Quick Answer
In the Los Angeles market, professional aircraft detailing typically runs $400–$1,500 for single-engine and light twin airplanes (exterior wash, dry-wash or wax, plus interior), $1,500–$4,000 for turboprops and light jets, and $4,000 and up for midsize and larger private jets or full paint-rejuvenation projects. Helicopters usually land between small planes and turboprops depending on rotor and airframe complexity.
Unlike car detailing prices, aircraft work is always quoted per airframe — size, paint condition, brightwork, and cabin scope change the number too much for a flat menu. That's why our aircraft detailing service in Los Angeles is quoted individually: tell us the aircraft type and home airport, and we'll build the package around it. Request a quote to get yours.
What Moves the Price of Airplane Detailing
Five factors set virtually every aviation detailing quote in LA:
- Airframe size and type — a Cessna 172 and a Gulfstream are different days (or weeks) of work. Wingspan, fuselage length, and height-access needs (stands, lifts) drive labor hours.
- Exterior condition — oxidized paint, exhaust staining, bug-baked leading edges, and neglected brightwork take far longer than a maintained surface. Heavy oxidation removal can double an exterior quote.
- Brightwork — polished aluminum spinners, leading edges, and engine inlets are hand-finished metal work billed on top of a standard exterior detail.
- Cabin scope — a quick interior refresh is one thing; deep-cleaning leather, carpet extraction, galley and cockpit detailing, and odor elimination is another.
- Location and access — hangar-side mobile service at your FBO is built into the quote. We bring water, power, and FAA-approved products to any LA-area airport.
Typical LA-Market Ranges by Aircraft Type
These are typical 2026 ranges for the greater Los Angeles market — treat them as orientation, not a menu:
| Aircraft | Exterior detail | Interior detail | Full detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single-engine piston (C172, SR22) | $300–$700 | $150–$400 | $400–$1,000 |
| Twin piston / turboprop (Baron, TBM, King Air) | $600–$1,800 | $300–$900 | $900–$2,500 |
| Light jet (Phenom, Citation) | $1,000–$2,500 | $500–$1,500 | $1,500–$4,000 |
| Midsize+ jet (Challenger, Gulfstream) | $2,000–$5,000+ | $1,000–$3,000+ | $4,000–$8,000+ |
| Helicopter (R44, Bell 407) | $400–$1,500 | $200–$800 | $600–$2,000 |
Ceramic coating for aircraft — the aviation equivalent of the ceramic coatings we install on cars — is quoted separately and typically starts in the low thousands for small aircraft. It protects paint and leading edges against UV, exhaust staining, and deicing fluids, and makes every post-flight wipe-down dramatically faster.
Why Aircraft Detailing Costs More Than Car Detailing
A plane isn't a big car, and the price difference is real work, not markup:
- FAA-approved products only. Household and automotive chemistry can corrode aviation aluminum, attack windows and seals, or leave residue near static ports. Aviation-safe products cost more and demand training.
- Sensitive no-touch zones. Pitot tubes, static ports, antennas, and sensors have to be masked and worked around — carelessness here is a safety issue, not a cosmetic one.
- Access equipment. Tails, wing roots, and upper fuselage panels need stands and careful rigging.
- Airport logistics. Badging, escort requirements, water and power at the hangar, and FBO scheduling all take coordination that a driveway detail never needs.
Our aviation team handles all of it — read what's included in our aircraft detailing service, from exterior hand-washing and brightwork to cabin deep-cleaning and bipolar-ionization odor treatment.
How Often Should You Detail an Aircraft?
For aircraft flown regularly in Southern California, we recommend a full detail every 3–6 months, with quick exterior washes between. Coastal operations (salt air at SMO, Long Beach) and ramp-parked aircraft need the shorter end; hangared planes at Van Nuys or Burbank can stretch it. After long storage, budget for a restoration-level first detail — oxidation and interior staleness build faster than most owners expect.
Get a Real Number for Your Aircraft
We're based minutes from Van Nuys Airport (VNY) — the busiest general-aviation airport in the country — and our mobile teams serve hangars and FBOs at VNY, Burbank, Santa Monica, Whiteman, Hawthorne, Long Beach, Torrance, Camarillo, and El Monte.
Request a quote with your aircraft type and home airport, or call (424) 467-4469 — we'll come back with a tailored package, not a generic rate card. For a deeper look at the process itself, read our complete airplane detailing guide.
