cleaning dirty fuselage

john firth

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Aug 15, 2026, 4:22:26 PMAug 15

to PIK20

Hullo to the outside tie down guys,

my PIK20E has bee tied down outside for several summers, wing covers only.

Since I bought it into the garage for minor repairs , I have realised how dirty

the fuselage is; there are a multitude of vertical streaks where the rain has run down.

Water plus clothes or dishwasher detergent has little effect; MEK being no longer

available here, I found acetone to be effective, but it is removing a bit of paint as well.

any ideas on a better cleaner?

regards to all,

John Firth

Ottawa

Michael Stockhill

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Aug 15, 2026, 5:15:54 PMAug 15

to john firth, PIK20

Stateside we have Super Clean and Purple Power. I enjoyed good success with either on my older RV that had similar streaks and oxidation on its fiberglass exterior. Spitballing, but those streaks are probably artifacts of water-borne contaminates, and these water-based cleaners may work better. Super Clean is more aggressive. Dilute to your taste.

Michael

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Narre Flyer

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Aug 15, 2026, 7:28:46 PMAug 15

to Michael Stockhill, john firth, PIK20

Hi All.

If I could add just one small piece of advice.

Do not use detergent on painted fibreglass !!!

Many people have done it, used only the best quality detergent etc, and found that their paint peeled, lifted or cracked at a later stage.

Cheers.

Bernie.

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Varley Ibbo

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Aug 16, 2026, 3:57:59 AMAug 16

to Narre Flyer, Michael Stockhill, john firth, PIK20

Unfortunately, acetone dissolves paint and fibreglass. It tends to make fibreglass brittle and therefore structurally un-sound. I think any glider cleaned that way is scrap, ouch.

As for cleaners, avoid any containing silicon. This loads into the surface and makes it difficult to repair.

Many car shampoos have silicon in. Avoid use.

Kindest way to clean streaks is with orbital polisher and say Menzerna 3500grit silicon free polish.

Heres mine done by Menzerna 3500 and orbital polisher.

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Narre Flyer

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Aug 16, 2026, 5:43:46 AMAug 16

to Varley Ibbo, Michael Stockhill, john firth, PIK20

Hi All.

All major repairers that I know use acetone to clean gliders and as far I know has no effect in the short term of any fully cured paint. It shouldn't therefore get to the glass.

Silicon is removed with most solvents and while avoidance is preferred, it's not a problem to repairers.

Both of the above comments come from major repairers.

Please be aware, there are lots of myths in gliding.

Cheers.

Bernie.

Varley Ibbo

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Aug 16, 2026, 6:07:50 AMAug 16

to Narre Flyer, Michael Stockhill, john firth, PIK20

If removed immediately you probably ok. Still wouldnt choose it. We use acetone to clean resin off brushes. If left on I think u will get damage, and with old pu paint u get microcracks which if present will lead to possible damage😋

Narre Flyer

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Aug 16, 2026, 7:24:34 AMAug 16

to Varley Ibbo, Michael Stockhill, john firth, PIK20

Yes, resin. Still soft and uncured.

Fully cured 2K paint is very tough.

Bret Hess

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Aug 16, 2026, 5:31:45 PMAug 16

to Narre Flyer, Varley Ibbo, Michael Stockhill, john firth, PIK20

Varley if you can find documentation that acetone hurts cured fiberglass, please post it.

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pik20/CAOANuQjGJGQzJLWF-KhhTRhY-Tx9p-9HKr%2Bqeqs7Nah5STtosQ%40mail.gmail.com.

Varley Ibbo

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Aug 16, 2026, 5:47:31 PMAug 16

to Narre Flyer, Michael Stockhill, john firth, PIK20

https://smartlifegarage.blog/does-acetone-hurt-fiberglass#safer-alternatives-for-routine-fiberglass-maintenance

john firth

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Aug 16, 2026, 6:32:37 PMAug 16

to Varley Ibbo, Narre Flyer, Michael Stockhill, PIK20

Maybe it depends on the resin; polyester or epoxy?

