How to Choose the Perfect Aircraft Polish

Polishing your aircraft on a regular basis is imperative if you want to preserve the beauty of the plane and ensure it is safe to fly. But, if you’ve ever purchased an aircraft polish before, you know just how many options there are to choose from. Does it matter which polish you use? Absolutely. Polishing is a time-consuming task, so don’t waste your time using a polish that won’t give you the results you need. Here’s what you should look for when choosing an aircraft polish:

Consistency

Polish must have a good consistency. If the polish begins to run, you will have to put down your buffing tool to grab a cloth and clean up the mess. But, if the polish is too thick, it will be difficult to spread across the surface, and you may have to use a lot of the product to get the job done. This is not cost effective, so it’s recommended that you find a product somewhere in the middle with a creamy consistency. Test a small amount of the polish to check its consistency and ensure its right for your aircraft.

Aviation Approved

Look for a polish that has been aviation approved, which means it is safe to use on aircrafts. People often make the mistake of using a polish that is made for cars on their aircraft. But, the needs of an aircraft are very different than the needs of a car, so it’s always recommended you stick to a polish designed for planes, like Bright Work Aviation Metal Polish. You should also do your research to see which aircrafts each polish has been tested on. Bright Work has been passed the standards for the Boeing D6-17487, AirBus Aims09-00-002, AMS1650C, Douglas Aircraft CSD #1, and ASTM F 485. Looking for this information will help you narrow down your choices and find the best polish for your specific plane.

Stays Hydrated

Some polishes will begin to dry out as you polish, which means you will have to keep applying more product in order to continue. Polishes that dry out tend to leave a residue behind on the surface of your plane, so you will have to clean up after you’ve spent all that time polishing your aircraft. Avoid this problem by finding a polish that stays hydrated throughout the entire job.

Positive Online Reviews

If you don’t know many other aircraft owners, you can still see which polishes are preferred by pilots with a quick online search. Google the names of a few polishes you are interested in and read customer reviews to see the pros and cons of each. Did the product live up to its expectations? Was it easy to use? How expensive is it? You should be able to find unbiased answers to these questions online to help you make your final decision.

Compatibility

What kind of buffer will you be using to polish your plane? What about buffing pad? If you already have a buffer and buffing pads and are just looking for a polish, make sure the polish you choose will work well with the rest of your equipment. For example, it’s recommended that you use Bright Work polishes with a circular buffer and a wool pad to achieve the best results.

Removes Damage & Provides Shin

There are many aircraft polishes that focus solely on removing oxidation, water spots, and other signs of damage on the surface of your plane. Of course, removing these marks from your plane is important. But, don’t you want your aircraft to shine, too? Look for a polish that promises to not only protect your plane and remove signs of damage, but to also make it shine like it did the first day you bought it.
Likewise, there may be some products that only provide shine. This type of product may make your plane look more beautiful, but it won’t get rid of the scratches and water damage on the surface. For the perfect polishing job, look for a product that can remove damage and provide shine.

Fair Price

Owning an aircraft can be expensive, so you try to find deals on supplies every chance that you get. Aircraft polishes aren’t incredibly expensive, but you should look for brands that reward you for buying more of the product. For example, Bright Work offers customers quantity discounts, which means the more units of polish they purchase, the less they will have to spend per unit. The product definitely won’t  go to waste since you have to regularly polish your plane to properly maintain it, so why not buy more at once to save money?
If this is your first time polishing your aircraft, be sure to start small. You should always test new products on a small portion of your plane before applying it to the entire surface. Pick a spot with scratches, water spots, or oxidation so you can see how well the polish works. Once you have finished polishing a small part of the plane, examine it closely in a well-lit area. Even if it looks perfect inside a hangar, if you pull your aircraft out into the sunlight, you might be able to see things more clearly to get a better idea of how effective the product truly is. If the marks aren’t coming off your plane after a few tries, you may need to try a different polish that will be more effective.
If you’re looking for the perfect aircraft polish, look no further than the three-step Bright Work Polishes. First, use the red polish to remove heavy oxidation and scratches. Next, apply the white polish to remove light oxidation, water spots, and cloudiness on the exterior of your plane. Finish the job with the blue Bright Work polish, which is designed to give your aircraft a deep and long-lasting shine. With Bright Work polishes, it’s as easy as 1-2-3!