What Is Wet Washing?
Wet washing is the traditional method. Water, soap, rinse, dry. It’s what most people picture when they think of aircraft cleaning.
The aircraft is hosed down, a cleaning solution is applied, the surfaces are agitated with brushes or mitts, and the whole thing is rinsed off with water. It works, and for certain situations — heavy contamination, post-flight in sandy or coastal environments — it’s sometimes the right call. But it comes with operational baggage.
What Is Dry Washing?
Dry washing — sometimes called waterless or rinseless washing — uses specially formulated cleaning products that lift dirt and contaminants off the surface without water. The product is applied to the aircraft, worked into the surface with microfibre cloths or mitts, and then buffed off. No hoses. No rinse water. No runoff.
It sounds counterintuitive if you’re not familiar with it, but the chemistry behind modern dry wash products is well established. They encapsulate dirt particles and lift them away from the paint, allowing safe removal without dragging contaminants across the surface — provided the technique is right.
The Downsides of Wet Washing
Wet washing isn’t just soap and water. On an airport, it gets complicated fast.
Wastewater and Drainage
When you wet wash an aircraft, the runoff — water mixed with cleaning chemicals, degreasers, oil, hydraulic fluid, and carbon residue — has to go somewhere. It can’t just drain onto the apron and into the airport’s surface water system.
Environmental regulations require that wash water is captured, contained, and disposed of properly. That means approved drainage infrastructure, oil-water separators, or wastewater collection systems. Not every stand or parking area on an airfield has that setup. And where it does exist, there are often restrictions on when and how it can be used.
This creates a logistical headache. You’re limited in where you can wash, you may need to coordinate with airport operations, and in some cases you’re paying for access to wash bays or drainage facilities.
Equipment and Setup
Wet washing requires significantly more kit. Water supply, hoses, pressure washers or foam lances, drying equipment — all of which needs to be brought airside, set up, and packed down. For mobile detailing operations, this adds time, cost, and complexity.
Water Spotting
If the aircraft isn’t dried properly — or quickly enough — water spots form. On dark paint and polished surfaces, these are visible and frustrating to deal with after the fact.
Why Dry Washing Works Better for Most Situations
For routine aircraft cleaning, dry washing is the more practical option. Here’s why.
No Drainage Requirements
Because there’s no water runoff, there’s no wastewater to capture or dispose of. You can clean the aircraft on any stand, at any FBO, without needing access to specific drainage infrastructure. This is a massive operational advantage — especially at smaller airfields or when working at locations you’re not based at.
Simpler Logistics
For operators and FBOs, dry washing removes the coordination headaches that come with wet washing. There’s no need to arrange water supply access, book designated wash bays, or deal with drainage facility requirements. The aircraft can be cleaned on stand, on schedule, without depending on airport infrastructure availability.
Environmentally Friendlier
No chemical-laden runoff entering drainage systems. No water waste. The used cloths are laundered and reused. It’s a cleaner process all round — which matters more and more as airports tighten their environmental policies.
Consistent Results
A properly executed dry wash delivers a clean, streak-free finish. Modern dry wash products are specifically formulated for aviation paint systems and are more than capable of handling routine dirt, exhaust residue, and environmental contamination.
The Catch: You Need to Know What You’re Doing
Dry washing requires proper technique. Without it, there’s a risk of introducing swirl marks into the paintwork. This comes from not using enough product, applying too much pressure, or working with contaminated cloths.
Proper dry washing uses plenty of product to lubricate the surface, clean microfibre cloths that are rotated and folded frequently, and light pressure — letting the product do the work rather than forcing it. Each section of the cloth is used once and then folded to a clean side. This prevents contaminants from being dragged across the paint.
How We Approach It at Xperior Aviation
Dry washing is our go-to for routine aircraft cleaning across the UK. We’ve built our process around it because it’s operationally practical, delivers consistent results, and works within the realities of airside operations — no drainage dependencies, minimal equipment footprint, and no environmental headaches.
We understand surface preparation, lubrication, and contamination management. Every cloth is tracked, every panel is worked methodically, and we know how to get the best out of the method every time.
We operate across UK airports, from London-area fields to the Midlands and beyond. If you want your aircraft cleaned properly without the operational complexity of a wet wash, get in touch.
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