Piston Single Detailing.
Aviation-grade detailing for Cessna 172/182, Piper Cherokee, Beech Bonanza, Cirrus, Mooney, and Diamond singles.
Trainers, traveling singles, and high-performance pistons. We work to your tie-down or T-hangar at Stinson, San Antonio International, Boerne Stage, New Braunfels, Hondo, and Kerrville.
Service specs
Why piston singles is different.
Piston singles are the most common general-aviation aircraft, and they break into two distinct populations: trainer fleets and owner-operated singles. A flight school's 172 gets flown ten hours a day, washed maybe once a month, and shows it — sun-faded paint, bug strikes baked into the leading edges, brake dust packed into the wheel pants. An owner-operated Bonanza or Cirrus is the opposite: meticulously waxed, hangared every night, polished annually, and treated like a $400k condominium that happens to have wings. Both populations need the same aviation-approved chemistry — but they need very different amounts of work, and we quote accordingly.
The biggest mistakes on piston-single details happen at the wheel pants, the windshield, and the leading edges. Wheel pants on a 182 or Cirrus collect brake dust that pits the paint if left for a few weeks. Acrylic windshields on every GA single (Cessna, Piper, Beech, Cirrus, Mooney) craze if you wipe them with Windex — they need Plexus or PlastX exclusively. Leading edges show bug strikes that, after a 100-hour flight cycle, will damage the paint clearcoat unless dissolved properly. We also pay attention to fairings (wing root, gear strut, tail-cone), pitot tubes, static ports, and the antennas on top — every one of which can be damaged with the wrong product or technique.
Texas reality check. Stinson Municipal (SSF) and Boerne Stage (5C1) are loaded with owner-operated singles — Cirrus SR22s, Bonanza A36s, Mooney M20s. San Antonio International (SAT) general-aviation ramp has business singles. Hondo (HDO) and Kerrville (ERV) have trainer fleets and personal aircraft. Texas heat bakes leading-edge bug strikes into the paint by day three; weekly washes between trips are the difference between a sharp-looking aircraft and a slowly-degrading one. Owner-operators in TX often fly to Colorado, the coast, and Mexico — bug strike volume is high.
The piston singles protocol.
Pre-detail walk-around with the owner or pilot — identify any taped sensors, fresh paint, repaired panels, or specific items to avoid.
Mask pitot tubes, static ports, AOA vanes (Cirrus AOA), and any antennas with painters' tape and bagged covers.
Pre-soak leading edges, prop spinner, and lower belly with aviation-grade bug remover.
Wet wash with aviation-approved soap when the ramp allows; dry wash with Aero Cosmetics Wash Wax All inside hangars.
Hand-polish painted surfaces — never rotary on rivet lines or fairings.
Wheel pants: clean brake dust thoroughly, polish painted surfaces, inspect for stress cracking around the mounting bolts.
Polished aluminum brightwork (cowl rings on some 172s and 182s, prop spinner) hand-polished with metal polish and sealed.
Acrylic windshield and side windows cleaned with Plexus or PlastX and a fresh microfiber. Never standard glass cleaners.
Cabin: leather or vinyl seat conditioning, side-panel wipe, headliner spot-clean if needed, screen-safe avionics cleaning (Garmin G3X / G1000 / G500, Avidyne).
N-number / registration markings cleaned and protected. Wing-walk strips inspected for lifting.
Final walk with owner — masking removed, sensors uncovered, everything signed off.
What's included.
Every item on this list runs on every piston singles job. No upsells at the door.
Common add-ons for piston singles
- Aircraft ceramic coating (single-aircraft, exterior)
- Belly degrease — heavy exhaust stain on older engines
- Cabin leather restoration / re-dye consultation
- PreBuy detail package (extra thorough for showings)
- Subscription wash-and-wax program for hangared aircraft
Models we see most.
High-wing trainers and travelers
Cessna 152, Cessna 172 Skyhawk (every variant from M to S to NXi), Cessna 182 Skylane (P, Q, R, T), Cessna 206 Stationair, Cessna 210 Centurion, Cessna 175 Skylark (vintage), Maule MX-7 / M-7.
Low-wing piston singles
Piper Cherokee / Warrior / Archer / Arrow / Saratoga / Lance, Beechcraft Bonanza V35 / A36 / G36, Beechcraft Sundowner / Sierra, Mooney M20C / M20F / M20J / M20K / M20R / M20M Acclaim, Diamond DA40 (XLT / NG), Cirrus SR20 / SR22 / SR22T G3 / G5 / G6 / G7.
Specialty and high-performance singles
Pilatus PC-6 Porter (technically turbine but treated similarly), Quest Kodiak, Cessna 210T turbo, Mooney 252 / Ovation, Cirrus Vision Jet (SF50 — small jet but operated by owner-pilots), Beechcraft A36TC Turbo Bonanza, Lancair Columbia (now Cessna TTx).
What owners always ask.
No — we use Plexus or PlastX exclusively on acrylic, with a fresh microfiber every time. We never touch a piston-single windshield with Windex, Glass Plus, or any ammonia-based cleaner. Crazed acrylic is $5-15k to replace on these aircraft; we know better.
Yes — we carry an aviation liability rider specifically for ground operations on detailed aircraft. We can provide a Certificate of Insurance to your FBO or hangar landlord before the appointment.
Yes — Aero Cosmetics Wash Wax All is our default inside hangars with no water runoff. It cleans and protects in one step and works equally well on Cessnas, Pipers, Cirrus, and the rest.
Only with screen-safe microfiber and approved cleaner — distilled water, Plexus, or OEM-approved screen cleaner. We follow Garmin's published guidance for the G3X, G500, G1000, GTN, G3X Touch, and other panels. If you have a specific product, bring it.
Wheel pants get a brake-dust deep clean (most owners can't get into the inner surfaces from outside), a hand polish, and a stress-crack inspection around the mounting bolts. Common item on Cirrus and 182 wheel pants where dust packs in tightly.
A Cessna 172 standard wet wash, polish, and interior runs 3-4 hours. A Cirrus SR22 with cabin leather conditioning and avionics care runs 4-5 hours. A Bonanza A36 with belly degrease and heavy polish work is 4-6 hours. Quote after walk-around.
A standard 172 or Cherokee wash + polish + interior starts at $400. A Cirrus SR22 or Bonanza with cabin leather and screen-safe avionics runs $500-700. Add ceramic coating for $200-300 more, or PreBuy detail for $150 extra. Quote after walk-around.
Park it. We'll handle it.
We come to your driveway, dock, RV park, or hangar. Same care, every job.