Aircraft Detailing Price List - What are you actually paying for when you hire a professional detailer to clean your airplane? Aircraft detailing prices vary from one detailer to another. Therefore, it is wise to take into account the various factors that influence the total cost of airplane detailing.
As a guide, base aircraft detailing prices range from $200-$600. However, add-on services will bump up the price. It also depends on the pricing strategies of the individual detailing businesses and the experience of their team.
Aircraft Detailing Price List
Overall, though, your preferences and the type of aircraft will largely dictate pricing. The final amount depends on the following factors: I am usually a die-hard do-it-yourself person. Self-reliance produces experience and knowledge, and usually saves a good deal of money.
Type Of Exterior Wash
So, when I brought my fiancée, Heidi, to pick up her car from the detailing shop recently, I was admittedly biased against having someone else "wash and wax" a car for over $200. When we arrived to pick up the car, however, my opinion changed.
It looked brand new, inside and out, and the smile on Heidi's face was worth far more than the money spent. There are also different types of exterior cleaning to take into consideration when working out airplane detailing costs.
For example, aircraft dry washing involves using aviation-approved chemicals and microfiber towels to "dry" wash the exterior. Wet washing involves using high-pressure water jets and specialist soaps to wash the exterior surface, although extreme care must be taken to protect the landing gear components and electrical connectors from the pressurized water.
NeatFlight Aviation is a full-service aircraft mobile detailing and cleaning business dedicated to consistently providing high customer satisfaction by rendering excellent service, quality aircraft interior and exterior care, and furnishing a fun, clean, enjoyable atmosphere at an acceptable price.
Additional Airplane Detailing Cost For Aircraft Boots
Neat Flight Aviation provides services to aircraft private owners, fractional customers, corporate operators and aircraft service centers. NeatFlight believes in the quality and industry experience it possesses to market to the desired customers and develop a great business relationship as well.
NeatFlight can reach any customer in the State of Florida and Puerto Rico 24/7/365. For example, it costs around $150 to wet wash the exterior of a Cessna light aircraft model that seats a maximum of 4 passengers.
Expect to pay around $1000 to wet wash the exterior of a large business jet, such as a Gulfstream G650 that carries between 11 and 18 passengers. Airplane detailing costs will typically rise to around $2,500 for a larger commercial aircraft.
So, I decided to give myself a similar gift by getting my Bonanza professionally detailed. I never got around to removing the bugs and giving the airplane a decent cleaning before the cold weather set in, so the timing was perfect.
The Condition Of The Aircraft
Web searches and references in my area pointed me to New England Aircraft Detailing. I reached out to the owner, Mark Rubin, and made arrangements for the work to take place in my T-hangar (with the aid of several propane space heaters).
Exterior surface washing will cost from $150-$600 for small to medium jets. However, expect to pay extra for additional exterior detailing such as a de-ice boot treatment. Typically, you could pay an additional $75-$300. However, keeping the boots clean is an essential part of aircraft detailing as it helps to extend the lifespan of essential pieces of equipment.
Take into consideration the condition of your aircraft when calculating airplane detailing costs. If you pay for detailing your aircraft regularly, it will help to make future detailing jobs more time-efficient and cost-effective. You'll find that many retailers offer special price plans and discounted rates to regular customers.
However, aircraft that are not regularly maintained will require more work to achieve a satisfactory level of cleanliness. This will add to your outlay. For instance, you'll find that many detailers offer price quotes upon viewing the aircraft.
Interior Aircraft Detailing Prices
Excessively dirty interiors will incur additional charges if you want to restore it to like-new condition. Detailers may offer complimentary interior vacuuming with an aircraft exterior wash. However, additional aircraft interior cleaning services such as cleaning lavatories, seat belts, tray tables, sanitizing the galley, cleaning the cockpit and so on will incur additional charges.
