Cleaning engine compartment

Groundpounder

Groundpounder

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Emerson Bigguns
The engine compartment on my airplane got covered in a ton of dust while it was being painted. What is the best way to clean it? Obviously not taking a pressure washer to it, but trying to wipe everything down with a rag is a little time consuming. Can I used compressed air to help with the process, or could that cause an issue with getting dust places it shouldn't really be?
 
Like the cowling? Fly through some rain? I used carbonX on the cowling interior, works great.
 
This guy figured it out..........

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Groundpounder said:
What is the best way to clean it?
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If just dust a water hose and nozzle will work. Just keep away from the important items like vacuum pumps, mags, air filters, etc. If you need to clean some oil as well get a varsol gun and mineral spirits and clean it. Stay away from the same important parts. Once clean be sure to give a ground run and flight to dry it off and make sure no issues. Don't forget to relube any hinges, etc after the wash. If you live in areas that dont allow washing run-off on the ground, get you a cheap kidde pool to collect it.
 
I use mineral spirits in a pressurized sprayer and lots of cardboard on the floor for oil.
If you are talking paint overspray then I would use a rag only and be ****ed that the engine was not covered before paint
 
Dry ice blasting - expensive, but effective
 
A resounding „yes“. If you pay $$$ for new paint in our days it should be at least close to perfect. If there is overspray, I would blame the paint shop and give them the opportunity to fix it or pony at least half of the bill.
 
I just had my plane repainted by one of the best shops in the country. I too had bodywork dust on my new engine. That powered dust from sanding body filler and primer floats into everything. The shop did a terrific job of sealing the interior cabin which had zero shop dust, and plastic wrapped the engine which stopped most of it.

Water is not recommended as it will harden residue on the crevices of firewall stiffeners and other close fitted joints. A high pressure air gun with an extended tip wand is awesome. Blow the dust out. A cheap angled paint brush is helpful as well. The engine could be washed or rinsed after the initial dry cleaning.

This process worked for me and your milage may very. :7)
 
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