ASTRO VAN: Detailing a wide, tall roof.

[dschribs]

I'm certainly not a pro - but I have one of these and it's always worked for me.

The top rail is wrapped with foam so if it accidentally touches the side of the vehicle you should be ok.



Have you ever considered one of these??



Little Giant Ladder

 

[Accumulator]

Have you ever considered one of these??



Little Giant Ladder

I don't use it for detailing, but my Little Giant has provided great service for many years. Virtually a must-have product IMO :xyxthumbs

 

[C. Charles Hahn]

Has anybody in here EVER detailed a large truck (semi/18-wheeler cab), tour bus, camper, etc? I mean, most of the time I see them they are so nicely kept. Some of those truckers take serious pride on their vehicles too! I just wonder how they tackle the top of their vehicles (think about those crazy domes and aerodynamic canopies on top of the cabs), they must have a way to reach them, wax them, etc!? I know this is way beyond what the initial topic was, but hey, maybe we can learn something from somebody with that kind of experience???



Thank you again!

Haven't worked on one myself but I was approached about a job a while back on a 45' RV/tour bus and the plan was to rent some scaffolding and place it alongside the vehicle in order to provide a work platform.

 

[Bis]

I'm certainly not a pro - but I have one of these and it's always worked for me.

The top rail is wrapped with foam so if it accidentally touches the side of the vehicle you should be ok.



Have you ever considered one of these??



Little Giant Ladder

I have a similar one, same height, but without the rubber padding which is AWESOME. I am going to come up with my own DIY solution for that rubber padding on mine, because that is one trouble spot that I see with mine.



Thank you.

 

[Bis]

I found out there is a local "truck wash" in my area at a truck spot. Tempted to go look and see if it can somehow accomodate my van. lol

 

[Accumulator]

I found out there is a local "truck wash" in my area at a truck spot. Tempted to go look and see if it can somehow accomodate my van. lol

Aw...don't give up yet :chuckle:



But I gotta say...when I saw you'd bumped this thread I was thinking "oh no, hope he didn't fall while doing the roof!".

 

[Bis]

No but I pulled my back carrying two buckets fulls of water last week. OUCH!!!! LOL

Could not finish the car.

 

[pair of Blazers]

I just use a platform like this:

I have a similar one from Werner to do my Blazers and the 2 RAV's. much better than stool or ladder.

 

[Accumulator]

No but I pulled my back carrying two buckets fulls of water last week. OUCH!!!! LOL

Could not finish the car.

Yow...sorry to hear that!

I have a similar one from Werner..

Yeah :xyxthumbs But I don't think Werner makes them any more My oldest platform is a Werner, and it's better than my Bauer ones in many ways. I tried to find some more of the Werner ones, but was unsuccessful.

 

[Brad B]

Big job? Just use the Autopia jumbo pad. Makes quick work of oversize jobs. :lie:

 

[pair of Blazers]

I saw them last week at Home Depot for 30 bucks I think.

found it. says its $44. I know thats not what I paid last yr.

35-3/4 in. x 39 in. x 41 in. 225 lb. Load Capacity Portable Aluminum Work Platform-AP-20 at The Home Depot

found a HD one

3 ft. Fiberglass/Aluminum Step Ladder with a 300 lb. Load Capacity-L-3041-03 at The Home Depot

 

[Accumulator]

pairofblazers- Ah, OK, those are a little different from what I have, guess it was just my type that got discontinued. I'd sure put some friction material on it so make it less slippery when there's shampoo mix everywhere

 

[pair of Blazers]

now if someone would make one a little longer(60"), one step higher w/anti-skid tread now that would be the ticket. I think that would fit the bill for doing Suburbans and alike.

 

[Accumulator]

pairofblazers- What you described might be about what I have, not that I've measured them recently. I'm only about 5'9" and I have kinda short arms, but I was able to do my Yukon XLD with some effort and my Tahoe is easy enough. They were pleasant overkill when I had my Blazer and the minivan, worked like a dream for those vehicles. And they're nice for doing the roofs of sedans, at least since I already have them (no not necessary, but very handy).

 

[pair of Blazers]

I'm in the same boat at 5'7". I have a short(3 step) little giant ladder that I can separate and put a 2x10 across but it isn't very stable. after it gets wet then the real fun begins. kind of a PIA to move around too.

you have a pic of yours?

 

[Bis]

Ooooh check this one out...

I would imagine it gets pretty wobbly and probably does not have brakes. Easy fix if you own a welder. :0)

 

[Bis]

Here's another idea, more height when needed and covers the full span of an average vehicle, though this plank is pricey!

13 ft. Aluminum Telescoping Work Plank-10813 at The Home Depot

 

[Accumulator]

Bis- IMO that'd be a hassle to climb up/down, which I do countless times in the course of a wash. Also can't help but wonder how stable/secure it'd be when you're leaning/stretching to reach the middle of the roof :think:

 

[Bis]

True. :0(



Just posting ideas I guess...

 

[Accumulator]

Just posting ideas I guess...

Well, if we come up with something cheaper and easier than having the collection of platforms that I keep advocating it'd be worth it, huh? I mean, I'm really happy with five platforms, but that's a big investment and it's a pile of stuff to have around in-between washes too.