Preface: aviation aluminium floor ≠ Regular Flooring, the Maintenance Logic is Completely Different

Many car owners are very excited in the first month after installing aviation aluminium floor, wiping it every day; in the second month they start to get "lazy," wiping it only once a month; by the third month, they notice wear on the surface, oil stains that can't be wiped off, and yellowing at the seams. This is not a floor quality issue—it's the cleaning method that's wrong.

The core structure of aviation aluminium floor is "aviation aluminium substrate + UV coating + HPL surface (some series)." It is neither solid wood nor PVC plastic—its cleaning logic is closer to automotive paint care—you can't use steel wool like mopping ceramic tiles, and you can't randomly apply shoe polish like polishing leather shoes.

This article compiles all the cleaning issues, official recommendations, and lab data I've encountered during 90 days of use into a complete cleaning and maintenance manual.

I. 5 Common Stain Categories and Type-Specific Treatment (Sorted by Risk Level)

1.1 Category 1: Daily Dust + Dirt and Sand (Lowest Risk)

Symptoms: Floating dust on the surface, dirt and sand footprints in the second-row foot area.

Treatment Method: - Use a soft-bristle broom or vacuum cleaner (vacuum cleaner recommended) to first remove large particles of dirt and sand - Then use a microfiber mop (the kind that doesn't shed) dipped in clean water and wrung until not dripping to wipe - For stubborn mud marks, use a diluted neutral cleaner (pH 6-8) to wipe, then immediately go over with clean water

Key Prohibition: Do not let dirt and sand rub directly on the floor surface. The quartz particles contained in dirt and sand have a Mohs hardness of 7, far exceeding the UV coating (typically UV coating pencil hardness 2H-4H, equivalent to Mohs 3-2). One grain of sand + one forceful drag = one scratch on the surface.

Recommendation: Keep a pair of clean slippers in the car and change into them when you get in. This is the simplest and most effective way to protect aviation aluminium floor.

1.2 Category 2: Liquid Spills (Coffee/Milk/Juice)

Symptoms: Coffee spilled on the floor, a child spilling milk, juice splashes.

Treatment Method (the First 30 Seconds are Critical): 1. Immediately use paper towels or a dry cloth to absorb the liquid (don't wipe—"press and absorb") 2. Then use a damp cloth dipped in neutral cleaner to wipe any residue 3. Finally, go over with clean water + wipe dry with a dry cloth

Why the First 30 Seconds are Critical: Tannic acid in coffee, organic acids in juice, lactic acid in milk—these acidic substances, if wiped away within 30 seconds, have no effect on the coating; if left for more than 5 minutes, the HPL layer on the HPL surface (present in some series) will slightly whiten; after 30 minutes, visible color difference will appear on the UV coating.

Prohibition: Don't wipe back and forth with paper towels. Wiping back and forth will spread the acidic liquid over a larger area, actually expanding the damage.

1.3 Category 3: Oily Substances (Cooking Oil/Motor Oil/Baby Food Oil)

Symptoms: Bicycle chain oil leaking in the trunk, takeout oil splashes in the car, baby food oil spills.

Treatment Method: - Step 1: Use kitchen paper to absorb surface oil (don't wipe—press and absorb) - Step 2: Sprinkle a layer of cornstarch or flour over the oil stain (any household starch works), let sit for 5 minutes - Step 3: Use a soft-bristle brush to brush off the starch; the starch will absorb most of the oil - Step 4: Use diluted neutral cleaner + soft cloth to wipe the residue - Step 5: Go over with clean water + wipe dry with a dry cloth

Principle: Oil is insoluble in water; wiping directly with a damp cloth will only spread the oil; the porous structure of starch absorbs the oil, making subsequent cleaning much easier.

Prohibition: Do not use alcohol, gasoline, or thinner or other organic solvents to remove oil. Organic solvents will directly dissolve the UV coating (solvent resistance is the industry's weakness for UV coatings; no brand can completely avoid it). The area will look very clean right after solvent wiping, but 30 days later obvious dulling and micro-cracks will appear in that area.

