Cleaning 100LL off painted surfaces

J

JVerb

Pre-takeoff checklist
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Fuel truck over filled and asking with the cops weather, we now have congealed streaks of a gas on our 182.

Other than using more 100LL to clean it off (which I dislike due to how sticky of a mess that is, plus, lead), what's a good cleaner that won't damage the paint?
 
PlanePerfect’s Buddy Belly. Great stuff for grease and grime. Tried it a few years ago and haven’t gone back.
 
aviation simple green
 
Sun will bleach out the blue stains after a while. I had a hard time getting anything to work completely, but over time it just went away.
 
JVerb said:
Fuel truck over filled and asking with the cops weather, we now have congealed streaks of a gas on our 182.

Other than using more 100LL to clean it off (which I dislike due to how sticky of a mess that is, plus, lead), what's a good cleaner that won't damage the paint?
Click to expand...
Use gloves.

Why does using 100LL create a sticky mess? What have you put on your plane? I've cleaned 100LL stains off my wheel pants and never encountered anything sticky.
 
The only time 100LL creates a sticky mess is when it is mixed with sealant from leaks around filler ports, drain values, etc., or with tape glue residue from the outside of bladder tanks.
 
Any of the petroleum-based solvents would work. I use mineral spirits.
 
Most cleaner wax products work for me.
 
Domenick said:
Use gloves.

Why does using 100LL create a sticky mess? What have you put on your plane? I've cleaned 100LL stains off my wheel pants and never encountered anything sticky.
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When it congeals. Most fuels are sticky when they congeal and need cleaned up; I learned 100LL does it, too.
 
JVerb said:
Fuel truck over filled and asking with the cops weather, we now have congealed streaks of a gas on our 182.

Other than using more 100LL to clean it off (which I dislike due to how sticky of a mess that is, plus, lead), what's a good cleaner that won't damage the paint?
Click to expand...
When my fuel tank was leaking I would have fuel all the way down the side of the plane.
Like said above I used mineral spirits and aero glaze to get it off. Never left any stains.
 
I've noticed brake cleaner works very well at removing the blue stains.
 
Yup, brake cleaner, as recommended by Oratex. It might strip off the paint on your Cessna, but you live and your learn.
 
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