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How Do You Wash The Roof

F

fp7937

Full Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2002
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16
I have a question for those of you without steps or running boards on you av. How do you wash the roof of your vehicle? I know the bed cover can hold over 200 lbs per panel,so do you climb on those or what? I'm asking because I don't know if I should order mine with or without steps or boards. I had a jeep(junk) with tube steps and they got in the way when I exited the vehicle. However they made washing the roof alot easier.
 
Thats the worst part of an Av. I dont like running boards for off road reasons. I dented my roof by kneeling on it so dont do that. The boards would make it easier just see if there good for you.
 
Even though I have side steps I still step into the cab as well as step on the bed covers. I'm 5'10" and still need the extra reach.
 
I have the Westin Signature nerf bars. I'm 5'11" and can't reach all of the roof. Not even close. I have to use a step ladder. The box covers are rated for 250 lbs. l am not svelte, so I tend to stay off the panels as much as possible. The GM tubular steps mount higher and closer than any of the other bars/boards that I have seen. I believe any loss of ground clearance with them would be minimal. They are on the spendy side however.
 
I'm 6'3" and I just open each door and step "into" the cab to wash the roof. Most of the time I remove the panels to do a thorough bed cleaning, and then it's real easy to just stand in the bed and do the roof.
 
At six- three I never noticed a problem washing the roof. bending over to wash wifes impalla is hell. As long as I wash hers she don't Female Dog about the amount I spend on mine. I also use a car wash broom and five gallon bucket. Rince and walk. >:D
 
I'm with Zimms. I open the door & step in. To wash the covers & back window I just climb aboard. I'm 6' & 230.
 
I bought one of those extendible handles that has a foam pad covered with a cotton chenille pad. Works great, and it actually speeds up the entire washing process. I can cover a lot of area quickly with that thing... I think I got it a Target

--BN
 
Wash the roof - you mean you're supposed to wash the roof? I mean if you can't see it, it must not be dirty !!

I use a step stool - two steps is enough to get me high enough to do the job. I've also climbed on the bed covers, but it's hard to get the front edge of the roof and the top of the windshield (with all the bug guts) that way.
 
I'm 5'8" and around 200. I just climb onto the bed (boy those built-in steps in the bumper are handy) and stand on panel 1. Since I also assumed I'd dent the roof by climbing up that far, I just kind of lean as far as I can. I can pretty much get all the roof up to the sunroof and get the front of the roof by standing in the door.

Jamie
 
I plan on going to the car wash ;D I buy the coupons 10 for $50 and 3 waxes.
 
I have a 2 ft. step ladder and a brush that is 5ft. long
 
I use a washing tool called a Shawala. It is made of the same material car washes use for those strips that hang down an swish back and forth. For drying I use a Swifter Mop handle with a terry cloth towel cut to fit. This works really well for polish removal on the roof also. I also bought one of those two wide step stools with a safety handle for getting a little extra reach.
 
I use a 2 or 3 step ladder I own....makes it easier and less likely to scratch the side with my clothes when reaching over....when I have panels removed I may climb in the truck to clean the roof and then come back later and clean out the bed.
 
Well, I am 200 lbs. and this is the way I do it. I climb up on the back and lay across the roof spread eagle to distribute my weight as much as possible. The roof seems fairly strong as I do not feel any give whatsoever, but I am careful. I'm sure the neighbors look at me strangley seeing me laying face down on my roof. ;D
 
I almost always remove the top panels and bed-liner when washing so I can hose out the bed. So, to wash the roof, I hop in the bed, climb up on the roof and kneel on the top sail panel. Gotta stretch waaaaaay out to get the roof above the windshield though.
 
With the lift and tires I got to get out the 6ft step ladder for me to wash the roof. Even still it is quite a reach for little 5'10" me to reach the center.

Drying the roof is the real pain. The CA water blade doesn't do that good of a job because of all the ridges the roof has.


 
HBear said:
...For drying I use a Swifter Mop handle with a terry cloth towel cut to fit...
Click to expand...

Great idea bfron! :0: Easy to change and you can decide what cloth to use.
 
flynhigh said:
With the lift and tires I got to get out the 6ft step ladder for me to wash the roof. ?Even still it is quite a reach for little 5'10" me to reach the center.

Drying the roof is the real pain. ?The CA water blade doesn't do that good of a job because of all the ridges the roof has.
Click to expand...

I actually love the CALI water blade, when drying off the AV. What works best for me, is to use the blade and slide it perpendicular to the ridges instead of parallel with them. .Just have to be careful that you don't pull all the water towards yourself in the process. I have to use a small 3 ft. ladder so I can swipe off the roof, and I still have to position it 4 times to completely dry off the roof with a chamois
Oh, and I usually use the circular wash pad thing on a extended pole for the roof. I used it for the entire AV one time, but found that I missed a lot of areas, so I use a hand mit for the rest of the AV.
Of course, when I'm really lazy, I break out the leaf blower. It really does a great job on the mirrors, and around the aftermarket grill.

Malcolm
 
Being 6ft, I just open the doors and step up and scrub - if I was shorter I would need a ladder.

The other day I used a clay bar and Zaino on the roof - makes keeping it clean much easier :)
 
pdxkevin said:
I'll pick 'Cheerleaders holding a carwash' for a 100, Alex.
Click to expand...
I would suggest your local Hooters charity car wash.

Either way, be sure and let them know it is ok for them get on the cargo panels to wash the roof.

hint: ?take advantage of the photo op and submit the best ones to my new CAFCNA swimsuit screensaver or calendar ?>:D
 
Goo,

No doubt your's is the best method yet.

Use a three step ladder myself. How boring!!!!!
 
goo929 said:
I would suggest your local Hooters charity car wash.

Either way, be sure and let them know it is ok for them get on the cargo panels to wash the roof.

hint: ?take advantage of the photo op and submit the best ones to my new CAFCNA swimsuit screensaver or calendar ?>:D
Click to expand...
Oh, man!!! How did I miss this post for a week? Goo, you rock dude!
 
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