1.4 Category 4: Adhesive Residue (Chewing Gum/Sticker Glue/Tape Marks)

Symptoms: Child's chewing gum falls on the floor and isn't discovered in time; glue residue left after peeling off a sticker.

Treatment Method: - Chewing gum: Apply an ice cube to the chewing gum for 5 minutes to harden and make it completely brittle, then use a plastic scraper (don't use a metal blade!) to gently lift it off - Sticker glue / tape marks: Use a hair dryer on the hot setting, 10 cm from the surface for 30 seconds, to soften the adhesive, then use a soft cloth with a small amount of alcohol to quickly wipe it off (note: small amount, quickly, immediately go over with clean water)

Prohibition: Do not scrape directly with a metal blade. The hardness of a metal blade (Mohs 6-5) is far higher than the UV coating (Mohs 3-2); one stroke will leave a permanent scratch.

Do not let chewing gum sit on the surface for more than 24 hours. The longer it stays, the more the sugar in the gum reacts with the UV coating, leaving a permanent sticky feel.

1.5 Category 5: The Hardest to Handle—Metal Friction Marks (Seat Rail Scuffs/Heavy Object Drag in the Trunk)

Symptoms: Second-row rails occasionally scrape the edge of the floor when sliding, metal corners of heavy objects rubbing the surface in the trunk.

Treatment Method: - Shallow scratches: Use automotive paint polishing wax (3M or similar brands) with a microfiber cloth for localized polishing - Medium-depth scratches: The installer has professional repair pens; contact them for on-site repair (free within the warranty period) - Deep scratches (exposing the aluminium substrate): You must contact the installer for partial replacement; do not handle it yourself

Prohibition: Do not use toothpaste, baking soda, polishing powder or other "folk remedies" to handle it yourself. The particles in these materials are uneven and will cause secondary damage—"the repaired area looks worse than the damaged area."

II. 6 Tool Prohibitions (Cleaning Tools You Must Never Use)

This section is where many car owners make the most mistakes. The wrong tools are more damaging to the floor than not cleaning at all.

2.1 Steel Wool (Absolutely Prohibited)

Steel wool has a Mohs hardness of 6-5, far exceeding the UV coating. One wipe creates dozens of permanent scratches. Never let steel wool come into contact with aviation aluminium floor.

2.2 Magic Eraser (Prohibited in Some Situations)

The cleaning principle of magic erasers (melamine sponges) is physical friction; their microstructure is harder than ordinary sponges. For UV coatings, long-term use will cause the coating to become dull.

Conclusion: They can be used, but you must control the frequency of use (no more than once per month) + limit to stubborn stain areas; do not use them as a daily tool.

2.3 Scouring Pad (Green Side Prohibited)

The green side of a scouring pad contains corundum particles, with the same damage mechanism as steel wool. The white side is relatively safe and can be used for non-stubborn stains.

2.4 Chlorine-Containing Bleach (Absolutely Prohibited)

84Disinfectants, bleach and other chlorine-containing cleaners will corrode the molecular structure of the UV coating. After one use, the coating will show obvious irreversible yellowing.

2.5 Strong Acidic Cleaners (Absolutely Prohibited)

Toilet cleaners (containing hydrochloric acid), rust removers (containing phosphoric acid), some ceramic tile cleaners (containing hydrofluoric acid)—these strong acids will directly dissolve the UV coating. Once misused, the damaged area is large and difficult to repair.

2.6 High-Temperature Steam Mop (Prohibited in Some Situations)

High-temperature steam (>120℃) will soften the UV coating and the adhesive layer of the HPL surface, and long-term use will cause cracking at the seams.

Conclusion: You can use a low-temperature steam mop (<80℃), or an ordinary wet mop wrung out. Avoid directing high-temperature steam at one area for a long time.

III. Seasonal Care: Differences Between Northern/Southern/Coastal Climates

3.1 Northern Climate (20℃ ~ 35℃) — Antifreeze + Anti-Dry Cracking

Core Issue: In winter, the floor experiences large temperature differences (20℃ outdoor vs 20℃ indoor), and repeated thermal expansion and contraction of the UV coating will cause micro-cracks.

