ASTRO VAN: Detailing a wide, tall roof.

B

Bis

New member
Hello folks, trying to figure out an easier way to wash and detail the roof of my van. It is the source of most of the dirt that drips down on the back doors and a real pain in the butt when it comes time to clean. I usually get on a short ladder that barely lets me reach to the middle of the roof, barely.... I go down one whole side, then I do the passenger side. When doing a quick wash that is not so bad, but when you are trying to do a heavy wash to remove old wax, grime, bird poop, etc, it is just too uncomfortable, then if you need to go over it several times with drying towel, protectant, sealant, and such, you are talking a huge toll on your back and arms trying to lean over reaching for all areas.



How do the pro's handle oversized vehicles like these and the taller roofs on Vans and SUV's?



I could get a tall ladder, but a ladder isn't really meant for putting the kind of lateral force I'll be inducing upon its structure with my 230lbs of weight if I just sit it as close as possible to the side of the vehicle. :cooleek: Just saying... lol Are there special ladders????



I get tired just to think of the job ahead when I realize is time to coat the roof with *anything* other than water and soap.



Caring for the roof of the van is important to me, and keeping clean so it doesn't ruin the sides of the vehicle with dirt drips just days after a wash is even more important.



Your help is appreciated. Thankl you!
 
I just use a platform like this:



21rL8c3N2gL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 
I'm 6'7" and just use a small plastic footstool. haha



I try to minimize metal objects around the vehicle while working on it.

You want to be as close to the vehicle as possible when working on the roof to save your back.

There's nothing wrong with leaning up against the car just make sure you aren't wearing anything that would scratch.
 
b34tBoX said:
I'm 6'7" and just use a small plastic footstool. haha



I try to minimize metal objects around the vehicle while working on it.

You want to be as close to the vehicle as possible when working on the roof to save your back.

There's nothing wrong with leaning up against the car just make sure you aren't wearing anything that would scratch.
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Another thing you can do is open the door on the side you're working on, drape a towel over the top of it, and then close the door back up. This way when you lean against the vehicle you're actually just leaning against a towel.
 
I use a bunch of these: Amazon.com: Bauer 20900 Fold-N-Carry Work Platform: Home Improvement . I found the nearest Bauer distributor and got a good cash-and-carry quantity-purchase deal.



If the metal construction gives you pause you could put on some kind of cushioning.



I simply don't get how people can do good work on roofs without such platforms...I mean, I have to position myself at all kinds of angles to do a proper inspection/correction, or even a proper wash. Consider how you work on the hood or trunk lid, probably not like you were standing in one fixed postion, like on a ladder, right? More likely, you move around, getting at the best position to do the work. I want to do the same thingo n the roof that I do on the hood.



Oh, and I won't lean against a vehicle *period*. Ever. Think it's safe? Take your shirt off and rub it against the paint (no, don't really do it...it'll mar it up something awful). I gotta polish out one fender of the Tahoe from where the mechanic must've lightly brushed against it :rolleyes:



If you're using the same platforms as Shiny Lil Detlr, I'd put some kind of friction material on the top surfaces, no way I'd want to slip off of that when it's all wet and soapy.
 
Accumulator said:
If you're using the same platforms as Shiny Lil Detlr, I'd put some kind of friction material on the top surfaces, no way I'd want to slip off of that when it's all wet and soapy.
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Skateboard grip tape works well. It's cheap too, something like 3-5 dollars per sheet.
 
I really like the idea, but how tall are those platforms? It seems like reaching towards the center of the roof would still be a challenge, specially if you are having to detail. I have to lean on the edge of the roof big time in order to reach the middle. I am 5'10", so I am not tall but I am not that short either. Sometimes I just want to climb and sit on the roof! Lol



Being able to step side to side is a huge benefit though...
 
Bis- They're 21" tall. IF they were any taller, yeah it'd be easier to do the center of the roof, but it'd be harder to get up/down all the countless times you have to do that.



I'm just under 5' 10" and I have somewhat short arms. I could do the middle of our minivan with no problems, barely do the middle of the Tahoe, and had to struggle a bit to do the Yukon XL (but was able to do it).



The big thing for me is the wide work area and the rock-steady stability. Besides being able to do work that I simply couldn't do otherwise, I know far too many people whose lives were irrevocably changed by a "little fall" and I simply won't take that kind of risk over detailing a vehicle. Yeah, those platforms are bit pricey, but compared to what? ;)
 
Bis said:
Omg, wouldn't it be nice????????
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Heh heh...yeah...I've rented something similar to change lights/etc. and workmen use them at my house fairly often. Neat things, but talk about pricey!



Actually, that might not be all that great for detailing as you'd have to reach through the cage :think:
 
Accumulator said:
, I know far too many people whose lives were irrevocably changed by a "little fall" and I simply won't take that kind of risk over detailing a vehicle.
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When I was real young I fell off of the roof of a camper,landed on my back, and was temporarily stunned. People feared I'd be paralyed but I bounced back just fine later and was all ready for that evening's dinner. I never did forget the incident, and I'm still the only one in the family not afraid of heights, so I'm very cognizant of ladder safety and I always use the same kind of platform as Charlie's to detail anything like a SUV or van.



I detailed a Mercedes ML last Fall, using the platform was second nature but I have short arms and short legs too for that matter, LOL, so I never look forward to all the reaching to detail a roof.
 
lostdaytomorrow said:
The platform or just use a boars hair brush for quick washes assuming you dont mind a little marring/scratching up there.
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Or get the platforms (note plural ;) ) and use the BHBs the right way and avoid the marring. Sorry...couldn't resist :o



But seriously, I don't see how peole use one platform/etc. :confused: I set up two on each side, and sometimes another at the back, and walk along them. I can't see doing a small area, getting down, moving the platform, doing another area, etc. etc. It's enough work climbing up/down numerous times...that's if you don't have your buckets up on the platform(s) with you.
 
I ahne just opend the door and stood on the sill, I am not a fan of doing it but it has worked. Ladders limited your movement and can be unstable. I will ow be looking into getting me a few of these platforms. They look very nice, and gives you a little room to move your feet.
 
Very cool of you guys to reply regarding this random topic. I guess not so random since there are so many tall and over sized vehicles these days.

Like some of you before I too struggle with the WIDTH of the vehicle. Reaching the center of the roof is where I see most of my troubles and yes, some major rubbing of my T-shirt does take place, there is no other way around it right now, unless I was strapped to a special harness that hung from above and I was reaching the roof of the van like a scene from Mission Impossible. lol Thought the minor friction from my T-shirt is not a major source of trouble for me (plenty of swirlies on my paint already).



Also, I bet it wouldn't be the most comfortable position to lay down on the floor/cage of one of those cherry-pickers, but I'd give it a try any day!!!



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!
 
Right now with my short step ladder I have to move it probably 6 times total. Not a problem for me. But it is uncomfortable to work with since moving side to side is so helpful when doing the roof.



Now what is this Boars Hair Brush stuff I am hearing?
 
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