Walk down the line at a busy flight school or maintenance shop and look underneath the airplanes. Every one that’s been flying regularly has the same streak: oil mist and exhaust soot trailing back from the cowling, a film of grime along the belly, and on retractables, hydraulic fluid around the gear wells. Multiply that by a dozen or more airplanes, each flying almost every day, and belly cleaning stops being an occasional chore and becomes part of the routine.
Clean bellies aren’t just about looks. Inspectors and line staff can spot a new oil, fuel, or hydraulic leak far more easily on a clean surface, and baked-on contamination is harder to remove the longer it sits.
For an operation that cleans every week, buying belly cleaner a quart at a time doesn’t make much sense. A drum lets the shop refill its own spray bottles and keep the same cleaner on every airplane.
Quick answer: Aero Cosmetics Belly Soap 55 Gallon is a heavy-duty spray-on, wipe-dry cleaner in a 55-gallon drum, made for aircraft bellies and engine areas coated with dried or baked-on hydraulic fluids and oils. It removes grease, oil, hydraulic fluid, and exhaust soot, works on wet or dry surfaces, and meets the Exterior BSS7432 specification. Aero Cosmetics part number: 789G55. Available on Skyfarer and at Skyfarer Shop.
What Belly Soap does
- Cuts heavy contamination. Made for the dirtiest bellies and engine areas, including dried or baked-on hydraulic fluids and oils.
- Removes grease, oil, hydraulic fluid, and exhaust soot. The usual mix found behind the cowling and under the fuselage.
- Spray on, wipe dry. No bucket-and-rinse routine required.
- Wet or dry surfaces. Safe to use on either.
- Meets Exterior BSS7432. An aviation exterior-cleaner specification listed by Aero Cosmetics.
- Not just for airplanes. Also suited to RVs, cars, boats, and motorcycles.
Who the 55-gallon drum is for
The drum size makes sense for operations that clean many airplanes on a regular schedule: flight schools, FBOs, charter operators, maintenance shops, and detailing businesses. Decant it into labeled spray bottles for the line, and keep the drum in your chemical storage area.
Pilot tip: Belly cleaning is a good moment for a close look. With the grime gone, check for fresh oil streaks, fuel stains, hydraulic weeps, and loose or missing fasteners and inspection panels. Write down anything new and have a mechanic look at it before the next flight.
How to use it
- Spray it on. Apply Belly Soap to the contaminated area. It can go on wet or dry surfaces.
- Agitate the tough spots. For the heaviest buildup, Aero Cosmetics recommends pairing Belly Soap with the Aero Scrubber.
- Wipe dry. Use clean towels and turn them often. For greasy jobs, disposable or dedicated towels such as Aero Towels On A Roll work well.
Other sizes
Belly Soap also comes in smaller sizes: the 16 fl. oz. and 32 fl. oz. bottles for individual owners, and the 5-gallon container for smaller shops and busy hangars.
Where to buy
Aero Cosmetics Belly Soap 55 Gallon is sold by Skyfarer Shop. Find it on the Skyfarer marketplace or order directly from Skyfarer Shop. Either link shows the current price. In-stock items ship in 1–3 business days with tracking, U.S. orders over $70 ship free, and most items can be returned within 30 days of delivery.
Frequently asked questions
What does Belly Soap remove?
Grease, oil, hydraulic fluid, and exhaust soot, including dried or baked-on hydraulic fluids and oils on aircraft bellies and engine areas.
Do I need to rinse it off?
It’s a spray-on, wipe-dry cleaner, and it can be used on wet or dry surfaces.
What specification does it meet?
Aero Cosmetics lists Belly Soap as meeting the Exterior BSS7432 specification.
Is there a smaller size?
Yes. Belly Soap also comes in 16 fl. oz., 32 fl. oz., and 5-gallon sizes.
