How to Properly Maintain and Clean Your Airshow Gear

Properly caring for your airshow gear protects your investment and ensures optimal performance at every event. The combination of outdoor dust, jet fuel residue, humidity, and rough handling means that a consistent cleaning routine is essential for anyone who attends flyovers, aerial displays, or static exhibitions regularly.

Understanding What Airshow Gear Includes

Airshow photography and viewing involve several types of equipment, each demanding specific care. Cameras and telephoto lenses are among the most valuable items. Binoculars, spotting scopes, and digital zoom devices help observers capture distant aircraft details. Protective clothing such as wind-resistant jackets, hats, and gloves also takes significant wear during long outdoor sessions. Accessories including tripod mounts, camera bags, and memory card cases complete the typical kit.

This guide is designed for beginner to intermediate airshow enthusiasts who want to preserve their equipment without relying on professional servicing costs. The steps outlined below can be performed at home with common household materials.

Cleaning Camera Equipment After Each Event

Camera bodies and lenses accumulate airborne contaminants at every outdoor show. Jet exhaust particles and fine dust settle on sensor surfaces and lens coatings if not addressed promptly. Follow these sequential steps to clean your equipment safely:

1. Remove the camera body cap or lens immediately after the event to prevent dust from settling on open sensors during transport.
2. Use a rubber air blower bulb to remove loose debris from the lens exterior and camera body crevices before applying any liquid cleaners.
3. Apply a small amount of lens cleaning solution onto a microfiber cloth rated for optical surfaces. Never spray liquid directly onto the lens.
4. Wipe the front and rear lens elements using gentle circular motions starting from the center and moving outward.
5. Inspect the sensor through a bright light source for persistent specks. If visible contamination remains on the sensor, consider using a sensor swab kit appropriate for your camera mount type or seek professional cleaning service.

Store cleaned camera bodies and lenses in sealed silica gel packs within your camera bag to absorb residual moisture during transit back home.

Maintaining Optics and Viewing Devices

Binoculars and spotting scopes serve as critical tools at airshows where aircraft pass at altitude. These instruments require careful cleaning to maintain image clarity throughout lengthy observation periods.

Always store optical devices in hard-shell protective cases lined with foam inserts. Transport them in upright positions within your vehicle to minimize internal component shifting and potential misalignment.

Protecting and Cleaning Outdoor Clothing

Textile gear worn at airshows faces exposure to jet fuel particulates, sun degradation, and abrasive dirt deposits. Proper garment care involves both surface cleaning and fabric preservation techniques.

Windbreaker jackets and outer shells should be shaken out thoroughly before bringing them indoors. Spot treat any visible fuel stains with a mild detergent diluted in warm water applied with a soft sponge. Rinse the treated areas with a damp cloth and allow the garment to air dry completely before folding or storing. Avoid machine drying since high heat accelerates the breakdown of waterproof membrane coatings over time.

Hats and neck gaiters benefit from hand washing in cold water with a gentle detergent formulated for technical fabrics. Lay flat to dry away from direct sunlight to prevent color fading and fabric brittleness.

Storage Best Practices Between Events

Organized storage prevents damage during off-season periods and reduces the frequency of deep cleaning required between shows. A dedicated equipment station near your entry point makes post-event maintenance straightforward and consistent.

• Keep all camera gear inside airtight plastic containers with desiccant packets replacing any that feel soft or compressed.
• Hang clothing on wide padded hangers rather than folding to avoid permanent crease lines in technical fabrics.
• Place lens caps and body caps on every piece of optical equipment before returning it to its storage compartment.
• Inspect battery contacts quarterly and clean corroded terminals with a cotton swab lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol.
• Rotate tripod leg locks monthly to prevent lubricant buildup from attracting additional dust accumulation.

Seasonal Deep Maintenance Checklist

Beyond routine post-event care, performing a comprehensive inspection at the start and end of each airshow season catches developing issues before they cause irreversible damage.

These seasonal tasks collectively add approximately one hour of proactive care but prevent costly replacements worth hundreds of pounds over successive seasons.

FAQ

Can I use household glass cleaner on camera lenses?

No. Household glass cleaners often contain ammonia and other harsh chemicals that degrade anti-reflective lens coatings over repeated applications. Use only products specifically labeled as safe for optical glass or camera lens surfaces.

How often should I replace desiccant packets in my equipment storage?

Replace desiccant packets whenever they change color indicating saturation, typically every three to six months depending on your local humidity levels. Some manufacturers offer rechargeable silica gel that can be revived in a standard oven.

Is it safe to leave camera batteries charged between airshow events?

Prolonged connection to chargers degrades lithium-ion battery capacity faster than proper cycling practices. Remove batteries from cameras when storing for extended periods and charge them to approximately sixty percent before seasonal storage begins.