Hangar Flying => Hangar Flying => Topic started by: Snappy on April 25, 2006, 09:59:52 PM
Title: Bugs
Post by: Snappy on April 25, 2006, 09:59:52 PM
Nothing like a good day of killing bugs to relax a man! Now to get them off the leading edges and canopy. Anyone have the 'best' way to get the critters off?
I've used Pledge spray wax, comet non-abrasive bathroom cleaner, spit and 409. Everything but the Pledge has to be waxed over before your next bug-squashing flight or the damn things weld to the leading edges!
Title: Bugs
Post by: Dave in Eugene on April 25, 2006, 10:24:48 PM
I use 409 or simple green on the leading edges and pledge on the glass..
I like to have 2 bottles and rags around so I can hand one to my passenger when we land...kinda fun to do it together...and so much better to go after them while they are still juicy.
Dave
Title: Re: Bugs
Post by: Jack on April 26, 2006, 04:59:15 AM
Quote from: "Snappy"
Nothing like a good day of killing bugs to relax a man! Now to get them off the leading edges and canopy. Anyone have the 'best' way to get the critters off?
!
One fine day I hit some serious bugs on final. The Long felt a little strange and I didn't really check the leading edges well. It was a quick pit stop from the West coast to the East. On takeoff it felt like I had rain on the damn canard and really had to yank it off. Did a stall series and it was right on the numbers. Next stop checked the canard leading edge and found lots of dead bugs. A well waxed Long just takes a clean rag to wipe them off. Up removal of the bug remains the bird went back to normal flying.
Cheers;
Jack
Title: Bugs
Post by: Kilo42 on April 26, 2006, 01:03:22 PM
This may sound funny, but here is what I use and it works like no other. Take some "Bounce" sheets from your laundry room , wet'em and clean away. Takes bug guts off just about anything with extreme ease. Also leaves a fresh scent:) Works great on your car too....
It does not work as well on the carbon spots or exhaust marks on your prop. I use a stove top cleaner used on glass top ranges for that.
Kilo42 Long Ez N81HM
Title: Bugs
Post by: Drew on June 15, 2006, 08:15:20 PM
I tried your technique with the bounce sheet----and it works better than anything else I have tried.
Title: Bugs
Post by: Snappy on June 19, 2006, 06:56:01 AM
Regarding carbon and exhaust on your prop, if you have a 2 blade, clock it at the 1 & 7 o'clock position and your problem should be solved, per Gary Hertzler of Silver Bullet fame. Keeps your prop cool and out of the exhaust plume too!
Title: Bugs
Post by: LongEZDriver on June 21, 2006, 09:53:42 PM
:D I read the "bounce" sheet ideas and thought I would give it a try on my car which went too many miles in too few days through too many bugs. I just had time to do the windshield, but want to say that the bounce sheets worked really great. Cheap, easily obtained, works great. That is what this forum is designed for. One suggestion: rinse the sheets throroughly before using, or you will get a really messy soap film, which you will then have to use additional water to clean off. I will let you figure out how I know that.
Thanks again for the tip.
Regards to all Harry Thomas LE 104EZ, Chino, CA
Title: Bugs
Post by: easyrider on June 26, 2006, 11:00:45 AM
If you keep the Long well waxed I found a wet rag as soon as you land works as good as anything, don't let them dry out. Easyrider
Title: Bugs
Post by: Snappy on June 27, 2006, 10:42:55 AM
You're right! The wax really helps and I've been using your method for almost 4 years now. But, if you don't wipe them off right away, they weld themselves on to the leading edges and then I use warm water.
But for me, the Bounce works best so far. They just disolve and I carry a damp hand towel to take off the residue.
Title: wax
Post by: ramseyk86 on July 02, 2006, 03:14:22 PM
What kind of wax do you use? Don't some contain petroleum distilates that might damage structure?
Title: Bugs
Post by: Snappy on July 03, 2006, 07:16:52 AM
Carnuba car wax has always worked well to protect the finish and keep her shinin' and slick.
