Frost removal

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Pbwears1
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Frost removal

Post by Pbwears1 »

Anybody know of a safe product to help get morning frost off the plane ?
Many thanks
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CFIDave
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Re: Frost removal

Post by CFIDave »

TKS fluid -- the same stuff we put in DA42/DA62 de-icing systems will work on frost.

But some places won't let you use it for environmental reasons. For example, we once parked our DA42 out on the ramp overnight at Laconia, New Hampshire (KLCI) in the wintertime and were not allowed to use any fluid to remove frost -- presumably to avoid having the fluid run off into nearby Lake Winnipesaukee. We instead had to wait to depart until 2pm, after letting the sun melt the frost.
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Charles
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Re: Frost removal

Post by Charles »

The MSDS of the approved fluids show that they all contain contain a small quantity (0.5-5%) of alcohol (methanol or isopropylic alcohol) and 60% of ethanediol, a.k.a. ethylene glycol, or regular car anti-freeze. The rest is water.

But ethylene glycol is toxic and I share the toxicity concerns raised in the previous post. So I carry a garden sprayer with a 60% solution of propylene glycol, which has very similar properties as ethylene glycol but is non-toxic (in fact there is some in your toothpaste). It's also a little more viscous so it doesn't drip as much. I spray the plane with it and wipe it off with a towel which I then put in a plastic bag to wash back home. Works great down to well below -10C.
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Re: Frost removal

Post by Soareyes »

Another method is to put hot water, if you can find some, in a garbage bag. With that in one hand and a towel in the other, melt, dry and work your way across the wings and horizontal stabilizer.
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Pbwears1
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Re: Frost removal

Post by Pbwears1 »

Big help ! Thanks to all
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Re: Frost removal

Post by sluis »

I am usually hangared but will be leaving my DA40 out overnight with potential frost. Have some antifreeze ( a few years old) that has the following ingredients:
ethylene glycol
diethylene glycol
dipotassium phosphate
"corrosion inhibitors, silicates, defamer, dyes"
water (50/50 mix)

any thoughts for use as a defroster.
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Charles
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Re: Frost removal

Post by Charles »

This looks like regular antifreeze which I would not hesitate to use as-is (it's already diluted) on the plane.

I used to have concerns about the toxicity of ethylene glycol and favored propylene glycol for this reason, but I since learned that ethylene glycol is quickly broken down when released into the environment so I don't hesitate to use it anymore. Ref.: https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/ToxProfiles/tp96-c1.pdf
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Rich
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Re: Frost removal

Post by Rich »

The few years mine was parked outside I bit the bullet and got some TKS fluid and would apply it with a garden sprayer. There are different formulations of antifreeze these days for different engine types and certainly have additives in it that are not strictly for freeze point suppression. These additives may or may not have some effect on things like flap and aileron hinges.
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Re: Frost removal

Post by smoss »

Anyone know if TKS has an expiration? I have some I put in a spray bottle over a year ago and wondering if it's still good.
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Charles
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Re: Frost removal

Post by Charles »

This might help: viewtopic.php?t=5926
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