Airplane detailing cost varies a lot. Prices can range from $500 to $5,000 or more. How much you end up spending depends on several factors. There’s aircraft size, the level of detailing required, the location, and the airplane detailing services provider.

Detailing a plane is a specialist job. So, you need experienced detailers to do the work. Before you hire, read references and reviews. For example, our FREE eBook Six Organizational Leaders Who Trust DetailXPerts Share Why highlights our solid past performance:

Factors That Affect Airplane Detailing Cost

The Size of the Aircraft

More than anything else, airplane detailing cost depends on the physical size of the aircraft. Detailing a large aircraft takes more time and effort than detailing a small jet. That’s because there’s more of everything to clean. Here is a cost comparison:

• $150-$200 to exterior wash a Cessna light aircraft model for 4 passengers
• $1,000 to exterior a large business jet, such as a Gulfstream G650 that carries between 11 and 18 passengers
• $5,000-$10,000 for a larger commercial aircraft

Type of Exterior Wash

There are different types of exterior cleaning to consider when working out airplane detailing cost. Here’s a price guide for a small 4-passenger airplane:

• Wet washing ($150-$200): The cleaning team will clean the aircraft exterior with high-pressure water jets and specialist soaps. Experienced detailers will take extreme care to protect the landing gear components and electrical connectors from the pressurized water.
• Dry washing ($150-$300): Detailers use aviation-approved chemicals and microfiber towels to “dry” wash the exterior. This method effectively removes surface dirt and dust. But it might not be suitable for shifting heavy contaminants or certain types of grime. Traditional wet washing or steam detailing techniques may be necessary in such cases.
• Airplane steam detailing ($150-$350): Steam is a green option that adheres to the environmental rules and regulations within the aviation industry. This trusted steam method uses minimal water and a high steam temperature to remove dirt, grease, and grime from the aircraft exterior.

Prices can vary from $50-$100 between different types of exterior aircraft cleaning methods, so always ask detailers for a bespoke quote. Also, the lowest price doesn’t always guarantee value for money. When evaluating cost, look at the quality of service, environmental factors, convenience, and customer satisfaction.

Airplane Detailing Cost for Aircraft Boots

Exterior surface washing small to medium jets cost from $150-$600. However, expect to pay extra for add-on exterior detailing, such as a de-ice boot treatment.

Typically, you could pay an additional $100-$300 for this service. It’s an extra cost but worth it. Keeping the boots clean is an important part of aircraft detailing as it helps to extend the lifespan of essential pieces of equipment.

Amount and the Quality of Aircraft Cleaning Products

Professional detailers use more cleaning supplies on a larger jet than a small single engine aircraft. Therefore, they’ll factor the exact usage into aircraft detailing prices.

You’ll also pay more for high-quality cleaning products. For instance, the cost of cleaning with organic products is usually higher than standard soaps and detergents. But trends show that customers are willing to pay a little extra to help protect the environment.

Aircraft Brand

The brand of aircraft also determines detailing prices. For example, luxury aircraft brands like Embraer or Gulfstream private jets may require specialist detailing. Here are some costs:

$1,000 to $5,000: For smaller private jets, such as light jets or turboprops. This service typically includes cleaning and polishing the exterior surfaces, including the fuselage, wings, and landing gear. Then there is deep interior cleaning, which may involve vacuuming, carpet and upholstery cleaning, and sanitization of surfaces.

$5,000 to $20,000: For midsize and larger private jets, such as midsize jets, super-midsize jets, or large cabin jets, the cost of detailing is higher due to their size and complexity. The services provided may include a more extensive exterior cleaning, such as paint restoration, oxidation removal, and corrosion protection. Also, comprehensive interior cleaning includes deep cleaning of carpets, upholstery, leather, and detailing lavatories and galleys.

Some private jet detailing packages will devote hours to taking care of your aircraft cleaning needs. Remember, you’re also paying for the detailer’s expertise to maintain the sheen and style of custom interior fittings.

Condition of the Aircraft

Most detailers offer price quotes upon viewing the aircraft. An excessively dirty interior will incur additional charges if you want to restore it to like-new condition.

If you keep your aircraft clean and sanitized, it makes future detailing jobs more time-efficient and cost-effective. Moreover, many detailers offer special price plans and discounted rates to regular customers.

Aircraft Detailing Company’s Brand

Your aircraft is a considerable investment. Understandably, you want to partner with a reputable service provider in the aviation industry.

Research shows that many consumers prioritize a great service from a trustworthy detailing brand, even if this means paying a little more. If you are handing over your possession for cleaning, you want to hire someone who knows what they are doing.

Detailer’s Experience Affects Airplane Detailing Cost

Factor the responsibilities and experience of the aircraft detailer job into your airplane detailing cost. Aircraft detailing is more than wiping down the aircraft exterior and vacuuming the cabin. You’re paying for the detailer’s knowledge and experience. And the correct aviation-grade cleaning techniques, tools, and supplies will protect your aircraft.

Interior Aircraft Detailing Prices

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 etc will incur additional charges.

For example, if you pay $300 to wash a small private jet, additional interior detailing will be charged around $150. For a medium jet wash at $400, expect to add $225 for interior cleaning. A larger jet with a $600 exterior wash could incur an extra $350 for an interior clean.

Airplane Detailing Cost for Add-On Services

If you choose add-on services, airplane detailing cost will naturally go up. Not all add-ons are essential detailing procedures, but they will help to extend the lifespan and maintain the resale value of your aircraft. Add-on services include:

Aircraft Exterior Full Wax

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’s a recommended add-on. It also helps to protect the exterior paintwork.

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 $1,000.

Brightwork Metal Polishing

Aircraft metal polishing is a specialist process that results in a mirror-like finish. If you take pride in the appearance of your aircraft, you can spend extra to make your brightwork shine 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. It also protects against oxidation. This treatment ranges from $275 (single engine aircraft) to $850 for a medium jet and $2,500 for a larger jet.

Deep Interior Clean and Sanitization

If you want a deep interior clean, add the cost of specialist disinfecting solutions to 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 for extra aviation disinfectants and associated labor costs.

Seat Care and Repairs

Upholstery care and repair of leather or fabric seats cost from $130 per seat. This service maintains the luxurious look and feel of the seats. The detailing team will pay attention to leather, vinyl, and fabric seat coverings, especially on high-wear areas such as armrests and upper-back cushions.

Schedule upholstery cleaning every 3-6 months. It raises aircraft detailing prices over and above a base detailing package, but it is more cost-effective in the long-term than replacing or re-upholstering seats.

Hiring a Professional Detailer

We’ve provided general estimates in this post. Different factors affect how much aircraft detailing costs. How much you pay typically depends on the aircraft size, ranging from single engines to jumbo jets.

Also, the condition of the aircraft, the detailer’s experience and even the equipment and cleaning supplies will affect prices when hiring a professional detailer to clean your plane. Therefore, it’s advisable to request an accurate quote based on your aircraft’s specifications and the level of detailing you need.

For your peace of mind, choose a trusted brand that offers great value while ensuring an aviation-approved clean. Our professional detailers will provide you with a quote based on the size and condition of your aircraft.

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