Aircraft detailing is the most regulated, most precise, and most expensive corner of the cleaning industry. The surfaces are aerospace-grade aluminum or painted composite, the cleaners must be aviation-approved, and the wrong product in the wrong place can corrode a panel or cloud a windshield — neither of which is fixable cheaply.
This guide is written for owners, pilots, and FBO operators who want to understand what professional aircraft detailing actually involves, and what mobile hangar-side service should deliver. RabbitWash handles aircraft requests through a vetted network of detailers experienced in general aviation work, dispatching to Van Nuys (VNY), Long Beach (LGB), John Wayne (SNA), and Hawthorne (HHR).
Why aircraft are different
FAA-approved products only
Cleaners used on aircraft surfaces must meet specifications like Boeing D6-17487 (cleaning compounds) or AMS 1526 (exterior cleaning). Using a random automotive degreaser can leave residues that corrode aluminum or interfere with paint adhesion at the next refinish.
Aluminum corrosion is a structural concern
Saltwater coastal hangars, hangar floors with battery acid spills, and even mild cleaning residues left in seams can initiate galvanic corrosion. Inspecting belly panels, wing roots, and trailing edges is part of every proper aircraft wash.
Windshields are specialty surfaces
Aircraft windshields are typically acrylic (PPG or LP Aero) — they scratch easily and have a specific cleaning protocol. Paper towels and ammonia-based glass cleaner cause permanent damage. Aviation-grade windshield cleaner + clean cotton flannel is the only acceptable method.
Leather and avionics interiors
Interiors mix high-grade leather, wool carpet, electronics, and sometimes wood veneers — Cessna, Cirrus, and turbine cabins all want different leather chemistries. Wrong product on a cockpit panel can fog plastic instrument lenses.
What a proper exterior aircraft wash includes
Pre-wash inspection
Walk-around with the owner or PIC. Document any existing paint chips, corrosion spots, or panel damage before washing. This protects both parties.
Dry wipe-down
Light dust on a clean aircraft is removed with a treated dust cloth before water touches the airframe. This prevents abrasive particles from being dragged across paint by the wash mitt.
Wet wash
FAA-approved cleaner diluted to manufacturer specification, applied with soft mitt panel-by-panel. Pre-treated areas like leading edges, anti-collision lights, and pitot tubes get individual attention. Pitot tubes are never sprayed — they get hand-wiped with damp microfiber only.
Belly cleaning
Often the dirtiest panel. Oil leaks, exhaust soot, and brake dust all collect here. Belly cleaner is solvent-based and aluminum-safe. Always rinsed thoroughly to prevent residue corrosion.
Wheel wells and brakes
Brake dust and hydraulic-fluid residue. Aviation degreaser, dwell, rinse. Never spray directly into brake calipers.
Rinse and dry
Final rinse with deionized water if available (prevents water spots on paint and avionics windows). Hand-dry with cotton flannel or aircraft chamois — never microfiber that has been used on automotive applications (cross-contamination risk).
Polish, wax, and ceramic for aircraft
Aircraft polish is engineered for high-altitude UV resistance and low static buildup. A typical pro service includes:
- Polish every 12–24 months to maintain paint gloss and reduce surface drag.
- Aviation wax or sealant applied after polish, lasting 4–6 months.
- Ceramic coatings formulated for aviation use are starting to appear; they last 2–3 years and reduce wash time significantly. They are not yet universally accepted by all airframe manufacturers — check your maintenance program.
Interior detailing
- Vacuum carpet and seat cracks with HEPA filter (avionics dust sensitivity)
- Leather seats: cleaner + conditioner appropriate to leather type (cockpit vs cabin)
- Wool carpet shampoo with low-moisture extraction (avoids drying issues)
- Window cleaning with aviation acrylic cleaner only
- Avionics panel: dry microfiber only — no chemicals on screens
- Galley and lav deep clean (FAR Part 25 / Part 23 aircraft)
How often to detail an aircraft
- After every flight in marine air: Dry wipe-down or fresh-water rinse if salt is suspected.
- Monthly: Full exterior wash, belly clean, interior light detail.
- Quarterly: Wax/sealant reapplication, window restoration, leather conditioning.
- Annually: Full polish, interior deep clean, paint inspection.
Tied-down aircraft outdoors in California sun need more frequent attention than hangared birds — UV damages paint and seals faster than airtime does for most GA aircraft.
Where mobile aircraft detailing happens
Almost always at the hangar or tie-down. The aircraft does not move for cleaning — the detailer comes with self-contained water (FBO hookups available at most airports), and the work happens during a scheduled appointment with the FBO or hangar operator.
Service airports we routinely dispatch to:
- Van Nuys (VNY) — largest general aviation airport in the US, multiple FBOs
- Long Beach (LGB)
- John Wayne / Orange County (SNA)
- Hawthorne Municipal (HHR)
- Santa Monica (SMO) — until closure timing
- Compton (CPM), Whiteman (WHP) for smaller aircraft
Pricing reference
Aircraft detailing pricing varies more than any other category because surface area, paint condition, and interior complexity differ wildly. Rough ranges:
- Single-engine piston (Cessna 172, Cirrus SR22): $300–$700 exterior wash + interior light
- Twin piston (Beechcraft Baron, Cessna 414): $500–$1,200
- Light jet (Citation M2, Phenom 100): $1,500–$3,500 full detail
- Midsize jet (Citation XLS, Hawker 800): $3,000–$7,000
- Heavy jet: quoted individually
Polish and full-detail packages run 2–3x these numbers depending on paint condition and time since last service.
What FBOs and flight departments want from detail service
- COI (Certificate of Insurance) on file — most FBOs require $1M+ aviation liability.
- Background-checked personnel.
- FAA-aware products and procedures.
- Scheduled service windows (between flights, not interrupting ops).
- Photo documentation before/after for client billing transparency.
All of these are baseline for RabbitWash aircraft service dispatches.
Submit a hangar visit request
Aircraft work is quoted individually after a hangar walk-through. Submit a request through your account with aircraft type, tail number, base airport, and scope requested. A Rabbit familiar with general aviation will visit the hangar within 48 hours and return with a written quote.
