FAQs

Aircraft exteriors are routinely cleaned on 30 – 45 day cycles. While cleaning methods vary, focus is on improving the longevity of the aircraft’s exterior appearance. The type and extent of soiling, allotted time, economics, program benefits, and the final desired appearance are factors in determining the best cleaning method.

Today a WATERLESS DRYWASH is the most popular exterior cleaning method for a number of reasons. It skirts issues from environmental wet-wash runoff and collection. There is no detergent dulling. DRYWASH avoids restrictions presented by freezing temps and does not require lengthy facility scheduling as other maintenance can be performed simultaneously. An added benefit is that the NUVITE DRYWASH system not only cleans and enhances surface gloss, but deposits a UV barrier to retard oxidation, weather wear, and recurring soil deposits. To avoid overspray, the cleaning compound is usually applied direct to the aircraft with mop/scrub pad. The wet surface is agitated to release/emulsify soils. Frequent changing of soiled cleaning media captures more of lifted soils. Surface Residual of polish/UV absorbents are left to dry to a light haze, then buffed off with a clean dry mop/towel producing a clean, gloss enhanced protected surface.

WetWash/Rinse removes oil, grease, or carbon and most soils, with the exception of corrosion and oxide films. The cleaning compound is usually applied direct to the aircraft surface by spray or with mop/wash pad and bucket supply and is agitated with mops/wash pads to release/emulsify soils up from the surface. Cleaning solution mixture is then rinsed off with low-pressure and copious amounts of running water. Alkaline, emulsion or solvent based cleaning compounds can be used in the WetWash/Rinse cleaning program.

A WIPE ON / WIPE DRY wash is simply a chemical wipe down of an aircraft surface using a diluted form of cleaning solution. It is generally reserved for small, localized areas; for spot cleaning or debugging. The diluted chemical compound is applied to a target area manually with a mophead or scrub pad, or by an approved spray application. Surface soils are agitated directly with cloth, brush or mop/scrub pad. Loosened soils are removed by repeated wiping, usually with secondary clean, moist cloth or mop, until dry. The removal of all chemical mixed soils is essential because any remaining soap/soil residual may hold moisture which will attract soil. 

A ChemWipe is a cosmetic wipe on / wipe dry, waterless application. It’s the in between cleaning method that extends the shine of an aircraft’s exterior between maintenance services. It is a wipe-until-dry method of cleaning engineered to use polish/soil residual as a cleaner, gloss enhancer and protectant. As emulsified soap/soil is wiped from the surface, a degree of polish remains as a component of any residue. The ChemWipe process requires a fluff wipe-until-dry action that will remove any remaining dried soap/soil slurry and at the same time enhance the gloss factor.

No. The grades depend on the condition and type of metal you are polishing, as well as the result you want to achieve. Contact a NUVITE technical representative for your specific polishing requirements.

Absolutely! We recommend machines when polishing large surface areas for a more aggressive and consistent finish.

2 years.

Yes, NuShine II grades can be used on anodized aluminum to clean and shine. Other NUVITE products are also recommended depending on the finished result desired. Contact a NUVITE technical representative to learn more.

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