cleaning/waxing truck roofs

SierraDetail

SierraDetail

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For any other short people out there; I am 5'4, and live in the land of pickups and lifted pickups, I want to start using a DA instead of everything by hand, but how do you use a DA on the roofs without using anything like an aluminum ladder that could damage the vehicle (and doesn't even get you as close as you need to be?
 
I stand in the bed and do mine, but I have a reg. cab.
 
Ah, that would help a bit, could use a non metal stool from there. Thanks!
 
I have a crew so I stand in the bed to get the back half then open the front doors and stand inside the cab to get the front quarters.
 
I am 6' and I use a 13" platform made by Werner. I also have a 13' and 17' multi ladder that I take apart and a painters sccaffold. The ladders with the scaffold allow me to put it at asafe height and can leave it far enough from the vehicle.

Being that you are 5'4" makes it a bit more challenging than me at 6'1". If you go the ladder way make sure you tie Down the scaffold so it doesn't move and come disconnected from the ladder. The fall is not a good one.

Ed
 
I'm 5'4" also so I always bring out my Werner work platforms. For most vehicles, I can reach the middle of the roof with a few exceptions. Some of them being a Honda Pilot and F-250 trucks. For those, I call in backup in the form of extra helpers who are about 5'11".
 
I open the doors and stand in them and I also stand in the bed.
 
Add me as another one that stands inside the doors. Make sure your shoes are clean :xyxthumbs:
 
In addition to my work platform, i stand on the top of the rear tires to get a big percentage of the roof. I'm 5' 9".
 
Dang! I LIKE that Griots unit. And its not that pricey considering its versatility...plugs, adjustable height and larger platform than my Werner.
 
And....once that roof is clean i seal it with BFCS. DONE! I have a small step up stool i use to wash the xterra roof.
 
I'm a little bit better off than you at 5' 11", but still it can be difficult to reach spots on the roof on the ever widening trucks of today.

I also usually stand on the inside of the doors, but sometimes if I'm not going to be cleaning the interior this isn't as viable of an option so I had to get creative.

I used to work on gravel trains which constantly required multiple different sized stools and ladders so I needed something that could conform to any ladder/scaffolding I may need or be using. So now I carry six 3' sections of foam pool noodle with me whenever I go onsite to detail, if I end up using someone elses ladder or stool by a vehicle; I simply tape on a couple sections and the worry is gone.

I have a 3 step collapsible stepping stool for in my garage, and it is metal. I am as careful as possible but accidents happen and I wanted to prevent even the remote possibility of hurting someones paint. So I went to the store and picked up some pool noodles, cutting them down one side allowed me to slide most of the noodle over the round tubing that supports the stool and then electrical tape it in position.

This stool is similar to what I use:
Large%201%20HB3-PRO%20Step%20Stool_zps2e6mqd2h.jpg
 
The griots platform looks great! I didn't know they had that.
 
The Costco one kooks very similar, think we may have a winner :) thanks for all the suggestions!
 
pro 4x said:
And....once that roof is clean i seal it with BFCS. DONE! I have a small step up stool i use to wash the xterra roof.
Click to expand...


Sorry, I'm still learning the abbreviations, what is BFCS ((clear coat sealant? My guess, lol)
 
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