When an aircraft sits on the ground, it loses money. Every minute spent on ground operations, including maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO), means less time in the air making a profit. Yet, one of the most critical parts of keeping a fleet in good shape is frequently treated as a routine chore: the aircraft cleaning checklist.
A poor wash job does more than hurt your brand’s image. Dirt, grease, and trapped moisture cause parts to wear out much faster, turning routine care into a major headache. For over 25 years, Airserve has supported the aviation industry across the MENA region as a trusted distributor of high-quality maintenance products. We know that a checklist is only as good as the cleaning products you use.
A reliable aircraft cleaning workflow requires specific, approved products to keep operations running smoothly and efficiently.
1. Pre-Flight Visual Cleanliness Inspections
Before an aircraft takes off, ground crews do a quick visual check. The goal here is to spot immediate safety issues, like dirt blocking sensors, smudged windows, or fluid leaks.
Using basic window sprays can cause tiny scratches or leave a film on sensitive cockpit windows. Crews trust specialized products like Glass Act (an ammonia-free window cleaner) or Zip-Chem’s X-405 to get perfectly clear windows without risking any damage to the surfaces.
2. Cabin Cleaning Checklist
The inside of the plane needs deep disinfection using products that won’t damage the interior materials.
- Hard Surfaces: Deep cleaning tray tables, armrests, and galleys requires disinfectants that do not stain. Products like Noviruclean or Zip-Chem’s Calla® 1452 offer strong virus protection without harming interior plastics or leather.
- Soft Surfaces & Deodorizing: To clean deep stains in fabrics and carpets, biological cleaners like Kleenzyme use natural enzymes to destroy bad odors at the source instead of just hiding them.
3. Exterior Aircraft Cleaning Checklist
The outside of the plane goes through extreme temperature changes, sun exposure, and dirt buildup.
- Wet Washing & Foam Cleaning: Everyday detergents must rinse away completely without leaving streaks. Using an approved option like Aviokleen I or a concentrated cleaner like Calla® 500 protects aluminum and steel parts from chemical damage.
- Eco-Friendly Dry Washing: When you cannot use water or have airport restrictions, advanced dry-wash pastes like AN 2001P or Jet Brite™ 550 clean and polish the paint at the same time, leaving a bright protective shine.
4. Aircraft Belly & Landing Gear Cleaning Checklist
The underbelly and wheel areas collect the heaviest, worst grease: oily soils, brake dust, and hydraulic fluids like Skydrol®.
- Simple soaps will not cut through this thick grime. Teams rely on heavy-duty cleaners like Aviokleen HD or highly concentrated degreasers like Wheelie to safely clean landing gears and wheel hubs without hurting the surrounding rubber and plastic parts.
- For landing gear parts, convenient pre-soaked wipes like Strut Wipe-756 or Surprep 5606 Wipes ensure you apply the cleaner exactly where it is needed to protect delicate seals.
5. Corrosion Inspection Checklist & Post-Maintenance Checks
Cleaning is your best protection against rust and structural damage. Once old tapes, dirt, and paint are stripped away using specialized paint removers like B&B™ 9095, inspectors can easily check for hidden damage.
After maintenance is done, applying rust-preventing formulas like Corban® 23 or Corban® 35 stops moisture from getting trapped and forms a long-lasting protective layer. If old rust-protection residue needs to be cleared away for a fresh inspection, safe solvent cleaners like Bioact® 108 work perfectly without using dangerous chemicals.
Streamline Your Fleet Maintenance with Airserve
An excellent checklist requires a reliable supply partner. At Airserve, we keep large stocks of certified, manufacturer-approved aviation chemicals ready to ship from global leaders like Zip-Chem, Vantage, and Orapi. By providing top-tier aviation products alongside expert support, we help local operators cut down delivery wait times and get products with a longer shelf life.
Ready to simplify your maintenance supply strategy?
Contact Airserve today to request a free product demonstration or trial.