Blade Maintenance

[TJMay]

Now that I have my machine closer to home and on a grass strip, my blades seem to be attracting more bugs/dust/grit, etc.

What do you guys use to clean 'em and keep 'em clean?

Windex? RainX? Soap & water?

Tommy

[Timchick]

Which blades do you have, Tommy?

[Racer]

I use a product called "Liquid Performance" cleaner/polish. it comes in a spray can and wipes bugs off with ease then polishes your blades up nice. Can also use it on your frame, Body ,suspension etc. You can even brush your teeth with it, gives you a glowing smile that drives the ladies crazy! I get mine at the local motorcycle shop.

[scottessex]

Windex usually takes the bugs off, I'll polish them a couple of times a year with aluminum polish and a buffer.

[iconnary]

Tommy, I bought a couple bottles of 90% isopropyl achohol at the local drug store and poured them into an empty spray bottle. I spray the blades and wipe them down with a cloth. Simple, cheap and works well. So far as I'm aware aluminum does not react adversely to alcohol, and I believe this is what Ernie Boyette recommends to clean his Dragonwing blades.

Also, once a year I take the blades off and polish them thoroughly with aluminum polish to keep them shiny.

[ultracruiser41]

simple green and a shot of endust works for me! (Sportcopter)

[ultracruiser41]

Scott!

How the heck did you get 4,491 posts??

Should we call you liittle Ron?

[scottessex]

Barry, I thought that you just got Ron to clean them every once in awhile.

[scottessex]

I just don't have anything else to do..............yeah right.

[Rotor-Head]

water and a rag, then dry them. (Sport Rotors)

[birdy]

Rain. ;) :)

[TJMay]

Thanks guys.

Tim, they're stock RAF blades as far as I know.

Tommy

[Harry_S.]

Tommy, I just use a wet rag and a dry towel and work about three feet at a time. Bug juice comes right off.

Rotor brake, gust lock off and the blades to the side, let the blades hang lower so you can work 'em just standing on the ground. You might need a stool to get the last foot or two at the root end.

I also had blade envelopes made to keep the dust off when hangared. Easy on and easy off.


Cheers :)

[jcarleto]

Birdy,

LOL...I use that same product/technique for my tractor.

[RockyMeLad]

Rain. ;) :)
Birdy,
Thought you blokes were in a worse drought than us.
Blades must be getting pretty dirty by now. :boink:

[birdy]

Yup, theres bout 2 years worth of crap on the wasa blades, coz the last wash they got was wen i flew to the oz nats last year, and i was flyn in rain for 8 hours the second day.
The ones on the ferel are only bout 600 hours old, so they aint too bad. ;)

[Larry Boyer]

I use Glade furnature polish. Bugs just won't stick. Give em a whip down veery few weeks.Works great on leading edge of wings also.

[Dale Young]

Don't use SIMPLE GREEN on aluminum!! I used to use it,and found out that it will corrode aluminum and is not recommended. after a while it will cloud a nice shine.

[billygyro]

hello dale
have you been fying latley? what do you use on your blades to keep them clean? sorry i mised menton trip this year. maybe make it next year.
billygyro from tennessee.

[Dale Young]

Did A little flyin' a couple days ago . I use alcohol, pledge furniture polish, and Mothers aluminum mag cleaner to polish them. Makes them look like kitchen knives. Billy , we need to get together sometime and talk gyros!

[jvitable]

need info. on Sycamore blades--would like to put 29 fters on my RAF--?--Joe

[RossB]

I use a product called Mr Sheen
A bit difficult to get in the USA, but just a simple furniture polish.
Leaves a sort of wax finish that stops bug guts from sticking , and makes em easier to clean next time.

Ross B