The Complete Guide to Aircraft Exterior Detailing
Everything from pre-wash inspection to final wax. Built for professional aviation detailing crews.
Pre-wash inspection
Before touching a single aircraft, document everything. Walk the entire aircraft and photograph any existing damage, corrosion, bird strikes, or fluid stains. Log this in CoreOP under the job's pre-service checklist. This protects your business and sets expectations with the client. Check for paint delamination or bubbling, oil or hydraulic fluid leaks around engine cowlings, bird strike damage on leading edges, and existing scratches before work begins.
Rinsing and surface prep
Start with a thorough pre-rinse using low pressure water. High pressure can force water into avionics bays, static wicks, and pitot tubes. Use a soft flow nozzle at 40 plus inches from sensitive areas. For heavy soiling on belly sections and engine cowlings, apply a pH-neutral pre-soak and let it dwell for 3 to 5 minutes. Never let chemical dwell on hot surfaces or in direct sunlight.
Washing protocol
Use the two-bucket method. One bucket for clean soap solution, one for rinsing your wash mitt. Work top down, section by section. Aviation grade wash soap should be pH 7 to 8 to protect clear coats and anodized aluminum. Fuselage sections: soft microfiber wash mitt. Engine cowlings and exhaust areas: dedicated stiffer brush. Windshields: clean separate mitt, never cross contaminate.
Polishing and paint correction
For paint corrected finishes, a dual-action polisher is safest on aircraft aluminum. Use a light cutting compound for swirl removal, followed by a finishing polish. Always test on a small inconspicuous area first, especially on older or repainted aircraft. Log product usage in CoreOP's job card so your crew tracks product consumption and you can accurately cost each job.
Protective coatings
Seal the work with an aviation approved sealant or ceramic coating. Ceramic coatings offer 12 to 18 months of protection and are increasingly requested by charter operators and high net worth aircraft owners. Document coating application date and product batch in CoreOP's service history. This lets you trigger reminder quotes when it is time for reapplication.