Simple Green and 409: Don't Use
 

Aviation Consumer magazine just did a test of various cleaners specifically manufactured for aircraft exteriors, and in a sidebar, they published the results of their testing of Simple Green and 409, common and widely used cleaners that I suspect some of us have sprayed on our engines at one time or another.

Bad idea. Because most aircraft are virtually all aluminum (like our engines), corrosion was a major concern of the AC testers, who did both lab and real-world testing of Simple Green and 409 and found substantial, measurable corrosion in as little as 48 hours. 409 was measurably worse than SImple Green. Indeed, the company that makes Simple Green _said_ to AC that it shouldn't be used around aluminum (which I assume it says on the bottle).

The lesson seems to be that if you buy any kind of degreaser/cleaner, make sure it has corrosion inhibitors and/or has no effect on aluminum. (I use P21S Total Auto Wash, which despite a name that makes it sound like it should be used for ordinary washjobs is in fact a powerful degreaser.)

Stephan

I've used the citrus based cleaners with no ill effects after thorough rinsing with water (for underside of engine - not polished rims)

I've used ZEP brand citrus degreaser, works and smells good to. I wonder what it would taste like with a little vodka?

At my work ( California Fire Department), we recieved a memoradum about a year ago, ordering us to stop using Simple Green to clean our helicopters. We use to use it every day to remove the bugs and grease on the rotor mast and underbelly. The memoraum stated the same thing that Stephan quoted.

I've used Simple Green on my engines for 20 years. Enough said.

I've used Simple Green to clean engines for years and have never had a problem as well..

works good on my floor.

Works great on garage clothes too.

But I had also heard similar comments on the effects on bare aluminum some 10 years ago...

The bottle does say not to use it on Aluminum...

What the hell is in Simple Green anyway?

It is The Business on Amal and Bing carbs (motorbikes). Anyone who has had to restore old bike carbs does the spray and clean using SGreen just because it *does* attack alum.

John

I can remember using 409 or Fantastik on glass one time....and did not get all of it off it time..and it etched the glass.
It turned white in runny configuration where it was sprayed on and dripped downwards.
Bob

I used it on some of my bike parts made by Campagnola. Never again. It striped the polished anodized surface off.

I happen to work for one of the companies that makes a citrus Degreaser/Cleaner. Citrus oils contain a natural solvent that cuts grease very well.

It's not that the Simple Green (or other citrus product) causes the corrossion it is that it does a good job of removing the grease allowing the aluminum to corrode.

Prevention: Rinse very well and then drive getting the car/engine up to a good high temperature.

I've been using a diluted mixture on Simple Green on my Fikse FM-10s. Not any more. Thanks' for the tip. Even though no problems have arisen, I don't want to chance it.

So what was the magazine's preferred cleaner? or cleaners?