Choose a dry wash for light dust, exhaust film and bugs between flights, and a wet wash when the aircraft is caked with grime, salt residue or heavy soot. At Shine My Ride 757, a very light jet dry wash in Hampton Roads is $550–$850 per turn, and wet washes are quoted by tail number.
What is the difference between an aircraft wet wash and a dry wash?
A dry wash is waterless. Aircraft-safe cleaning products go on by hand, and soft microfiber lifts dust, light exhaust film and bug residue off the surface with no runoff. It is quick, it works where water use is limited, and it suits regular upkeep between trips.
A wet wash uses water and an aircraft-safe soap to rinse away heavier buildup that a waterless product shouldn't be asked to lift. It takes more setup, including covering sensitive areas and managing runoff, but it resets a surface that has gone too long between cleanings. Both are done by hand, and pitot tubes, static ports, vents and sensors stay covered the whole time.
When is a dry wash enough?
If the aircraft is cleaned on a regular schedule, most visits can be dry washes. Light dust from the ramp, a thin layer of exhaust film behind the engines and a handful of bugs on the leading edges all come off well with a waterless clean.
This is where the economics make sense for an owner who flies often. A very light jet dry wash runs $550–$850 per turn, or $1,450 a month on a recurring retainer, which keeps buildup from getting to the point where a heavier wash is needed. Where your aircraft lands in that range depends on its condition since the last cleaning.
When does an aircraft need a wet wash in coastal Virginia?
Heavy grime is the main signal: thick exhaust soot, oil streaks on the belly, a full season of bugs baked onto the leading edges, or caked-on dirt after the aircraft has sat outside. Rubbing that much debris with a waterless product risks dragging grit across the paint.
Living near the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic adds another reason. Salt-laden air can leave residue on the airframe, and a thorough rinse is a better way to remove it than wiping it around. Pollen season in Southeast Virginia can also coat an aircraft quickly. In those cases we recommend a wet wash first, then dry washes to maintain it.
How do you decide which wash an aircraft needs?
We look at the aircraft before we recommend anything. Text your tail number or aircraft type to 757-689-9821, along with a few photos and where it is parked, and we will tell you whether a dry wash will do the job or a wet wash makes more sense. You get a written quote before any work starts.
Washing is cleaning only. We don't do maintenance, so any lubrication or inspection after a wash stays with your A&P. If you want residue to release more easily between washes, ask about ceramic protection: seam and exhaust aero ceramic is $2,250, and full airframe ceramic runs $4,500–$6,500 for a very light jet. Learn more on our aircraft detailing in Hampton Roads page, or compare car and boat packages on our pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Is a dry wash safe for aircraft paint?
Yes, when the surface has only light dust, exhaust film or bugs. Heavy grime, salt residue or soot should get a wet wash first so grit is not dragged across the paint.
How much is a dry wash for a very light jet?
A dry wash for a very light jet costs $550 to $850 per turn at Shine My Ride 757, or $1,450 per month on a retainer.
How much does an aircraft wet wash cost?
Wet washes are quoted by tail number. Text your tail number or aircraft type to 757-689-9821 for a written quote.
Book or ask: call or text 757-689-9821 with your tail number, see aircraft detailing in Hampton Roads, or see packages and prices. Serving Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Hampton, Hampton Roads and the OBX.