How often should an aircraft be detailed?

Most owners run a full aircraft exterior detail every 60 to 90 days, with dry wipe-downs between trips. High-salt coastal environments and heavy utilisation shorten that to every 30 to 45 days, because bonded contaminants hold moisture against the paint. Where the aircraft sleeps, what it flies through and whether the paint is protected all move the interval.

Will exterior detailing chemistry harm my paint warranty?

The chemistry for an aircraft exterior detail is chosen from the aircraft maker's approved-materials data and the operator's list, and nothing outside that list is used. Every product is documented on the work order, and the chemistry list goes into the aircraft record, so a paint shop, a warranty claim or a pre-buy inspector can see exactly what touched the paint.

Are static ports, probes and antennas protected during a wash?

Yes. During an aircraft exterior detail, static wicks, antennas and probes are inspected and protected, never sprayed or wiped, and nothing is sprayed into static ports or drain masts. The airframe is hand-dried with plush aviation towels, with no rotary buffing, and the crew walks the aircraft under portable LED light before it is signed off.

How are acrylic windows cleaned during an exterior detail?

Acrylic windows are cleaned only with an approved transparency cleaner and a clean microfiber. Household glass cleaner is never used on them: LP Aero's window care guidance warns that ammonia causes crazing in acrylic, and crazing cannot be polished out. Haze and light scratching are handled separately by the aircraft window polishing service.

Aircraft Exterior Detailing | Global Ties Aviation

What is aircraft exterior detailing?

Exterior detailing is a full wash, decontamination and hand-finish of the airframe. It removes the bonded contaminants that cause corrosion and paint failure if left in place, and every job is documented to the aircraft record. Your final price is confirmed by our team for your specific airframe and condition.

BY GLOBAL TIES AVIATION · UPDATED 2026-10-01

What does aircraft exterior detailing include?

Full airframe wash, top-down, with chemistry cleared for the aircraft by its maker's data and the operator's list
Bug and exhaust-soot removal from leading edges and belly
Decontamination of paint to remove bonded fallout
Hand dry with plush aviation towels, no rotary buffing
Landing gear, wheel wells and brake dust removal
Static wicks, antennas and probes inspected and protected, never sprayed or wiped

Which products are used?

pH-neutral aviation wash concentrate
Chemistry chosen from the aircraft maker's approved-materials data
Deionized water final rinse

How is the work checked?

Walkaround under portable LED before sign-off
Leading edges inspected for residual soot
Acrylic windows cleaned only with an approved transparency cleaner and a clean microfiber

Every checkpoint is written to the aircraft record with the job.

WHY AIRCRAFT EXTERIOR DETAILING MATTERS

Bonded contaminants hold moisture against the paint. Removing them on a schedule is the difference between a repaint at twelve years and a repaint at seven.

What affects the price of aircraft exterior detailing?

Aircraft class and size, from a piston single to an airliner
Condition: how much soot, bug residue and bonded fallout is on the paint
Scope: whether the landing gear, wheel wells and belly are included
Where the aircraft is and the travel to reach it

Because these change from one aircraft to the next, we do not publish a sticker price. Send the booking request: a person at Global Ties Aviation reviews the aircraft and confirms the scope, the price and the timing with you before anything is scheduled. Nothing is charged without your approval.

Which aircraft do we service?

Aircraft Exterior Detailing is scoped for every aircraft class the booking form takes, from piston singles to airliners in VIP configuration.

PistonCirrus SR22, Baron 58
TurbopropKing Air 350, TBM 960
Light JetPhenom 300, CJ4
MidsizeLearjet 75, Hawker 900XP
Super-MidChallenger 350, Citation Longitude
HeavyGlobal 7500, Gulfstream G650
HelicopterAW139, Bell 429
Airliner / VIPBBJ, ACJ320

Questions about aircraft exterior detailing

How often should an aircraft be detailed?: Most owners run a full aircraft exterior detail every 60 to 90 days, with dry wipe-downs between trips. High-salt coastal environments and heavy utilisation shorten that to every 30 to 45 days, because bonded contaminants hold moisture against the paint. Where the aircraft sleeps, what it flies through and whether the paint is protected all move the interval. How often should a private jet be detailed?
Will exterior detailing chemistry harm my paint warranty?: The chemistry for an aircraft exterior detail is chosen from the aircraft maker's approved-materials data and the operator's list, and nothing outside that list is used. Every product is documented on the work order, and the chemistry list goes into the aircraft record, so a paint shop, a warranty claim or a pre-buy inspector can see exactly what touched the paint.
Are static ports, probes and antennas protected during a wash?: Yes. During an aircraft exterior detail, static wicks, antennas and probes are inspected and protected, never sprayed or wiped, and nothing is sprayed into static ports or drain masts. The airframe is hand-dried with plush aviation towels, with no rotary buffing, and the crew walks the aircraft under portable LED light before it is signed off.
How are acrylic windows cleaned during an exterior detail?: Acrylic windows are cleaned only with an approved transparency cleaner and a clean microfiber. Household glass cleaner is never used on them: LP Aero's window care guidance warns that ammonia causes crazing in acrylic, and crazing cannot be polished out. Haze and light scratching are handled separately by the aircraft window polishing service. Aircraft window polishing

Guides on aircraft exterior detailing

Book aircraft exterior detailing All 13 services

Where we work: the DMV, Florida and Las Vegas so far, and available to service aircraft in all 50 US states. See where we work or call (877) 844-8220.

Aircraft Exterior Detailing