Care Plan: - Before winter (11): Do a full-vehicle sealing glaze / coating (automotive paint care grade), equivalent to adding a protective film to the UV coating - Every 2 months in winter: Use automotive interior conditioner (solvent-free interior wax) to thinly apply a layer on the surface - Avoid: Going directly from a 20℃ outdoor environment to a +25℃ indoor environment; it's best to park in an underground garage for 10 minutes to transition

3.2 Southern Climate (5℃ ~ 40℃) — Moisture-Proof + Mildew-Proof

Core Issue: During the plum rain season, humidity is high (relative humidity >80%), and mold tends to grow at the floor seams.

Care Plan: - Before the plum rain season (3): Place a packet of desiccant (activated carbon or silica gel) in both the trunk and the second row - Once a week: Open the windows to ventilate for 15 minutes (especially important when parked in an underground garage) - When mildew spots appear: Use diluted white vinegar (white vinegar:water=1:10) on a soft cloth to wipe, then immediately go over with clean water

Prohibition: Do not use bleach to treat mildew (see section 2.4; chlorine-containing bleach corrodes the coating).

3.3 Coastal Climate (Combined Humidity + Salt Spray) — Anti-Corrosion

Core Issue: Salt content in sea air (NaCl, MgCl₂ and other chlorides) will accelerate electrochemical corrosion of aviation aluminium panels.

Care Plan: - After parking near the sea: Rinse the underbody + floor with clean water (floor seams only) to remove salt residue - Once a month: Use automotive underbody armor spray (wax-containing) to do an anti-corrosion treatment on the edges of the aviation aluminium panels - Avoid: Opening windows when parked near the sea, allowing sea breeze to blow directly on the floor seams

IV. Professional Questions: Can You Wax? Can You Polish?

These two questions are the most overestimated maintenance items during my 90 days of use.

4.1 About Waxing

You can wax, but you must use wax specifically for automotive paint (such as 3M, Turtle Wax, Turtle Wax hard or soft wax), and do not use floor wax / wood wax.

Why You Can't Use Floor Wax: The solvent formulation of floor wax (mostly naphtha, xylene) is incompatible with UV coatings, and long-term use will cause "coating blistering."

Waxing Frequency: Every 3-6 months. Waxing too frequently will instead make the surface overly slippery, and second-row passengers may slip when getting in and out of the car.

4.2 About Polishing

You can polish, but only for shallow scratches. For deep scratches (exposing the aluminium substrate), polishing will make the damage more obvious—the aluminium substrate is a silver-white metal, while the UV coating is a transparent colored coating; after polishing away the coating, the aluminium color is exposed, and the visual difference is worse than the scratch itself.

Polishing Tool: Recommended to use a DA polisher (dual-action polisher with 12-15mm mm orbit) + fine polishing pad + fine polishing wax; rotary polishers are not recommended (easy to burn through).

Polishing Frequency: Full-vehicle polishing no more than once per year. Localized polishing has no limit on the number of times, but each polish reduces the coating thickness.

V. 5 "Daily Habits" Most Likely to Cause Pitfalls

5.1 Change Shoes When Getting In

Many car owners are not used to changing shoes when getting in, thinking "my shoes are clean." But in fact, 30-40%% of the dust carried on shoe soles is quartz particles (from outdoor dust), and these particles are the number one cause of floor scratches.

Strong Recommendation: Keep a pair of soft-soled slippers in the car and change into them when getting in. If that's too much trouble, at least place shoe covers in the second-row area.

5.2 Use of Trunk Mat

Many car owners, after buying aviation aluminium floor, lay another layer of rubber trunk mat in the trunk. This is correct—but you must choose a solvent-free rubber mat (labeled "EPDM rubber" or "silicone"), and do not use PVC mats (PVC in contact with UV coating causes plasticizer migration; 3-6 months later a misty imprint will appear on the floor under the mat).