For example, if you pay $275 to have a small private jet washed, additional interior detailing will be charged at around $125. For a medium jet wash at $375, expect to add on $225 for interior cleaning.
A larger jet with a $600 exterior wash could incur an extra $350 for an interior clean. Aircraft metal polishing is a specialist process that results in an immaculate mirror-like finish. If you take pride in the appearance of your aircraft, you will probably want to spend extra money to make sure your brightwork dazzles beautifully.
This includes polishing the spinner, engine inlet and exhaust, window surrounds and leading edges. If you need corrosion removal on brightwork, the extra time and attention required will also increase aircraft detailing prices. Polishing brightwork is not just for cosmetic purposes.
Brightwork Metal Polishing
It also protects against oxidation. This treatment ranges from $275 (single engine aircraft) to $850 for a medium jet and $2500 for a larger jet. If you want a deep interior clean, costs of specialist disinfecting solutions will be factored on top of the base interior detailing price.
This can account for an additional $100. Alternatively, seek out aircraft detailers that use steam cleaning technology. Killing viruses with steam eliminates the need to pay for extra aviation disinfectants and associated labor costs. As you can see, a number of factors affect how much aircraft detailing costs.
How much you pay typically depends on the aircraft size that can range from single engines to jumbo jets. The detailer will add the detailing add-ons to the final price. The condition of the aircraft, the detailer's experience and even the equipment and cleaning supplies will affect these prices when hiring a professional detailer to clean your plane.
Aircraft detailing prices are also determined by the brand of aircraft. For example, a luxury brand of aircraft, such as Embraer or Gulfstream private jets, may require specialist detailing work. Some private jet detailing packages will devote hours to taking care of your aircraft cleaning needs.
Deep Interior Clean And Sanitization
Bear in mind, you are also paying for the detailer's expertise to carefully maintain the sheen and style of custom interior fittings. Professional detailers will use more cleaning supplies on a larger jet than, say, a small single engine aircraft.
The amount used will be calculated and factored into aircraft detailing prices. You will also pay more for high-quality cleaning products. For example, the cost of environmentally-friendly cleaning products is usually slightly higher than standard soaps and detergents but trends show that customers are willing to pay a little extra to help protect the environment.
The responsibilities and experience that are associated with the aircraft detailer job are a factor into the detailing costs. Aircraft detailing is more than simply wiping down the aircraft exterior and vacuuming the cabin. You are paying for the detailer's knowledge and experience.
The correct aviation-grade cleaning supplies and techniques will be used to protect the aircraft. Cleaning an aircraft is no small job, regardless of the size, make and model of the aircraft. It is specialist work that requires the professional touch.
The Brand Of Aircraft
The specialist uses aviation-grade cleaning supplies and special equipment. However, more than anything else, airplane detailing cost is influenced by the physical size of the aircraft. In general, detailing a large aircraft is more labor-intensive and time-consuming than detailing a small jet simply because there is more of everything to clean.
For your peace of mind, choose a trusted brand that will always offer great value while ensuring an aviation-approved clean. Professional detailers will be able to provide you with a quote based on the size and condition of your aircraft.
Looking for that exceptional clean? Schedule an appointment with DetailXPerts to have your airplane professionally detailed. NeatFlight attends to every surface, exterior and interior, for a superior image. NeatFlight Aircraft Detailing Services clean aircraft exteriors and interiors for private owners, individual owners, charter services, to fleet aircraft.
NeatFlight uses environmentally friendly cleaning products that are effective. After years of exposure to the elements, this Falcon 50 paint was revitalized with our Solo Polishing Compound and then Protected with our Sapphire V1 Nano Ceramic Coating, restoring the paint to a like new appearance.
The Amount And The Quality Of Aircraft Cleaning Products
Your aircraft is a considerable investment. Understandably, you will be attracted to a company that has a solid reputation in the aviation industry. Research shows that consumers tend to prioritize a great service from a trustworthy detailing brand even if this means paying a little more.
