Cleaning the DA40 NG

Any DA40 related topics

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deeohgee
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Cleaning the DA40 NG

Post by deeohgee »

Hi all, new to the forum! Thanks for having me! I am going to have a lot of new owner questions. Here's a fun one to start!

Here are some cleaning questions:
- How do you wash your DA40 NG? Just like your car? Any recommendations?
- What products do you use for washing the DA40 NG?
- How do you keep your windscreen clean? Recommendation on products? I heard NOT to use Windex as it can tint your windows blue? Someone suggested Prist Windscreen Cleaner

Any other cleaning suggestions/recommendations? Would like to keep it looking pristine!

Thanks!
MU
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Chris
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Re: Cleaning the DA40 NG

Post by Chris »

There are several threads on the forum about various cleaning products. Here's a link to one of them that contains a couple of links to older ones.

NB: I generally find Google does a better job at finding old threads than the search bar. Example here.
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Colin
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Re: Cleaning the DA40 NG

Post by Colin »

That thread Chris pointed to will have specific products, which is nice. Most airports I have been at in the US have a "wash rack." That's a place with hoses and concrete sloped to the drains. I would spray, sponge on soapy water, spray again, and be done. Just like with washing your car you can go much, much further. A friend showed me "ceramic" a bunch of years ago and that was amazing, but not something I would take the time to do. Near the end of my tenure in Santa Monica I started thinking about getting a creeper to wash the belly and the underside of the wings.
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Boatguy
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Re: Cleaning the DA40 NG

Post by Boatguy »

I've never washed my plane with water in 2 1/2 years.

After every flight I wipe away the bugs with Aero Wash/Wax, one of their soft scrubbers, and a microfiber towel. Then I clean the canopy with Plexus. I have this stuff in a travel kit when I'll be away from home for more than a few days.

Once a month clean the empennage and tail with wash/wax.

Every three months, with the help of an AeroCreeper, I use Griot's Garage Bug and Smudge remover to clean the belly, then a second pass with the Wash/Wax.
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