Establishing proper cleaning methods

[rboylestad]

Need suggestions for cleaning exterior of windows for my AS trailer.

[Boxite]

My big, fat, Greek favorite: Windex.

[AWCHIEF]

Window cleaner, what ever brand you use at home.

[InsideOut]

Preferably ammonia-free. Ammonia is very corrosive to aluminum.

Vinegar & water is a better option...

Shari

[Boxite]

InsideOUt...that's very good advice and my previous answer was posted in haste. I ALWAYS USE ONLY AMMONIA-FREE products.
Ammonia will also craze/fog plastic (like, ever wonder why some folks who use car washes have foggy headlamp lenses? Ans: The car wash people have used an ammonia-product to clean the bugs off.)

Never use ammonia near plastic. (This includes RTV which is cured with ammonia. NOW you know what that familiar smell is in RTV.)

[dhroberts]

For the non-glass / acrylic windows, I use NOVUS PC-108 Plastic Clean & Shine - a very popular product with motorcycle and aviation enthusiasts for their windshields, etc.

[CRH]

Rain is what I rely on.

[Paul Zmann]

I would recommend a product I buy from Sam's or Wally Mart. Since a lot of people park in Wally Mart. It give you a product you could buy during a stop. I fly an experimental aircraft with plexiglass for windows. You need to use Ammonia Free to keep the plexus from crazing. I had Paul Leaderbrand recommend this from Stick & Rudder. I recently took my truck to wash, I paid extra to get the top of the line wash to get the bugs off. So much for that idea! I drove to the airport where I have 4 cans of this cleaner. I spray the front side of the mirrors, the windshield, the hood the grill, and then got a blue shop towel paper rag and wiped it all down. Undoubtedly the best bug remover I have ever seen try it! ! ! !

[streaminwild]

Do not use a straight razor to clean bug crud off the glass. The tint is not in the glass, but on the glass. After two windows my 1999 had permanent scratches. Hard to see but I know they are there.

[rboylestad]

Originally Posted by Boxite

My big, fat, Greek favorite: Windex.

Thank you.

[Paul Zmann]

I spray on the foam. I go down the entire leading edge, the struts, the windshield the doors, and the cowling. I go find an old t-shirt rag and start wiping it off at where I started spraying it down. It may take a little rubbing to get the super bugs off, I wipe her completely down. I then go back and find the spots that need more attention. I spray all of them and start wiping it down again. I haven't washed the plane since, I touch her up every time I fly.

[Paul Zmann]

I do not use a razor blade, I use a rag. It may take two wipe downs the best product I have ever used!