Removing mogas stain

[ls6pilot]

I tried to search but could not locate answer. Best way to remove mogas stain? Thanks

[Andy A]

I've had pretty good luck with rubbing alcohol cleaning the underside of my plane.  I do have a couple of brown stains from the fuel drain that I haven't been able to clean with it though.  It does work pretty good on the wing tip vent areas if you get to them pretty fast after flying.   Where are you located in SC?  I live in Myrtle Beach, but keep the plane in Marion, MAO.

[WmInce]

A great way to remove mogas stains is with . . . "mogas!"

After the stain is removed, follow it up with mild soap/water mixture, then dry off with a towel.

Try it.

[Tom Baker]

My quick go to in the shop is carburetor cleaner, the spray kind. A little on a rag, and it will wipe right off.  

[Anticept]

Please pay attention carefully to what Tom said about how he applies carb cleaner. Carb cleaner is STUPIDLY corrosive and strong. Don't spray it straight on the airplane, and don't soak your rag.

[MEH]

I echo "be carful with the carb cleaner". It is mostly acetone but also has MEK and toluene among other aggressive solvents. I would suggest trying mineral spirits first (AKA charcoal lighter fluid) as it is much less aggressive.

[Tom Baker]

I have used MEK before. It will work on most of the CT surfaces if the rag is not over saturated. 

[delta4242]

I use Goof off on the fairings of my Cherokee as they are right under the drains. Works wonderfully!

[AGLyme]

My CTSW pal used Goof off on my CTLSi when the gas leaked onto the white fairing tape creating an impossible streaky mess.  Goof off worked perfectly without any damage.  Would suggest wetting a rag and then applying... However... try NOT to get onto the decorative Flight Design tape used for the accents... it will make the tape dull... 

[WmInce]

13 hours ago, delta4242 said:

I use Goof off on the fairings of my Cherokee as they are right under the drains. Works wonderfully!

Also excellent in removing tape residue, i.e. Bolus tape, sealing the wing roots.

[FlyingMonkey]

On 11/25/2019 at 1:37 PM, Anticept said:

Please pay attention carefully to what Tom said about how he applies carb cleaner. Carb cleaner is STUPIDLY corrosive and strong. Don't spray it straight on the airplane, and don't soak your rag.

Also beware of brake cleaner.  Don't use brake cleaner on anything hot.  Brake cleaner will out-gas *extremely* toxic phosgene compounds at high temperatures, the kind that causes permanent and irreversible lung and metabolic damage, and can be fatal at concentrations as low as 4 parts per million.  Several welders have died by cleaning welding parts with brake cleaner.

https://www.brewracingframes.com/safety-alert-brake-cleaner--phosgene-gas.html

[Tom Baker]

1 hour ago, FlyingMonkey said:

Also beware of brake cleaner.  Don't use brake cleaner on anything hot.  Brake cleaner will out-gas *extremely* toxic phosgene compounds at high temperatures, the kind that causes permanent and irreversible lung and metabolic damage, and can be fatal at concentrations as low as 4 parts per million.  Several welders have died by cleaning welding parts with brake cleaner.

https://www.brewracingframes.com/safety-alert-brake-cleaner--phosgene-gas.html

The Phosgene gas issue is caused by extreme heat when welding, and possibly also requires Argon gas in the mix. I don't think that there will be an issue with normal use on our airplanes.

[Anticept]

Phosgene (COCl₂) is caused by extreme temperatures with chlorinated brake cleaner. Non chlorinated does not release phosgene.

If you don't know if a part has been washed with a chlorinated cleaner, don't weld it. I do not know what, or if, you can use to "dechorlinate" the part. It might just need to be dry, but phosgene is nothing to mess with.

[Doug G.]

I use “Oil Eater.” 

[sandpiper]

If you keep up with the stain Oil Eater and Composiclean Haze Glaze usually takes care of it.

[Jim Meade]

Maguiers Ultimate Compound works for me. 

[gogogo888]

I've been using Wash Wax all belly soup to clean the bottom of the plane.

Just the Wash Wax ALL works well cleaning small mogas stain.