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Whether you rent airplanes or own one, you have most certainly come across dirty and bug-covered windshields that need a good cleaning. Cleaning aircraft windshields does require some care and we will talk about a few products we use or have used on our airplanes.
There are several things to consider when looking for the best aircraft window cleaners:
1. Safety: The cleaner should be non-toxic and safe to use on aircraft windows. In addition, ammonia based cleaners such as Windex, should be avoided. Ammonia will cause tiny cracks in your windshield and will distort the light shining through, and eventually make it difficult to see. When in doubt, water with a soft cloth will do the trick most of the time.
2. Effectiveness: The cleaner should be able to effectively remove bugs, dirt, grime, and other contaminants from the windows.
3. Ease of use: The cleaner should be easy to apply and wipe off, without leaving streaks or residue.
4. Compatibility: The cleaner should be compatible with the materials used in aircraft windows (e.g. acrylic, polycarbonate). As mentioned, care must be taken not to use products that will damage the windshield.
Here are our list of some of our recommended windshield cleaning products we use on our aircrafts:
Composiclean makes a great line of cleaning products, including ones to clean wash and wax composite aircraft. I used their View Polish product for many years and it worked very well to remove bugs of the windshield. Unfortunately, for the past few years, this product is not easy to find, at least in North America, though it seems some inventory is available in Europe at the time of writing this post. Nonetheless, our other recommendations below also work great!
The 210 Plastic Cleaner and Polish is a 2-in-1 that will clean and polish the windshield. This cleaner requires a little longer to soak into the contaminants before wiping it off with a microfiber cloth, but it works well and leaves a fresh scent after cleaning
210 Plastic Cleaner and Polish is a specialized 2-in-1 product designed to clean and polish plastic surfaces. It is a blend of mild cleaners and protectants that work together to remove dirt, grime, and other impurities while restoring the shine and luster of plastic.
Benefits of Using 210 Plastic Cleaner and Polish
Restores the original shine and color of plastic surfaces
Protects plastic surfaces against fading and discoloration
Anti-static and Anti-fog
Prevents oxidation, cracking, and fading due to exposure to the elements
Easy to apply and dries quickly
Safe for use on all types of plastic surfaces
Leaves a pleasant scent
This cleaner does however require you to leave it on the surface a little longer to soak into the contaminants before wiping it off with a microfiber cloth
How to Use 210 Plastic Cleaner and Polish
Using the 210 Plastic Cleaner and Polish is easy and straightforward. Simply spray a small amount of the product onto a soft microfiber cloth or directly onto the plastic surface, then wipe it in a straight line vertical motion (not circular motion) until the surface is clean and shiny.
For best results, use the cleaner and polish regularly to maintain the shine and luster of plastic surfaces.
Plexus Plastic Cleaner is a powerful, multi-purpose cleaner that was initially designed specifically for use on aircraft windshield. It seals the pores in plastic surfaces with a micro-thin layer of shiny, protective wax, plastic becomes resistant to debris, oil, scratches, and eventual yellowing.
Benefits of Using Plexus Plastic Cleaner
Cleans and restores the original shine and color of plastic surfaces
Protects plastic surfaces against fading, discoloration, and oxidation
Prevents cracking and fading due to exposure to the elements
Easy to apply and dries quickly
Safe for use on all types of plastic surfaces
Clear View Plastic Foam Cleaner was also first developed for aircraft use and it is safe for use on both plastic and glass. This foaming cleaner leaves a shiny finish with no residue and does not contain ammonia. It easily removes bugs and from windshields. Clearview also makes a cleaner and polish that works on soft vinyl windows.
Regardless of which cleaner you use, it is important to regularly clean and protect your aircraft from bugs, dirt and grime and keep your windshield looking clear for many years to come.