Composite materials
Carbon and glass laminates flex, absorb, and telegraph heat differently than sheet metal. Aggressive pads and solvents can lift resin or haze gelcoat permanently.
Operational handbook
Professional Standards Before Professional Results
WingWash follows aviation detailing procedures based on Aviation Detailing Association professional training. The ADA methodology is developed and approved by A&P/IAs, aviation OEM manufacturers, and aviation insurance providers.
01 · Why aircraft are different
An airframe is not a large automobile
Aircraft are certified assemblies of dissimilar materials operating under pressure, vibration, altitude UV, and airspeed-critical instrumentation. The failure modes of a careless detail are not cosmetic — they are airworthiness items. This is why aviation demands an aviation-specific methodology.
Paint systems
Aircraft topcoats are thin, elastic polyurethane over primer over etch — measured in mils, not layers. There is no re-clear; every micron removed is unrecoverable.
Acrylic windows
Stretched acrylic crazes with ammonia, alcohol, and pressure. Cabin and cockpit transparencies require dedicated acrylic-safe cleaners and clean, sacrificial media.
Pitot-static systems
Pitot tubes, static ports, AOA vanes, and drain masts are airspeed-critical. Each is masked and verified clear before the aircraft is released.
Antennas & static wicks
Blades, radomes, and static dischargers are bonded and fragile. Coatings and abrasives are kept off bonding surfaces to preserve conductivity.
Control surfaces
Ailerons, elevators, rudders, and tabs are mass-balanced. Trapped water, wax build-up, or added film in the wrong place changes balance behaviour.
Sensitive avionics
Water ingress near antennas, connectors, and access panels is an electrical event, not a cosmetic one. Water volume and direction are controlled at all times.
Weight & balance
Products, water, and residue all add weight. Coatings are applied at specified film builds, and nothing is left pooled in bays or fairings.
Sealants & joints
Fuel-tank and fillet sealants degrade with the wrong solvents. Chemistry is selected to leave sealed joints and bonded panels untouched.
Environmental exposure
Altitude UV, hydraulic and exhaust residue, de-icing fluid, and Alberta winters attack finishes in ways parked cars never experience.
02 · ADA professional standards
Certification is education, not advertising
The Aviation Detailing Association exists to train and hold detailers to aircraft-appropriate methods. Certification does not describe how we market — it describes what we were taught, what chemistry we are permitted to use, and how we are expected to document our work.
WingWash Detailing LTD is listed in the public ADA member directory. Status can be confirmed independently — you do not have to take our word for it.
Verify ADA CertificationProfessional training
Formal instruction in aircraft-specific detailing rather than transferred automotive habit.
Aircraft-safe chemistry
Products qualified against aviation material compatibility instead of gloss marketing.
Material compatibility
Paint, acrylic, aluminum, composite, and sealant treated as distinct materials with distinct limits.
Inspection methodology
A structured way to look at an airframe so nothing is discovered after the work is done.
Standard operating procedures
Written procedures so the work is performed the same way for consistency and safety.
Professional ethics
Honest condition reporting — including recommending no work when none is warranted.
Repeatable procedures
The same workflow on the first aircraft and the four-hundredth, regardless of who is on shift.
Independent verification
Certification status is listed publicly in the ADA directory and can be checked without asking us.
03 · Operational workflow
Hands-on modules, taught in real job sequence
The ADA curriculum teaches foundation knowledge before an aircraft is touched, then hands-on modules in the order the work actually happens. The ADA methodology is developed and approved by A&P/IAs, aviation OEM manufacturers, and aviation insurance providers.
Foundation — knowledge before touching an aircraft
Aviation safety fundamentals
Safety fundamentals and protocols for working on and around aircraft.
Aircraft systems identification
Control surfaces and components identified by name, function, and sensitivity.
Professional tools and equipment
Selection, use, and maintenance of pads, compounds, and equipment.
Aviation-grade chemical knowledge
Aircraft-safe, manufacturer-approved products only.
Standard operating procedures
Written procedures that deliver consistency and safety across every job.
Aviation business insurance
Insurance and risk management as part of the professional standard.
STEP 01
Brightwork and de-icing systems
- Brightwork restoration to OEM specifications
- De-icing boot care and maintenance protocols
- Component-specific approaches rather than one method across the airframe
STEP 02
Interior systems
- Defined interior cleaning sequences
- Carpet stain removal
- Leather conditioning
- Contamination prevention between zones
STEP 03
Exterior paint enhancement and protection
- Aviation-specific chemical application
- Pad and compound selection matched to the finish
- OEM-compliant protective coating systems
- Final inspection and quality control
05 · Materials & chemistry
Selected for compatibility, not for the label
We describe product categories rather than brands, because compatibility is what matters on an airframe. Every product used on your aircraft is aircraft-safe and manufacturer-approved.