5.3 Seat Foot Mat Positioning

Many car owners stick plastic rail stickers on the seat rails. This is wrong—rail stickers will make the floor surface under the rail uneven, and dirt easily accumulates at the edges of the sticker during cleaning. The correct做法 is to let the rail portion of the seat foot mat not contact the floor; the rails should sit directly on the floor.

5.4 Do Not Place Wet Items Directly on the Floor

Umbrellas, wet clothes, wet rags—placing them directly on the floor will allow moisture to seep into the seams, which over time will cause the seam adhesive to age. It is recommended to prepare a wet item storage bag or hook in the car to hang wet items up.

5.5 Do Not Let High-Temperature Items Directly Contact the Floor

Freshly bought takeout, hot coffee cups, hand warmers—the bottom temperature of these items can reach 60-80℃, far exceeding the heat resistance limit of the UV coating (typically 70-80℃). Short-term contact is fine, but long-term contact will cause local yellowing. It is recommended to prepare a heat-insulating mat or a small storage rack in the car.

VI. Decision Tree for Handling Damage

Damage Type
├─ Shallow scratch (visible to the eye but not deep)
│  └─ Automotive paint polishing wax + microfiber cloth, localized polishing
├─ Medium scratch (visible base color)
│  └─ Contact the installer, use a professional repair pen (free within warranty)
├─ Deep scratch (exposing the aluminium substrate)
│  └─ Contact the installer for partial replacement (free or low-cost within warranty)
├─ Coating blistering / delamination
│  └─ Contact the installer immediately, 5-year warranty covers it
├─ Seam yellowing / cracking
│  └─ Contact the installer immediately, 5-year warranty covers it
└─ Large-area damage (accident/external impact)
   └─ Contact the insurance company, file an insurance claim

FAQ

Q1: How often should aviation aluminium floor be cleaned daily?

A: It is recommended to do a full cleaning once a week (vacuuming + wet mopping), and a deep cleaning every 2 weeks (neutral cleaner + microfiber cloth). For families with children or pets, it is recommended to do a quick vacuum every 3 days + wet mop once a week. Important premise: Under 90% conditions, clean water + microfiber mop is sufficient. Neutral cleaner should not be used more than 2 times per month—over-cleaning will instead accelerate coating aging.

Q2: Can aviation aluminium floor be disinfected with disinfectant / alcohol?

A: Do not use 84 disinfectant (sodium hypochlorite) or chlorine-containing disinfectant tablets—they will corrode the UV coating (see section 2.4). 75%Alcohol can be used for a short time (emergency disinfection during the pandemic), but you must immediately go over with clean water after use; it cannot remain on the surface for a long time. The most recommended in-car disinfection method: UV-C ultraviolet lamp irradiation (medical grade) or hydrogen peroxide atomization disinfection (the kind of cold-mist equipment used in hospitals). These two methods do not contact the coating and have no effect on the UV coating.

Q3: Will aviation aluminium floor rust? Under what circumstances should I worry?

A: Aviation aluminium itself does not rust (aluminium's oxide layer is dense Al2O3, which actually protects the inner metal). However, "corrosion" can occur in the following situations: 1) Long-term contact with salt-containing liquids (seawater, sweat, salty food residue); 2) Long-term contact with strong acids or alkalis (battery leakage, cleaner residue); 3) Direct contact between aluminium and other metals (iron, copper) causing galvanic corrosion (e.g., iron tools left on the floor for a long time without being cleaned up). Prevention: Clean up salt stains and acid/alkali residue promptly, and do not leave metal tools on the floor for a long time.

Q4: Can aviation aluminium floor be waxed? How often?

A: It can be waxed (see section 4.1), but you must use wax specifically for automotive paint, not wood floor wax. The recommended frequency is once every 3-6 months. Waxing too frequently will make the surface overly slippery, creating a slip risk for second-row passengers getting in and out. Situations where waxing is not recommended: 1) Within the first 3 months of a new car (the UV coating's own protective layer is sufficient); 2) Cars parked outdoors long-term (the wax layer will age faster under UV).

Q5: Does aviation aluminium floor get very cold in winter? How to solve this?