Title: Bugs
Post by: Lowlevldevl on July 05, 2006, 04:25:01 PM
What's Bounce?
Title: Bugs
Post by: Snappy on July 06, 2006, 08:48:28 AM
Bounce is a brand name for your clothes dryer fabric softener sheets that your wife/girlfriend uses to keep your dirty socks smelling better.
Title: Bugs
Post by: Lowlevldevl on July 08, 2006, 01:41:16 AM
Uh huh! Its probably called something else over here.
Title: bounce
Post by: eric r on July 10, 2006, 08:03:35 PM
It's "Bounce" in AU also! Good for cleaning burned pots, and maybe a musquito repellant too. I use them in the airplane while in the hangar to keep varmints away ... spiders, mice, wasps, etc. Just toss a couple on the floor or in the baggage door, or in the tail cone, or under the panel ... has worked for me for years; must be some nasty stuff! Now I'll try it as a wing cleaner!
Title: Bugs
Post by: Snappy on July 11, 2006, 09:55:35 PM
Another use for Bounce!
Rub a sheet under your armpits and you will smell like daisys! No kidding, I was late and had to go and forgot to use my deodorant. I was cleaning the bugs off the wings and........well, you know. You just get some funny looks from those who can't place the fragrance.
Title: Bugs
Post by: Waiter on August 08, 2006, 04:57:14 PM
I normally clean the leading edges after each flight (I use Dry-Wash). But on occasion, if it was late, or I was in a hurry, I'd just pull it in the hangar and come back in a couple days.
I came into the hangar one afternoon to perform a delayed "Debugging" deed. When I opened the door I noticed what looked like a long black line going up the side of my fuselage and out across the leading edge of the wing.
My first thoughts were "What the $%^&*()%"!!!!
As I walked closer to the plane, I got the distinct impression that the line seemed to be "MOVING".
The line, was in fact, about a gazillion ANTs. I started brushing them off, then realized, what used to be a leading edge of splattered bug guts was now a clean surface with the "moving black line" going through the middle.
I decided to leave the feasting ants to their dinner, closed the doors, and fly another day.
On my way home I was theorizing how I was going to rid my bird of these new passengers (post flight meal included) if this became a problem.
A couple days later I returned to the hangar. To my pleasant surprise, my passengers-to-be were no where to be found. PLUS, with the exception of a few tiny morsels, every bug part on ALL the leading edges, including the nose and canard, was gone.
I wish I could say I found a new way to "debug" the bird. Can you imagine the commercial potential of this venture. Every Hanger in the world would have "Waiter's Ant Restaurant"; a small ant farm in one of those 10 gallon glass aquariums, just waiting for the Smörgåsbord meal, after every flight.
Anyway, this only happened one other time, about a year later. (Come to think about it, I did see the "ORKIN" truck parked near the hanger a few times!! SOB SOB
Waiter
Title: Bugs
Post by: Gilbert DRIEUX on August 09, 2006, 12:38:04 AM
Quote from: "Waiter"
I wish I could say I found a new way to "debug" the bird. Can you imagine the commercial potential of this venture. Every Hanger in the world would have "Waiter's Ant Restaurant"; a small ant farm in one of those 10 gallon glass aquariums, just waiting for the Smörgåsbord meal, after every flight.
Waiter
Bugs' life season 2 ! :lol: DDT sensitive ? :shock: Is your web site off ? Or no more progress ? :roll:
Regards.
Title: Bugs
Post by: Waiter on August 09, 2006, 04:32:32 AM
www.iflyez.com WEB SITE DOWN: My Host provider must have it down, I notice my e-mail server is also down, and some of the other web sites they host are also down. I'll check it a little later. Thanks for the heads up.
As for the Camera. I think the Ethernet switch in my basement is bad. I notice I can't access anything that goes through this switch. I cycled power and that took care of it for a couple hours.
I've been working on houses for the last couple months. Rehabbing one, and getting another ready to rent.
ALSO, Working 14 hour days at the plant. We are getting into harvest, so that will take all my time for the next couple months.
I promised myself I will NOT take on any more projects until my plane is flying. (I hope)