Washing and Paint Correction on Truck/SUV roofs

Shane731

Shane731

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Just out of curiosity, how are you guys washing truck and SUV roofs? Do you get up on a step ladder or work platform and use a wash mitt and just keep moving the step ladder/work platform around the vehicle? Do you use a boar’s hair brush or mitt on a handle? I got a boar’s hair brush to do just the roof and windshield on my folks’ two Honda CR-Vs and a Ridgeline, then I hand wash the rest just to try to make things a bit easier, but I’m not entirely convinced that it’s not scratching. To be fair, it is a Hi-Tech Industries Boar’s Hair Brush that I got from a local detail supply shop, not an expensive Montana Boar’s Hair Brush, so I’m not sure how much of a difference that makes. Seems to be well made, but…? :dunno:

Which brings me to my second question. Since this is the roof we’re talking about and doesn’t get seen as much, do you really worry about how perfect it is? Is a little bit of potential scratching/swirling worth the convenience of a brush/mitt on a stick? Should I get a higher quality brush or mitt on a pole or just stick to washing the roof by hand? I guess I usually tend not to worry too much about the roof as long as it’s clean and protected, but I am curious as to what other people think. Thoughts, comments, and constructive criticism are welcome.
 
On a Honda CRV or Pilot, Kia Sorento, and simliar sized smaller SUV’s I use mitts while standing on a step ladder [1 on each side of the vehicle]

On bigger SUV’s like a Suburban or Escalade, or a lifted truck I use a soft nylon brush that’s intended for washing boats. I’ve never noticed it scratching but then again I never really cared to inspect the roof That close because afterall it’s a roof that nobody will ever really see.

A Honda CRV is a piece of cake. I’d use a mitt on that vehicle.
 
I will answer the second part
I think the vast majority of folks that have vehicles that the roofs are tall enough to be out of sight dont expect that the level of cleanliness / correction be on par with the rest of the vehicle. That being said, I once considered trading in a truck to an out of state dealer and when he asked for photos, he was adament that i send several photos of the roof. When I got my truck i did a polish on it pretty darn close to the rest of the truck and coated it also, now all I do every time I wash it I use CarPro Hydro2 on the roof & the wheels and that seems to be keeping it looking pretty darn good.
 
Eldorado2k said:
On a Honda CRV or Pilot, Kia Sorento, and simliar sized smaller SUV’s I use mitts while standing on a step ladder [1 on each side of the vehicle]....
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I take a similar approach, but with one step ladder/tall step stool.

We own a Toyota Highlander and after spraying down the entire roof area, I'll wash it by hand with a wash mitt. I've found even thought it's a mid-size SUV, I can reach to the middle of the roof with just my arms (and I'm an average height) if I get high enough on the ladder/stool. I'll a quarter of the roof by washing everything I can reach. I'll then move the ladder to wash another quarter of the roof. From there I'll move the ladder to the other side and do the same approach. It's not fast, but the entire roof gets cleaned. I think anything similar in size to the Highlander or smaller, should be no problem by hand from my experience.

I used to use a soft brush on a pole, but found I was just as fast by hand. If I was to go back to using a tool for the roof I'd probably use one that has a MF chenille wash mitt on the end vs. one that has a brush.

Polishing and applying and LSP is a little more difficult. I do polish the roof, but I'm sure it probably isn't a great job. My real goal is more of removing old LSP and water spots than it is a showroom correction. A longer polisher like my G15 which has a trigger does seem to be easier to operate than one designed like my HF polisher or a Porter Cable. Applying an LSP and especially a coating is an exercise in patience, but it isn't impossible. I'm just glad I use coatings and don't have to do it more than once every 2~3 years.
 
I have a couple different step platforms to reach any truck/SUV roof. I'll use the rear tires for SUV's. Sometimes it's difficult to machine the middle of some roof's but I get 'em. Washing is easy by inserting my mitt in a hockey stick.