JMF

Francis Savage

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Aug 17, 2026, 1:29:01 AMAug 17

to john firth, Varley Ibbo, Narre Flyer, Michael Stockhill, PIK20

My PIK20E had very yellowed paint. I tried various grades of wet rub and polishes but resorted to acetone. It does dissolve the PU paint so must be used with caution.

During the 40 year survey performed by a certified workshop, I asked if they could try and improve the finish.

They also used acetone which helped a little but the paint is still quite dull. Almost a cream colour. If you use acetone, be prepared to follow up with machine polishing as it leaves a dull matte finish.

Frank

On 17 Aug 2026, at 08:02, john firth <johnf...@gmail.com> wrote:

Maybe it depends on the resin; polyester or epoxy?

JMF

On Sun, Aug 16, 2026 at 5:47 PM Varley Ibbo <varl...@gmail.com> wrote:

https://smartlifegarage.blog/does-acetone-hurt-fiberglass#safer-alternatives-for-routine-fiberglass-maintenance

On Sun, 16 Aug 2026 at 12:24, Narre Flyer <narre...@gmail.com> wrote:

Yes, resin. Still soft and uncured.
Fully cured 2K paint is very tough.

On Sun, 16 Aug 2026 at 20:07, Varley Ibbo <varl...@gmail.com> wrote:

If removed immediately you probably ok. Still wouldnt choose it. We use acetone to clean resin off brushes. If left on I think u will get damage, and with old pu paint u get microcracks which if present will lead to possible damage😋

On Sun, 16 Aug 2026 at 10:43, Narre Flyer <narre...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hi All.
All major repairers that I know use acetone to clean gliders and as far I know has no effect in the short term of any fully cured paint. It shouldn't therefore get to the glass.
Silicon is removed with most solvents and while avoidance is preferred, it's not a problem to repairers.
Both of the above comments come from major repairers.

Please be aware, there are lots of myths in gliding.

Cheers.
Bernie.

On Sun, 16 Aug 2026 at 17:57, Varley Ibbo <varl...@gmail.com> wrote:

Unfortunately, acetone dissolves paint and fibreglass. It tends to make fibreglass brittle and therefore structurally un-sound. I think any glider cleaned that way is scrap, ouch.
As for cleaners, avoid any containing silicon. This loads into the surface and makes it difficult to repair.
Many car shampoos have silicon in. Avoid use.

Kindest way to clean streaks is with orbital polisher and say Menzerna 3500grit silicon free polish.

<IMG_6867.jpeg>

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pik20/CAEWN4G8XZ9_ro1BsD%3DK%2Bvw0BmVWMFa5U4envx2k9E-g3f1mbLw%40mail.gmail.com.

Varley Ibbo

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Aug 17, 2026, 5:10:07 AMAug 17

to Francis Savage, john firth, Narre Flyer, Michael Stockhill, PIK20

Bottom line is to remove all paint as most piks are 50 yrs old. Use flexible car body shop removal tool, rub down, spray grey epoxy primer, rub down, final coat spray pu paint, flat that down and then machine polish. Its like new, coz it is. Don't use a machine tool to remove paint layers, its too vicious, u need to inspect the fibreglass surface for cracks before you re-paint.

Much sweat and labour, done my fuz and tailplane, eyeing up the wings next. Lots of friends and many beers helps.

May god bless all who adventure with HMS Acetone.

Of course, if a rich man, tow it off to a professional and pay him £circa20k.

😁

john firth

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Aug 17, 2026, 12:25:47 PMAug 17

to Varley Ibbo, Francis Savage, Narre Flyer, Michael Stockhill, PIK20

Have just tried CH3 OH, METHANOL It removes the dirt streaks but does not touch the paint.

JMF

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