Cleaning and Disinfecting Garmin Avionics

To safely clean your avionics, use a clean lint-free cloth and a cleaner that is specified as safe for anti-reflective coatings.  You can also purchase a cleaning cloth from Garmin.  The video below demonstrates cleaning of the GTN™ touchscreen avionics. For other units, check your pilot's guide for safe cleaning practices.

Disinfecting your Garmin Avionics:

• To safely disinfect your display, we recommend using an isopropyl alcohol solution (70% alcohol) that does not contain ammonia. For other exposed surfaces, such as knobs, buttons, and bezels, cleaners such as soap & water and alcohol based cleaners are recommended. We do not recommend bleach or ammonia based cleaners.
• Garmin recommends only 70% isopropyl alcohol (isopropanol) for the best combination of bactericidal effectiveness and equipment safety.
• The solution must be at least 70% alcohol and the surface must remain wet for at least 30 seconds to be effective.  Also, the Center for Disease Control recommends wearing disposable gloves when disinfecting surfaces.

Caution:

• Cleaning should be done with no more than a damp cloth (using the recommended previously mentioned cleaners).  Because our avionics are not normally rated as water-resistant, spraying or wetting the units can cause unwanted moisture to go beyond the exterior surfaces. This could damage the unit internally.
• Remove all soap/soap residue to prevent buttons and knobs from gumming up or becoming slippery.
• Cleaners containing ammonia will harm the anti-reflective coating on many Garmin aviation display lenses.
• Not following these recommendations could possibly void the warranty on your Garmin Avionics.
• Please reference Service Advisory 2051 listed below for more information.