| If you have de-ice boots on your aircraft you realize | | | | Operators (FBOs). PBS stands for Pneumatic Boot |
| that for them to last you will need to keep them in | | | | Sealant and you can also order it online at; . |
| new condition. In days gone buy aviators and aircraft | | | | It is fairly expensive in price about $40 for a one |
| mechanics have used all sorts of things to keep them | | | | quart bottle or $33.00 each for a case of twelve, |
| in mint condition. This is especially serious if you park | | | | which will run you $400.00; but it is well worth it and |
| your aircraft out doors for any length of time. Like | | | | you can only imagine how costly it will be if the A |
| tires the rubber in de-ice boots gets old and checks. I | | | | and P Mechanic at your next annual inspection tells |
| can remember as a young man cleaning aircraft in | | | | you that those de-ice boots need to be replaced. |
| trade for flight time often using floor wax on the | | | | Being that de-ice boots are a safety item many AI |
| de-ice boots. It worked well indeed. | | | | Mechanics will not sign off the annual if the boots |
| I distinctly remember one day using floor wax and | | | | look checked or old. You may have noticed your |
| then having to climb onto the aircraft and sat on the | | | | de-ice boots with a grungy, yellowed tint or white'ish |
| well saturated de-ice boots I had just coated with | | | | gray from being waxed over; the PBS product can |
| lots of Floor Wax. The floor wax soaked thru my | | | | take care of all that indeed. Light Plane Magazine |
| Levis and underwear and crinkled by rear end to the | | | | stated in one of their articles; "Make no mistake, the |
| point of a horribly painful experience. Floor wax as it | | | | PBS Boot system is the best boot treatment we've |
| dries on skin is not a pretty thing, boy did it hurt and | | | | ever seen." I concur having been in the aircraft |
| I never did that again. | | | | cleaning business for over 25 years; (currently not |
| Today there are special chemically engineered | | | | taking on new clientele). I remember an article in |
| product you can use to keep the de-ice boots in | | | | AOPA Magazine also touting the PBS product. |
| new condition and make sure they work when you | | | | If your de-ice boots look too far gone already try |
| need them most. As ice is forming on the leading | | | | some floor wax and then PBS prep and then the |
| edge of the wing as your depart IFR from an airport | | | | sealant. The prep runs about $16.00 per quart and is |
| a gross weight. One product I recommend is "PBS | | | | a good first step. Save you de-ice boots as they |
| Boot Sealant" which is available at many Fixed Base | | | | may save your life. Think on this. |