Airplanes

[Trip Moses]

Got a call to take a look at cleaning a private plane tomorrow. What red flags should I look for and what are some price ranges. I have no information on the size or type plane yet.
Any heads up info would be great. I can give more details in the morning.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

PM Justin Stockwell

 

[Nomad74]

Make sure your insurance will cover you, if you care about that sort of things. Many policies will exclude aircraft and the upholstery needs to be cleaned on the hangar floor.

 

[Trip Moses]

Make sure your insurance will cover you, if you care about that sort of things. Many policies will exclude aircraft and the upholstery needs to be cleaned on the hangar floor.

Thanks. I can tell you without looking my insurance does not say anything about airplanes. Also. The guy on the phone alluded to me cleaning inside the aircraft. This will be a no-go for me. Thanks again.

 

[Nomad74]

Thanks. I can tell you without looking my insurance does not say anything about airplanes. Also. The guy on the phone alluded to me cleaning inside the aircraft. This will be a no-go for me. Thanks again.

I believe @Mikey P has a bit of experience with this.

 

[Mikey P]

Correct you cannot go inside an airplane and clean anyting without proper training, a very very expensive insurance policy and if you're smart, rivetless beltless zipperless snagless attire

 

[stanco]

Hey Guys, I have never herd anything about specialized training, I'm willing to bet I clean more airplane interiors than just about anybody in this business.
I clean around 90% of all the corporate planes based out of Salt Lake. Also many Gulfstreams that are sent to me from other parts of the country. This is very much my specialty, I'm sure I do around a hundred or so a year. As Mikey alluded to , the biggest concern is going to be physical damage inside the plane, one scratch or tear could cost you thousands.
My advise to you would be, if you feel like you have the proper skills on fine fabrics and wool carpet you'll be fine. keep the moisture to a minimum, and use blowers to speed dry.
Also make sure you have the proper insurance for this. If you don't consider yourself to be a fine fabric specialist I suggest you pass on this part of the market until you get more training.

 

[Trip Moses]

Yep. I’ll stick to what I know.

 

[sassyotto]

we used to clean corporate jets for a company that did aircraft maintenance. They always took the carpet out and laid it on the hanger floor. That is until one day they had a rush job and didnt. Im 6 foot 7 and it was absolutely horrible. Good money tho

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

By law, the soft furnishings MUST contain fire retardant.
In my limited experience, be very careful as to what method you use to clean.
You don’t want to wet clean, and get the dreaded call....
‘Hi, I’m the aircraft engineer, when I came into hangar #4 this morning, I was suprised to see the interior seats are all pink and blotchy....’
‘I was wondering how you plan to fix this issue, as we are scheduled to fly out tonight ‘....

 

[Mikey P]

Hey Guys, I have never herd anything about specialized training, I'm willing to bet I clean more airplane interiors than just about anybody in this business.
I clean around 90% of all the corporate planes based out of Salt Lake. Also many Gulfstreams that are sent to me from other parts of the country. This is very much my specialty, I'm sure I do around a hundred or so a year. As Mikey alluded to , the biggest concern is going to be physical damage inside the plane, one scratch or tear could cost you thousands.
My advise to you would be, if you feel like you have the proper skills on fine fabrics and wool carpet you'll be fine. keep the moisture to a minimum, and use blowers to speed dry.
Also make sure you have the proper insurance for this. If you don't consider yourself to be a fine fabric specialist I suggest you pass on this part of the market until you get more training.

How much is the insurance rider?

 

[stanco]

I have seen fabrics that have turned orange or even a pinkish color, usually because someone panicked and used the wrong spotter. I personally haven’t ever had it happen. Just remember, fire retardant aside, it’s the same type of carpet and fabrics we clean in high end homes all the time. Just a higher price tag because they say FAA approved. One thing to keep in mind is these things fly at 30 thousand feet in a locked cabin environment, so the products you use should be as residue free as possible. If someone has a respiratory problem on a flight they may be asking you what was used. I have a very strict policy about not fabric protecting a plane that cleans and fly’s the same day. I require a 48 hour minimum with all doors opened if I protect. As far as the insurance Ryder goes, I’m really not sure. I would need to check.

 

[The Great Oz]

By law, the soft furnishings MUST contain fire retardant....

This is true of any plane that carries paying passengers and will be suggested for private planes to reduce liability for the owner. Private planes can have silk on the walls and Ultra-nubuck headliner if the owner wants.

Planes that carry paying passengers will almost always have wool or leather seat covers and wool carpet, since wool doesn't contribute to a fire or give off strong smoke in contact with burning materials. Wool will still be treated with a fire retardant that has to be proven to last through multiple cleanings. I've never seen the product used in planes causing discoloration, but using the wrong product to clean could remove some of the flame retardant.

Your liabilities are: cleaning wool; cleaning around other expensive materials; cleaning in close confines; a potential claim requiring you to pay for renewing the flame proofing. You don't know the condition of the flame proofing or how many times the fabric has been cleaned already, so having some language (on a form the buyer signs) about not taking responsibility for it would be advisable.

 

[Trip Moses]

So I get there today to look at the plane and meet the guy that called me. It was a G200. He had been cleaning the aisle with a bissel spot bot. Whaddaya think. Wool carpet.

 

[stanco]

I think you guys are over thinking all these possibilities, it really isn’t that complicated. The guy has been cleaning it with a bissel, it’s just wool carpet. I cleaned one the other day that an airplane service company has been doing for two years.
The pilot told me it usually takes two days to dry and it smells musty for days after that.
I’m not trying to over simplify thinks there are some risks, I’m saying use common sense and good practices and you will be fine. One of my best accounts will have another company do there carpets while they lay over in another part of the country and have me redo it and fabric protect it when they get home. Chances are it’s been cleaned dozens of times.if your an experienced cleaner your gonna do better than what they’ve had done .
If the fire retardant has been damaged, it’s happened long before you got to it.
I can’t tell you how many planes I’ve done in the last 25 years, never ever an issue. If your covered under your insurance and you trust your work your good. Could even lead into a bunch more business!
Good luck!

 

[Trip Moses]

I think you guys are over thinking all these possibilities, it really isn’t that complicated. The guy has been cleaning it with a bissel, it’s just wool carpet. I cleaned one the other day that an airplane service company has been doing for two years.
The pilot told me it usually takes two days to dry and it smells musty for days after that.
I’m not trying to over simplify thinks there are some risks, I’m saying use common sense and good practices and you will be fine. One of my best accounts will have another company do there carpets while they lay over in another part of the country and have me redo it and fabric protect it when they get home. Chances are it’s been cleaned dozens of times.if your an experienced cleaner your gonna do better than what they’ve had done .
If the fire retardant has been damaged, it’s happened long before you got to it.
I can’t tell you how many planes I’ve done in the last 25 years, never ever an issue. If your covered under your insurance and you trust your work your good. Could even lead into a bunch more business!
Good luck!

Thanks. I’m looking into the insurance.