Aircraft Cleaning & Polishing Supplies

Aircraft cleaning supplies: wash, polish, and protect every surface

Cleaning an aircraft is not the same as washing a car. The paint, aluminum, composite, and acrylic surfaces on an airplane react badly to ammonia, harsh solvents, and abrasive pads, and a scratched windshield or stripped wax coat is expensive to fix. The aviation cleaning supplies below are grouped by the three jobs pilots and owners do most: clean and protect the exterior, clean and clear the windows, and wipe down and freshen the cabin. Click any product for current pricing and details.

Compare aircraft cleaning products at a glance

Types of aircraft cleaning supplies

Exterior wash and wax

The Wash Wax ALL waterless kit cleans and protects painted and bare-metal surfaces without a hose or wash bay, which makes it ideal for ramps and hangars where water use is restricted. The included telescoping fiberglass pole reaches the top of the fuselage and the tail so you can work safely from the ground. A wax-and-seal step after washing helps shed bugs, exhaust film, and UV.

Windshield and Plexiglas care

Acrylic and Plexiglas windows scratch and craze easily, so they need products made for them. Prist PGC13 lifts bugs and grime without ammonia, while Aviation Laboratories Clear View polishes out hazing and light scratches to restore optical clarity. Pair either with a clean microfiber cloth, never paper towels or shop rags, which can leave fine scratches.

Wipes and cabin freshness

DuPont Sontara wipes are lint-free and durable, designed for aerospace detailing and wipe-down work where paper towels fall apart or shed. For the air inside the cabin, the Celeste Flight Fresh deodorant disc controls lingering odor and the Celeste aromatherapy refresher towelettes freshen pilots and passengers on longer legs.

Brands we carry

This collection brings together trusted aviation-specific brands, including Wash Wax ALL waterless wash systems, Aviation Laboratories plastic polishes, Prist windshield cleaners, DuPont aerospace-grade wipes, and Celeste cabin air products. Each is chosen because it is formulated for aircraft surfaces and cabin environments rather than borrowed from the automotive or household aisle.

How to choose the right aircraft cleaning supplies

Start with the surface you are cleaning. For the painted exterior, choose a waterless wash and wax that is aluminum- and paint-safe so you can clean on the ramp without stripping protection. For windows, separate the jobs: use an acrylic-safe cleaner like Prist for routine grime, and a dedicated plastic polish like Clear View only when you need to remove hazing or light scratches. Keep aerospace-grade microfiber or lint-free wipes on hand for streak-free finishing, and add a cabin deodorizer if odor is an issue. Avoid anything with ammonia, Rain-X, or abrasives on windows, and never use a pressure washer, which can force water and chemicals into seams, bearings, and control surfaces. If you also need to secure the aircraft between cleanings, see our tie-downs, chocks, and gust locks, and browse the full range of aircraft supplies for hangar and maintenance gear.

Why buy from Pilot Mall

• Aviation only: we sell pilot and aircraft gear and nothing else, so our products are chosen for aviation surfaces, not borrowed from the car aisle.
• Aircraft-safe chemistry: the cleaners, polishes, and wipes here are formulated for paint, aluminum, composite, and acrylic.
• Trusted for 25-plus years: thousands of owners and pilots rely on Pilot Mall for cockpit and hangar gear.
• Free U.S. shipping over $100: stock up on cleaning supplies and qualify with one order.
• Expert guidance: talk to people who fly before you buy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you wash an aircraft?

Wash light enough to remove bugs, exhaust film, and dirt as they appear, and do a thorough wash every one to three months for most general aviation aircraft. Increase frequency if you fly often, operate near coastal salt air, or hangar outdoors, since salt and grime accelerate corrosion and paint wear.

What can I use to clean aircraft windows?

Use a cleaner made for acrylic and Plexiglas, such as Prist windshield cleaner, with a clean microfiber cloth. Wipe gently in straight strokes rather than circles. For hazing or fine scratches, follow with a dedicated plastic polish like Aviation Laboratories Clear View to restore clarity without damaging the surface.

Can you use Windex or household glass cleaner on aircraft windows?

No. Most household glass cleaners contain ammonia, which clouds and crazes acrylic and Plexiglas windows over time. Aircraft windows are not glass, so use only an acrylic-safe aviation cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Avoid Rain-X, abrasive pads, and paper towels, which leave fine scratches that scatter light.

How do you remove scratches from aircraft Plexiglas or acrylic windows?

Light surface scratches and hazing can be polished out with a plastic polish and scratch remover like Aviation Laboratories Clear View, applied with a clean microfiber cloth in gentle passes. Deep scratches that catch a fingernail may need professional refinishing or window replacement, since aggressive sanding can distort the optics.

Is a waterless wash safe for aircraft paint?

Yes, when you use an aviation-formulated product such as Wash Wax ALL and a clean microfiber towel. Waterless washes encapsulate dirt so it lifts away instead of grinding into the paint. Work on a cool surface, use a fresh towel face often, and the wash leaves a wax layer that protects against UV and film.

Can you use a pressure washer to clean an airplane?

No. A pressure washer can force water and chemicals past seals into bearings, hinges, antennas, static ports, and control-surface gaps, leading to corrosion and damage. Use a waterless wash or a low-pressure rinse with aircraft-safe soap and a soft mitt or mop instead, and dry with lint-free towels.