Simple Green - question

[avbug]

Don't just pour the mouthwash down the drain. Use it to clean the airplane. It won't corrode, and it comes out sparkling clean, and smells minty fresh to boot.

 

[svcta]

Just to clarify, buggie, what are your thoughts on the aviation simple green? I routinely use it, and I'd like to know if I'm doing something I shouldn't.

 

[avbug]

It's effective stuff at cutting grease, no question about it. While it's advertised as airplane-safe, that's on the outside. When it gets between overlapped metal surfaces such as riveted seams (faying surfaces) that aren't sealed, it's nearly impossible to get out. It can then act toward electrolytic corrosion.

Zep High Foam degreaser is another really good product for airplanes that goes a long way. With any cleaner, you need to ensure it's out of any crevices or sufaces where it might creep by thoroughly rinsing. The degreasers, soaps, and other such products get into places where water wouldn't normally creep, because they break down the water surface tension (surfactants), creating what's sometimes called "wet water." Where a droplet of water might not enter a tight overlapped surface, water and soap and chemicals acting as surfactants can, and are difficult to remove even with copious rinsing.

Carbon X seems to work very well on aircraft, though like other cleaners, it needs to be rinsed thoroughly and it's expensive. Very little goes a long way.