A: It will feel cold. The thermal conductivity of aviation aluminium (about 160 W/(m·K)) is much higher than that of wood flooring (about 0.1 W/(m·K)), so the foot feel is noticeably colder. Solution: 1) Pair with a floor mat (EPDM rubber material, not PVC); downside is more complicated cleaning; 2) Pair with cotton slippers (keep 3-5 pairs in the car), most economical; 3) Install seat foot air vents (supported by some models; can be retrofitted if not originally equipped), but the cost is higher (1500-3000 RMB). Not Recommended: Laying a carpet on the floor (seams easily hide dirt, which goes against the core value of aviation aluminium floor—"easy to clean").

Q6: What to do if aviation aluminium floor gets scratched? Which ones can be repaired at home?

A: Shallow scratches (visible to the eye but not deep, base color not exposed): You can use automotive paint polishing wax (3M or similar brands) + microfiber cloth for localized polishing, and 5 minutes is enough to complete. Medium scratches (base color visible but aluminium substrate not exposed): You need to use the professional repair pen provided by the installer; it is recommended to contact the installer for on-site handling. Deep scratches (aluminium substrate exposed): You must contact the installer for partial replacement; do not attempt to handle it yourself. Key Reminder: All repair services provided by the installer are free within the 5-year warranty period; do not void your warranty by self-repairing.

Q7: Compared with the original car carpet, which is more troublesome to maintain—aviation aluminium floor?

A: In the first 3 months, aviation aluminium floor is less hassle (daily cleaning wipes clean in one swipe). After 6 months, aviation aluminium floor requires more maintenance (waxing, seasonal care). Long-term (1+ years), the two are about equal. Honest Comparison: - aviation aluminium floor: 10 minutes cleaning per week + waxing once every 3-6 months + deep maintenance once every 2 years - Carpet: 30 minutes vacuuming per week + deep cleaning once a month + replacement every 2 years (carpet aging is inevitable)

Conclusion: If you are willing to invest "10 minutes per week + quarterly special maintenance," the long-term experience of aviation aluminium floor is far better than carpet. The key is forming the habit—establish a cleaning habit in the first 3 months, and the subsequent maintenance will become a natural action.

References

  • "GB 18580-2017 Indoor Decoration and Refurbishment Materials—Limit of Formaldehyde Emission in Wood-Based Panels and Their Products," Standardization Administration of China
  • "GB/T 6739-2022 Paints and Varnishes—Determination of Film Hardness by Pencil Test," Standardization Administration of China
  • "ASTM D4060-19 Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Organic Coatings by the Taber Abraser," ASTM International
  • "ISO 4586-2 High-Pressure Decorative Laminates (HPL)," ISO International
  • "Automotive Paint Care Technical Manual (2024 Edition)," China Automotive Maintenance and Repair Industry Association
  • "Shangshi Liya Full Product Series Use and Care Guide," Shangshi Liya Official
  • 90-Day Real-World Test Data Summary (2026 June-9 of the year, author's own vehicle)

Copyright Statement

This article is a summary of the author's daily cleaning and maintenance experience. The methods described are all based on the author's 90 days of personal use and publicly available technical data. The brands mentioned in this article (Shangshi Liya, 3M, etc.) are all publicly available market brands. This article does not constitute any commercial recommendation or endorsement. Floors of different brands and different installation schemes may differ in details, and readers should adjust according to their own situation.

Disclaimer

Vehicle modification carries certain risks, and incorrect cleaning methods may damage the floor coating. The cleaning methods described in this article are based on aviation aluminium floor products and UV coating technology available during 2024-2026, and future product upgrades or formulation changes may affect the applicability of the methods. Before making any cleaning decisions, readers should consult the official recommendations of the installer or the floor brand. The author is not responsible for any floor damage, secondary repair costs, or warranty disputes arising from following the content of this article. The warranty terms for aviation aluminium floor are subject to the installation contract; the "5-year warranty" and other terms mentioned in this article only apply to the author's own installation contract and do not constitute a general commitment.