Business is really taking off for airplane cleaner Gary Privitera.

His La Mirada-based firm, Gary’s Aircraft Detailing, has expanded the services it offers, giving revenue a lift.

“Revenue has grown 20 percent since last year,” said Privitera, 58, who has added aluminum polishing, leather dyeing, and color matching to the basic cleaning package. “Doing all those services on top of the detailing has made us more successful.”

He and his three employees work on twin-engine planes, private jets, and surveillance aircraft used by law enforcement.

The firm said it cleans nearly 400 planes a year and operates at several airfields around Los Angeles County.

Privitera, who has been in business for more than 25 years, said that while washing an airplane is similar to washing a car, the prices are much higher. Plane detailing costs anything between $295 and $2,000, depending on the size of the aircraft and the services required.

His customers include owners who want their aircraft to get a more polished look and brokers seeking to spruce up their clients’ planes in order to sell them.

– Olga Grigoryants