How to clean this?

sp3ctre

sp3ctre

Administrator
Staff member
I have an aircraft window section (737-300 for anyone interested) that I put up in my new house.

I have had it a few years and the guy I got it off said never to polish it and scratches easily etc etc. it’s got a bit dusty and I would love to spruce it up but want to be super careful not to cock it up.

Any advice, recommended products, methods etc?


IMG_0474.jpeg
 
In VC10s we used to use the old duraglit/brasso cotton wadding but it can leave dark marks which need something to clean them off. As you can’t legally use Trichloro-triflouro- ethylene any more I would suggest trying a very small patch with brasso and a wipe over with IPA. I’m surprised it is that shiny tbh, so possibly been polished or plated before anyway?
 
Yeah I have no idea of the process it went through, although I could probably find out
 
If it were mine, (I say that as I am a risk taker) I would use a car paint finishing polish and a soft pad with a dual action polisher. If successful I would consider giving it a ceramic coating. All you have to do after that is dust it with a fluffy duster. You could try it on the back first.
 
If it’s an alloy is probably got some lacquer of some sort on it so I’d be very wary of using anything abrasive.
 
If it is actually from a 737-300 (and not a replica manufactured in steel etcetera), then it will be an aluminium alloy, which self passivates in air to form aluminium oxide which acts as a natural corrosion resistant layer. To get that shiny finish, think of the old DC-3, the surface is polished to a shine and then very quickly the passivation occurs. So the marks are not on the aluminium per se, but rather on the aluminium oxide layer or any lacquer added after polishing. Try using a diluted mild detergent and a soft cloth on an area not on view, Brasso might be a bit harsh and may leave swirl marks as it contains an abrasive compound.

Oh and by the way, that is way cool :thumbsup:
 
That is a cool piece of wall art.

This stuff is good. Requires a bit of elbow grease though.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0159.jpeg
    IMG_0159.jpeg
    54.1 KB · Views: 1
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom