Have you considered setting up your own aircraft washing service lately? Perhaps you are a private pilot and are looking to make some extra monies. Indeed it can be a very good business to own and a whole lot of fun also. I started my first aircraft cleaning business at age twelve and built up a huge clientele and branched into other types of washing. Let us face it, if a 12-year old can start an aircraft washing business so can you.
Chemicals and cleaning products are important in the aircraft washing business and you need to understand which ones can and cannot be used on which surfaces, for corrosion protection and new high-tech lightweight paints. Waxes are even more critical, as some paints like Polyurethanes and Imrons breath and therefore silicones, Teflons and such are problematic. Some polymer chain waxes too and even some soaps also contain in their ingredients.
My company; The Aircraft Wash Guys does not do the volume to afford to be in the business of chemicals, due to the costs to make them and the over regulations in the industry so we cannot sell you any. At one time Private labeling made sense and we did talk with a firm out of Houston and one in Dallas which has FAA approved products and also Military Mil Spec stuff.
We found a whole lot of talk and claims and not much reality based know-how of modern day aircraft paints, which are changing very rapidly along with the coating industry. It is for this reason you will need to shop around for your aircraft cleaning supplies. Here is an example of the problems with aircraft washing soaps, as we approved this soap and polish line, only to switch it 4 months later and then switch back again:
http://www.carwashguys.com/081402_1.shtml
It would behoove you to carefully consider your aircraft washing and cleaning products and pay attention to the types of paints and coatings you will be dealing with in order to protect your customers aircraft. Please consider all this in 2006.