Aircraft-safe cleaners
pH-controlled, aviation-qualified wash and degrease chemistry that will not attack topcoat or sealant.
Acrylic-safe products
Ammonia- and alcohol-free transparency cleaners with clean media to avoid crazing and scratching.
Aluminum-safe compounds
Brightwork and bare-metal compounds formulated to avoid pitting, staining, and galvanic issues.
Composite-safe chemistry
Low-heat, resin-friendly products for laminate panels, radomes, and gelcoat surfaces.
Ceramic protection
OEM-compliant protective coating systems for hydrophobic performance and easier recurring washes.
Sealants
Polymer sealants where coating is not appropriate, chosen for interval and operating environment.
Paint correction systems
Matched pad and abrasive systems allowing measured correction with minimal material removal.
06 · Safety procedures
Operating safely inside someone else's facility
A detailing crew is a temporary presence on a live ramp or hangar floor. How we operate around your aircraft, your neighbours' aircraft, and your facility is part of the service.
Hangar etiquette
Clean footprint, tool control, no loose FOD, and equipment kept clear of aircraft and adjacent property.
FBO coordination
Access, badging, and ramp rules confirmed with the FBO or hangar operator before arrival.
Environmental protection
Runoff captured and disposed of according to facility requirements; no untreated discharge to drains.
Power management
Own power and lighting where required; cords routed clear of traffic and aircraft movement paths.
Water containment
Controlled volume, mats and berms as needed, and no water directed at seams, ports, or panel lines.
PPE
Appropriate protection for chemistry and task, including eye, respiratory, and hand protection.
Protection of aircraft systems
Masking of sensors and antennas, and verification of removal before release.
Weather planning
Work planned around temperature, humidity, and cure windows — outdoor work rescheduled rather than rushed.
Scheduling around flight operations
Work windows planned around departures, maintenance events, and crew availability.
07 · Quality commitment
Commitments instead of testimonials
WingWash is a young operation and we are not going to publish reviews we haven't earned. What we can publish is exactly how we operate — and be held to it.
- Every aircraft is inspected before work begins.
- Every project follows the ADA-trained methodology and our standard operating procedures.
- Every recommendation is based on observed condition.
- No automotive shortcuts, ever.
- Aviation-first methodology on every airframe.
- Transparent communication before, during, and after.
- Independent ADA verification available at any time.
08 · Frequently asked questions
Questions operators ask before the first visit
If something isn't answered here, ask during the assessment walk-around — every answer we give is based on what we observe on your aircraft.
Why choose ADA-certified detailing?
Certification means the technician has been trained specifically on aircraft materials, chemistry, and inspection methodology — and that the certification can be verified independently through the Aviation Detailing Association directory rather than taken on trust.
How long does an inspection take?
A walk-around and surface assessment typically takes 45 to 90 minutes depending on aircraft size and condition. It is completed before any scope or pricing is issued.
Do you work inside hangars?
Yes. Hangar work is preferred because it gives controlled lighting, temperature, and cure conditions. We coordinate access and follow the facility's operating rules.
Can you service fleet aircraft?
Yes. Fleet operators are placed on recurring intervals with the same procedures applied per tail number, so appearance is maintained on schedule rather than reactively.
Do you travel to FBOs?
Yes. We are a mobile operation serving Edmonton and Alberta, and we coordinate directly with the FBO on access, ramp rules, and timing.
What products are used?
Only chemistry qualified for aviation surfaces: pH-controlled cleaners, acrylic-safe transparency products, aluminum-safe compounds, composite-safe polishes, and aviation-appropriate sealants and ceramic coatings.
How is paint measured?
Paint condition is evaluated in controlled lighting, and pad and compound selection is matched to the finish. Correction uses aviation-specific chemistry and the least aggressive method that achieves the result.
Looking for service specifics instead of procedure? Aircraft Detailing and Fleet Services cover scope and intervals.
Begin operational assessment
Ready for a Professional Aircraft Assessment?
Every project begins with an operational review — not assumptions. Tell us the aircraft type and where it's hangared, and we'll return a documented condition report and scope of work.
Review the full procedure first on our Standards page, or call +1 (780) 807-2432