How To Polish Metal Leading Edges & Quickly Dry A Wing

[@smokeabobreefer]

I just did a global and the metal on it was crazy. You got me started on a hawker 400 3 months ago I’ve been busy since. 😎

[@basilisk9655]

That Brightwork is already clean! Should see some brightwork that sat outside for a month.

[@theundertaker7447]

Now that's how it's done. Thanks Chad!

[@smokeabobreefer]

Thank u

[@robertfolmer8634]

Hi guys very informative. Just one question. What is the purpose of doing this? Is this purely cosmetica?

[@johnsmithy9304]

Want to get rid of scratches on an airstream can you give some info on tools being used.

[@benklotz6881]

Hi, my name is Ben and I have a free lance business with cleaning airplanes and I’m just curious what was the product called? And what type of pad do you guys use? Also when it comes to buffing leading edges do I have to consider which type of aircraft I buff edge on? I’ve been told there’s various ways and products to buff. Can you help me? Thank you.

[@MRi2thesky]

Ben Klotz in this particular case we showcased Optimum Metal Polish from Optimum Polymer Technologies. We utilized an MT300 standard throw DA with a microfiber cutting pad. MF pads are ideal for working bare aircraft aluminum. A few things to consider when polishing leading edge brightwork is speed of the tool and speed of your passes. Slower is faster! Constant tool movement is critical in not allowing heat to build up. Overheating the aluminum causes carbon embrittlement and subsequently leads to stress fractures. As far as depth and amount of times the surface can be reworked, that will have to be determined by an Airframe and Powerplant Technician. If the leading edge is riveted in place there are usually tiny indentations in the flush rivet. This determines the depth that can be polished in the vicinity of the rivet line. If your indentations or "dots" begin to disappear, STOP! If not you'll weaken the rivets and risk an inflight separation of the wing. I hope that this covers your question. Keep em flying clean!

[@tonehouseny187]

Hey Ben 15 + year Aircraft detailer, & Manager of QC & Aircraft Appearance at a Private Jet Company. To answer your question more directly. The type of pads used first. There are more than 1 pax available, all serve a different purpose. First what kind of machine are you using? Cyclo, Orbital, Rotary? All have pads that work best for the application needed. Most of the time you go with a med foam pad, or microfiber pad. Stay away from wool pads unless you are refinishing a new or repaired leading edge that has a brushed finish. My preferred buffer is a Cyclo dual head or a single head or orbital. They provide the best results. To answer your second question, different planes have different wings. If you were to polish a G5’s brightwork, it’s pretty straight forward, tape off all you edges, up the winglets, and don’t forget to tape all the lights off. ( very important not to damage them) then you buff away, but if you were doing the brightwork on a Hawker 800 it’s a totally different ballgame. The 800 has a weeping wing. It has pouris sections that actually leak out TKS fluid( anti ice glycol) its very important you do not under any circumstances polish those surfaces. I always use paper to cover them and mask the edges. If you polish the pouris wing you can cause catastrophic damage. Some planes have extending forward slats, process for that is different as well. Finally product, the product featured here is a great product that I use myself. Only issue is it’s best on lightly oxidation wings. I find if 1 of our birds is out for long periods of time, and not having bright work done for 4-6 months, especially in the winter with deicing and all I need much more abrasive compounds. That’s when I switch to nuvite. It’s very expensive, but comes in over 10 different levels of abrasiveness. Sometimes I have planes with new leading edges due to all types of factors, but they are installed and have a brushed finish. This makes things very difficult. I’ll stop for now, but good luck in your detailing endeavors. My advise to you is don’t take on any jobs you aren’t sure you can handle. One mistake and you can take a plane out of the sky in a very horrific manor. Insurance is high, risk is even higher. Always make sure you do things slow and triple check everything you do. Also I personal never put my equipment on top of an aircraft wing as shown in this video, better safe than sorry. I keep all my tools and supplies on a rolling cart. Great video guys.

[@mypassion830]

Just came across this video as a part-time private jet detailer you never put your equipment on anywhere on the plane you should always work from a cart to prevent damage.

[@oscarlucio112]

Dan 073 soft

[@vincenzoluisi5916]

Me thinks your bearings are going bad

[@mikemoir9600]

Not interested in 30 seconds of intro.... too long..clockrd out!