I treat all roof section's as I do the rest of the paint. Down here in FL they get pummelled by UV and many times give up the clearcoat first!
 
On my wife’s Navigator, it often get’s ignored. It’s on my list to take care of soon.
 
Texchappy said:
On my wife’s Navigator, it often get’s ignored. It’s on my list to take care of soon.
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You put that on the Internet? For Eternity? For shame. Lol. Wife’s minivan roof gets minimal love but gets washed every few times I do it. :)
 
Bobby B. said:
I like to use a Werner work platform while working on roofs. I treat the roof just like the rest of the vehicle and use a wash mitt while washing.

Car Wash Mitts, Sponges & More
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This^^^^^

Personally i feel like im taking the lazy way out if i dont treat it the same as the rest of the vehicle.

Had a buddy who would skip the roof on lifted and big trucks, until i busted his cashews enough about it that he started doing it lol

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dgage said:
You put that on the Internet? For Eternity? For shame. Lol. Wife’s minivan roof gets minimal love but gets washed every few times I do it. :)
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Washed, clayed, and a layer of Griot’s 3 in 1 put on it today so I can brag (for once) lol.

Plus it has to be a day I’m able to get out of the wheel chair so I’m covered ;)
 
I will often skip the roof entirely for customers who are coming for a ‘sale prep’ and are really trying to keep it within a reasonable budget.

Roof racks and trim on vehicles like Chevy Traverse and GMC Acadia hide the roof from the view of literally everybody.

On an AIO job I will stand on my Werner bench and run the 3401 across the top one handed in order to reach everything. Not inspecting, not targeting swirls. Cleaning the paint, really. I price AIO SUV jobs with this ‘shortcut’ in mind and customers 100% of the time are thrilled with the price and overall result. And yes, I tell them I got the roof but didn’t target any scratches. Customer fully understands every time.

I hear the position of ‘treat the whole vehicle with equality’ but when I’m trying to make money I’m careful not to waste my time on something a mom of three won’t care about. The roof of her town and country is not something she cares to have swirl free.

If someone came to me with a 20k mile Yukon Denali for a ceramic coat then I would have that conversation with them, and likely spend time on the roof removing swirls. But for me it’s all about communicating with the customer so as to not waste time.


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Since my truck is a regular cab, I can get up in the bed, then stand on the front bed lip and reach the entire roof with a wash mitt or polisher.

Crew cabs and large SUV’s will require ladders or platforms.

As for worrying about perfection on the roof…. I don’t. It gets polished, and protected the same as the rest of the truck, but I’m not about to hover over it looking for micro marring. Lol


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Gorilla platforms are great with an extendable pole wash mitt. I grabbed 2 last time they were on sale for at a local big box home store.
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MikeII said:
Gorilla platforms are great with an extendable pole wash mitt. I grabbed 2 last time they were on sale for at a local big box home store.
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This is what I have. Since I don't have any tall vehicles, it's used for polishing but not needed for washing.
 
What a timely thread... I just finished building a pair of custom sawhorses to use as work platforms in my garage and when washing/detailing my truck.

View attachment 75374 View attachment 75377 View attachment 75376

As for the level of detail I put into the roof, I'm on the same page as Paul... "As for worrying about perfection on the roof…. I don’t. It gets polished,and protected the same as the rest of the truck, but I’m not about to hover over it looking for micro marring".

For washing, it gets the same treatment as every other part of the truck.
 
I bought one of these, currently $149.00, but I think I got it cheaper. Originally I used a heavy duty blue plastic tub, but then I put a lift kit on the FJ, and couldn't reach the middle of the roof when washing it, and it definitely wasn't high enough to polish or wax it. Funny thing is, I still find myself grabbing the blue tub and just standing on the rear tyre, or opening the front door and standing with my feet inside, I only use the platform for longer jobs, like polishing or waxing the roof.

Yes, I still use wax on the roof, the white paint on the roof is single stage, and just looks better with wax, usually Collinite 845.
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