud, however you can buy pH neutral carwash solutions that do the business but don't attack the aluminium are available and that is what I use. Even if you do your best to rinse standard products from the surfaces, with the best will in the world some will get through and dry in the same spot each time leading to point corrosion.

Not sure how I feel about the red rocker covers

What, no bikini girls 😎😎

vinegar to clean the cover.

Ear sunburns are the worst lol

I used Super Clean. on my Bull Dozer, cost me a lot in wiring damage. I would never ever use it on anything, ever again. Don't Don't Don't!

I was wondering , on small planes, do u have access to a master power cut off switch when your in the air, I know all the component's are on breakers,

You need a mechanics creeper to get under the aircraft. You’ll get a little wet but not near as much as on your knees!

So the birds 🐦 left you some air mail . 🤔

you need to try the new Armorall ceramic coat

Why use degreaser if you have avgas 🤣🤣

This made me laugh. I once cleaned and polished a British aerospace Hawk with meguiar’s spray wax and speed detailer. It was for our open day . It took me all shift. It was supposed to be a quick wipe over but my ocd kicked in 😂

I used to use Easy Clean from Eastern Aero Supply in New Jersey. It won't corrode aluminum but it is tough enough to remove stubborn exhaust stains. BTW, if you let a new line guy wash your plane keep a spare transponder antenna in stock.

Fist of all never use a wash and wax for anything it will dull your pain finish after just a short while of use . Its best to use a dish washing detergent in water than towel dry and apply wax or hand glaze 3 coats .

Congratulations on the sale!!!

It always makes me laugh when I see a Piper Brake Fluid Reservoir some serious engineering went into that design.

Doesn't waxing the wings cause a more sudden entry into a stall? Like how clear ice does. Reduces friction drag but when the air flow separates in a stall it does it sharply. Less turbulence warning before the stall.

When I was 14 years old, I used to wash airplanes at Quartz Hill Airport in southern CA. I got $3.00 per plane and if I worked fast, I could do it in 2 hours. It was a lot of work for little pay, but I just loved being around flying machines.

I have that same hat Jimmy. My wife hates when I wear it. Thus, I try to wear it often! Lol

I've had my plane since January. In the short term, I've been spot cleaning the exterior (mainly to remove the "bird presents" on my wings) but it can use a full washing. I'll probably do that later this summer, after the annual in July.

Iv'e never seen anyone toes as long as yours fella.

Hey Jimmy’s world, ho to the Harley Davidson dealer in your area z assume get some S100. It won’t hurt any Surface or finish. Won’t harm rubber or wire but is eats oil and grime. Spray it on and hose it off. Use it on my car, motor cycle and airplane

I just saw the vidio of washing your plane. If you would like to see a great difference try a product called "Awsome". You can get it at the dollar store and it is biodegradable.

Electronics is instruments. Electrical that's basically like wires and stuff

Chlorinated brake cleaner will clean the grease of better than any degreaser than anything

cOULD HAVE USED PROP WASh jIMMY! lOVE THE vlogs!

I use water as well and have never had any issues. (I use filtered water, btw)

Did you know that 1bc is for sale 1973 310

Advertisement on the Jimmy channel? Why don’t you just put a good, serious squirt of washing up liquid on the prop and fly through a nearby rain cloud? Simple!

I'm Jimmy. What's your name? Jimmy?

Anti self lubrication 😅

So you're free to drop all that chemicals on the ramp? We can't do that here in France. Nice video tho.

When you renew the wingwalk next time, please make a video

I love my Cherokee C 180. They’re great airplanes. 😀

"Greasy grimmie gopher guts!" - Bill Murray

LOL nice.

My Friend Klasse Great Job Joop Visser From Holland.

Wash or warsh?

I agree with you 100 percent about the Cherokee 180. It will haul full fuel with four big adults and some luggage, and will still het off the ground in 2800 ft at sea level. The only fault it has is your fault. It just feels solid and reliable.

Take the cover off. Be careful using harsh brush in painted surfaces. Soft brush or you will scratch

I always like a goofy genius. You are like the perfect Professor Brown of Back to the future. lOl.

Simple Green don't hurt no stinking wires. "De-greazes," real good.

I'm amazed you do it yourself.....good example

I've detailed a Gazelle helicopter. That was hard enough.

For cleaning the prop it's best to use propwash😂😂

Jimmy try some “LA Awesome”. It’s a great cleaner that is effective but gentle. 😁✌️

The sunscreen he has got recalled for giving people cancer 🤣

I bet some convertible top cleaner would do wonders on that cover fabric.

Can you use a foam cannon on that to simplify it a bit

Put soap then fly it to a storm.

Well done mate. It looks brannnnd new! 🛩

Great video!

Try using Simple green it works well with cold water for degreasing an engine or anything as far as that goose .