Light Jet Detailing.
Aviation-grade detailing for Citation CJ series, Embraer Phenom, Bombardier Learjet, HondaJet, Eclipse — light business jets.
Owner-flown and small-charter light jets. We work to your hangar or ramp with aviation-approved chemistry, screen-safe avionics cleaning, and the patience these aircraft deserve.
Service specs
Why light jets is different.
Light jets — Citation Mustang, M2, CJ1-CJ4, Embraer Phenom 100/300, Learjet 31/35/40, HondaJet, Eclipse 500/550 — are the entry tier of jet aviation. Owner-flown by single-pilot-certified owners or operated by small charter outfits, they spend their lives between hangared overnight rests and high-speed cruise above FL310. The cruise altitude means leading-edge bug strikes happen at higher impact and bond harder to the paint than on a piston single. The hangar life means cosmetic standards are higher than on a ramp-parked GA aircraft. Owners typically detail twice a year (or before sale) and expect a result that's near-OEM. We deliver that — but never with a rotary buffer near a rivet line, never with a cleaner that crazes acrylic, and never without a walk-around with the pilot first.
Light jets have higher-spec paint than pistons (typically polyurethane with a clearcoat) but also more sensitive components everywhere — anti-static wicks at every wing trailing edge, total air temperature probes on the nose, multi-axis pitot tubes, weather radar radomes, and (on newer jets) carbon-fiber control surfaces. Each one has specific don't-touch rules. PT6 or JT15D engine inlets have to be protected before any wash. The cabin is more like a small Lear-jet living room than a GA cockpit — leather, wood veneer, plated hardware, premium carpet, lavatory in some. Every surface needs the right chemistry. We carry it.
Texas reality check. Light jet owners in San Antonio fly to Aspen, Telluride, Cabo, Mexico City, Naples, Nantucket. The aircraft come home with high-altitude bug strikes on the leading edges, exhaust stains on the belly from PT6 or JT15D engines, and (for charter aircraft) cabin wear from passengers. Most are hangared at Stinson, Boerne Stage, or SAT corporate hangars. We work in-hangar with dry-wash chemistry to keep the floor clean and the FBO happy.
The light jets protocol.
Pre-detail walk-around with the owner-pilot or chief pilot — confirm scope, identify any tape or markings, repair patches, fresh paint.
Mask pitot tubes, static ports, AOA vanes, TAT probes, antennas, weather radar radome.
Engine inlet covers fitted before any wash starts.
Static wick check — note any bent or missing wicks for the pilot's awareness.
Leading edges, prop spinner (if applicable on turbo-singles), belly: aviation-grade bug and exhaust remover, hand-worked.
Dry wash with Aero Cosmetics Wash Wax All inside hangars; wet wash with approved soap on ramps with proper drainage.
Hand-polish painted surfaces — never rotary on rivet lines, fairings, or repair patches.
Acrylic windshield and side windows cleaned with Plexus or distilled water and approved methods only.
Cabin: leather conditioning, wood veneer wipe with veneer-safe product, plated hardware polish, carpet vacuum, lavatory deep clean (if present).
Avionics screen-safe cleaning (Garmin G3000 / G5000, Collins Pro Line 21 / Fusion, Rockwell Collins, Honeywell Primus).
Engine cowling polish, exhaust cone wipe (no aggressive scrubbing — exhaust cones are sensitive).
N-number and registration touch-up, photo log pre/post for owner records.
What's included.
Every item on this list runs on every light jets job. No upsells at the door.
Common add-ons for light jets
- Aircraft ceramic coating (light jets, exterior)
- Heavy belly degrease (older Lears with chronic exhaust)
- Carbon-fiber control surface polish (newer Phenoms, HondaJet)
- Cabin leather restoration / re-dye consultation
- PreBuy detail package — buyer/seller showing prep
- Subscription wash-and-wax for charter aircraft (every 30-60 days)
Models we see most.
Cessna Citation light jets
Citation Mustang, Citation M2 / M2 Gen2, Citation CJ1+ / CJ2+ / CJ3 / CJ3+ / CJ4 / CJ4 Gen2. Most common light jet at SAT and Stinson corporate ramps.
Embraer Phenom and HondaJet
Embraer Phenom 100 / 100E / 100EX, Embraer Phenom 300 / 300E / 300EX (some classify as super-light), HondaJet HA-420 / Elite / Elite II / Elite S. Newer-design light jets with carbon-fiber control surfaces.
Bombardier Learjet and Eclipse
Bombardier Learjet 31 / 35 / 40 / 45 / 70, Eclipse 500 / 550. Older Lears have lots of polished aluminum; Eclipse has unique composite construction.
What owners always ask.
Yes — dry wash with Aero Cosmetics Wash Wax All inside hangars where water isn't allowed. Zero runoff, no FBO complaints. We coordinate with the FBO and hangar landlord ahead of every appointment.
No — we hand-polish carbon with appropriate compound only. Phenom and HondaJet carbon-fiber components are common; we never use solvents that attack epoxy resins. If you have specific OEM guidance, share it and we'll follow it.
We don't remove or service static wicks — that's an A&P's job. We do note any bent or missing wicks during the walk-around so the pilot knows. We work around them carefully and never lean on a trailing edge where they're mounted.
Only with screen-safe microfiber and approved cleaner — distilled water, Plexus, or OEM-approved screen cleaner. We follow Garmin (G3000, G5000), Collins (Pro Line 21, Fusion), and Honeywell guidance.
A Citation CJ2 standard wash, polish, and interior runs 8-9 hours. A Phenom 300 with cabin leather and screen-safe care is 9-11 hours. A Learjet 35 or older with belly degrease and polish can run 10-12 hours.
Yes — PreBuy details are common. Extra-thorough exterior, full interior including lavatory, plated hardware polish, and a final inspection walk with the seller. Add $300-500 to the standard detail price for PreBuy-level work.
A standard exterior + interior on a Citation CJ2 starts at $1,500. A Phenom 300 with cabin leather and avionics is $1,800-2,200. PreBuy or heavily-worn aircraft can run $2,500-3,000. Quote after walk-around.
Park it. We'll handle it.
We come to your driveway, dock, RV park, or hangar. Same care, every job.