How does the outside of the airplane get cleaned?

Question

I mean, is it like a car wash for planes? ooh tell me!

If it's something as silly as soap and water... then oh well...

:)

Answer 1

They roll the airplane underneath a cage looking platform called a "wash rack". They only do this when they want to perform a comprehensive cleaning. Usually, the airplane's maintenance forms dictates when a washing is required (in other words, they do it after so many hours flown).

A less comprehensive exterior cleaning is called a "wipe down". It is exactly what it sounds like, a manual wipe down using insect removing sponges. Frequently, when they do wipe downs they will only get the leading edges as this is what collects insects and other gunk. The aircraft maintenance forms will also dictate when wipedowns are required unless in the opinion of maintenance personnel or pilots, one is required before the forms dictate it. Depending on the aircraft type and the company, aircraft forms will frequently dictate a few wipe down interval cycles between complete washings using a wash rack.

Unlike car paint, the health of airplane paint isn't predicated on keeping it clean. However, you don't want lots of insects, dried mud, or other stuff adhering to the aircraft's exterior surfaces because it interrupts the smooth flow of air over it which will increase stall speeds and alter the performance characteristics of the aircraft. For this same reason you also cannot tolerate any frost or ice being on the exterior surfaces.

Answer 2

There are crews at terminals around the world that wash the planes, much like washing a car. They use soap and water with brushes and high pressure hoses. It takes about 30 minutes to do a lite wash, and about an hour to do a detail.

Answer 3

actually, there is a crew of cleaners that clean the planes on a semi regular basis. They do use brushes (like the big broom kids) with high pressure hoses to wash the exterior of the planes. For united, they were also the cabin cleaners.

Answer 4

when an aeroplane goes in for its service, they take into a hanger in the hanger they strip the paint and then repaint it. I have witnesses this and it is amazing, the paint stripper is so strong that the paint literally drips off the plane onto the floor. I am guessing that you are asking about serious cleaning. For the not so serious cleaning they wash it with strong hoses I would guess.

Answer 5

Some do it by hand with high pressure and a cherry-picker truck but a lot are now using purpose built "plane wash" machines.

http://static.flickr.com/84/245536127_3a290c4435_m.jpg

I can't find any pictures of the big ones. But these are supposed to be more environmentally friendly than hand-washing.

Answer 6

Hi there, I believe they have a special kind of spray washer that can reach the height of the planes. They have specially trained personnel that are trained to do this, you see them do it on the tarmac sometimes at the airports. =) Someone on here may have a more technical answer but this will help get you started. Good luck!

Answer 7

Sprayers on cherry pickers. Things like that. However there are a FEW places (where they do a lot of washing, etc. where they have permanent installations. (What amounts to a big car wash.

Answer 8

Ya pretty much. Huge sprayers and ladders. That's pretty much it. lol

The U.S. Military and private enterprise depend on Hydro Engineering expertise to convert existing and new aircraft hanger designs to be used as washing stations while maintaining the original intended use of the hanger.


YOu can go to the link in the sources for the serious description. The following link is for a laugh.

Go to this link: http://www.ccsi.com/~mbrown/Email_Flotsam/Washing_Airplanes/washing_airplanes.html

Answer 9

On my airport planes get cleaned by Mexicans. They do a good job too.

Answer 10

All you have to do is wash it regularly with soap and water.