You get back from a summer cross-country and the leading edges look like a bug graveyard. The belly is streaked with exhaust and oil. You’d wash it, except there’s no hose at the tie-down, the airport only allows wet washing at a wash rack across the field, and the top of the wing and the tail are out of reach without dragging a ladder around the airplane. So it waits another week, and the bug remains bake on in the sun.
That situation is common for a reason. Wash water from an airplane carries soap, oil, fuel residue, and grime, and on most ramps it runs straight into storm drains. That’s why many airports restrict wet washing to designated wash racks connected to proper drainage. Waterless washing sidesteps the problem. Instead of flooding the surface and rinsing dirt away, a waterless wash uses a lubricating formula that loosens and surrounds the dirt so a microfiber pad can lift it off without grinding it into the paint. A good one leaves a protective coating behind rather than stripping what’s already there.
Aero Cosmetics, the company behind Wash Wax ALL, built its reputation on exactly this idea: it describes Wash Wax ALL as the original waterless wash and its Wash Wax Mop as the first tool designed for waterless washing. The mop is what makes a full airframe practical, because it puts a 15-inch pad on a telescoping pole and lets you reach the top of a high wing or a T-tail from the ground.
Quick answer: The Aero Cosmetics Waterless Mop Kit 15″ is a complete waterless wash setup for aircraft and RVs. Its patented double-sided mop applies Wash Wax ALL with one microfiber pad and buffs it to a streak-free finish with the other, in the same pass. The kit includes the mop head, a telescoping Shur-Line Easy Reach pole (4′ to 9′), six microfiber pads, a gallon and a 16 oz bottle of Wash Wax ALL, Wash ALL degreaser, a bug scrubber, and microfiber towels. It’s available on Skyfarer and at Skyfarer Shop.
How the double-sided mop works
The mop head carries two independent, washable microfiber pads, and each one has a single job. The wet side spreads Wash Wax ALL evenly over the surface and loosens the dirt. Flip the mop and the dry side buffs the panel to a streak-free, glossy finish. Because application and buffing happen in one pass, you cover a wing or fuselage section without going back over it with towels. Aero Cosmetics says its customers consistently report cutting cleaning time on aircraft and RVs by 40 to 50 percent.
What’s in the kit
| Mop | 1 × 15″ double-sided Wash Wax Mop head |
| Pole | Telescoping Easy Reach Shur-Line pole, 4′ to 9′ (or choose no pole and use your own) |
| Pads | 6 × microfiber mop pads (2 installed, 4 spares); machine washable and reusable |
| Cleaners | Wash Wax ALL, 1 gallon; Wash Wax ALL, 16 fl. oz.; Wash ALL degreaser, 16 fl. oz. |
| Detailing | Aero Bug Scrubber with handle; 4-pack of Aero Towels |
| Optional add-ons | Bug Scrubber Mini Mop 5″; extra 4-pack of mop pads |
Tips for washing an airplane with it
- Work in the shade on a cool surface. Aero Cosmetics warns against applying Wash Wax ALL to a hot surface in direct sunlight. Wash early, late, or in the hangar.
- Shake Wash Wax ALL well before each use.
- Start with the bugs. Leading edges, wheel pants, and the prop collect the worst of it. The included bug scrubber, or the optional 5″ Bug Scrubber Mini Mop, handles those tight spots and curved surfaces that the 15″ mop can’t reach.
- Use the degreaser on the belly. Exhaust and oil streaks are what Wash ALL is for; follow with Wash Wax ALL to protect the finish.
- Swap pads before they’re saturated. Changing to a clean pad mid-wash keeps you from dragging dirt back across the paint, which is why the spares matter on bellies and long fuselages.
Is this the right mop for you?
The 15″ mop is built for waterless washing, or for drying an airplane after a conventional wet wash. If you have access to a wash rack and plan to wet-wash with a hose most of the time, Aero Cosmetics recommends its 10″ Wet or Waterless Mop instead. If you want a lighter starting point, Skyfarer Shop also lists a Basic Waterless Mop Kit 15″, and replacement 15″ mop pads are sold separately.
Where to buy
The Waterless Mop Kit 15″ is sold by Skyfarer Shop. Find it on the Skyfarer marketplace or order directly from Skyfarer Shop, where you can choose your pole and add-ons. 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
Do I need water at all?
Not for routine cleaning. The 15″ mop and Wash Wax ALL are designed for waterless washing, so you can clean the airplane at a tie-down or in the hangar without a hose.
Can I reach the top of a high wing or the tail?
That’s what the telescoping Easy Reach pole is for. It extends from 4 to 9 feet, which lets you work on high wings and tails from the ground instead of moving a ladder around the airplane.
Can I use my own pole?
Yes. On Skyfarer Shop you can choose the kit without a pole and use one you already have.
How do I clean the pads?
The microfiber pads are machine washable and reusable. Keeping a few spares lets you swap to a clean pad mid-wash and launder the dirty ones afterward.
Is it only for airplanes?
No. The same kit works on RVs, boats, trucks, and cars, so it earns its place in the hangar even when the airplane is clean.