If you are handing over your possessions for cleaning, you want to hire someone who knows what they are doing, see Detailer's Experience, below. During this process, David worked through the entire interior of the aircraft, cleaning the carpet and leather seats and then applying a leather conditioner.
Mike worked on the polished aluminum spinner until I could see my reflection from across the hangar. Another more effective method is aircraft exterior steam detailing. This is an excellent option if you want a "green" option that adheres to the environmental rules and regulations within the aviation industry.
This trusted steam method uses the minimal amount of water and the high temperature of steam to remove dirt, grease and grime from the aircraft exterior. Note, prices can vary from $50-$100 between different types of exterior aircraft cleaning methods, so it is wise to ask detailers for a bespoke quote.
Detailer’s Experience Affects Airplane Detailing Cost
An aircraft exterior wax treatment will increase the cost of detailing the aircraft. You don't have to request this add-on each time you schedule aircraft detailing. However, if you love the extra shine that enhances the luxurious look of your jet, it is a recommended add-on.
It also helps to protect the exterior paintwork. As a rough guide, double the airplane detailing cost of your base exterior wash to get an idea of a wash-and-wax detailing package. For example, if washing a small twin engine jet costs $200-$250.
Expect to pay around $500 for a wash and wax treatment. For a mid-range business jet aircraft like a Learjet 60, a wash is $500 while a wash and wax treatment is $1000. With the aircraft exterior clean, they began the process of removing the oxidation from the paint.
Depending on the situation, they use their expertise to choose from a variety of cutting and polishing compounds. The goal is to remove as little paint as possible; just enough to get past the surface scratches, oxidation, and stains.
The Size Of The Aircraft
They start with the mildest compound and progress to harsher compounds as needed until the area is restored. Then they work back up through progressively finer levels of compound until the finish is as smooth as glass.
Their use of power tools is limited, and they are careful to avoid going over the rivets. I was happy to see this because I've personally witnessed the damage that a traditional automotive buffer can do on an aircraft by literally buffing the paint off of the rivet heads.
If you want to keep the interior of your plane looking immaculate, it is advisable to pay a little extra for periodic conditioning to maintain the luxurious look and feel of the seats. This includes paying extra attention to leather, vinyl and fabric seat coverings, especially on high-wear areas such as armrests and upper-back cushions.
It should really be done every 3-6 months. Although it raises aircraft detailing prices over and above a base detailing package, it is more cost-effective in the long-term than having to replace or re-upholster seats. Upholstery care and repair of leather or fabric seats costs from $130 per seat.
The Aircraft Detailing Company’s Brand
Standing in the hangar, I admired the results of two full days of work by the team of four technicians from New England Aircraft Detailing. I could barely keep my eyes off the reflections in the refinished paint of my aircraft.
While I love the satisfaction of doing my own maintenance work, Heidi was right: Sometimes it pays to let the professionals take a turn where manpower and expertise can make a difference. And, after all, the best gifts can be the ones we give ourselves.
Until next time... happy flying! If you choose add-on airplane services, airplane detailing cost will naturally go up. Not all of these are essential detailing procedures but they will help to extend the lifespan and maintain the resale value of your aircraft.
Take a look at the following: The last step of the process was probably the most transformative: ceramic coating of the paint. This fairly new process was popularized by car collectors, then used by jet aircraft owners to protect the paint from exhaust staining.
Aircraft Exterior Full Wax
It's only recently migrated to general aviation aircraft because, at about $150 per 50ml bottle, the coating itself is extremely expensive. It can only be applied to clean and prepared surfaces and requires some degree of skill to apply properly.
That said, I can personally attest that the results are impressive. Following the coating, the paint took on a "wet look" that I'm told will last for three to five years and will make future bug removal a breeze.
The entire process on my Bonanza took two days in total and I couldn't be happier. I'll be sure to provide follow-up on my experience as time passes.
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