Silly question- the roof?
- Thread starter ToddA
- Start date
PA DETAILER
Well-known member
- Mar 5, 2011
- 5,994
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Bruno Soares
New member
- Mar 30, 2017
- 2,482
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The roof is one of the areas that get the most damage from mother nature because it's flat. You'll always find water spots there, potentially UV rays damage, bird poo etching, etc. If you don't detail the roof, it will be trashed beyond detailing in just a few years. Just because one can't easily see it, doesn't mean one should not care about it.
I guess I never considered NOT doing the roof.
I've got a conversion van coming in mid May, and need to remember to ask the owner if I can stand on the roof. If not, I may not be able to do the center of the roof, but I will tell him about it up front. But beyond that, I always do the roof, and my test spots are on the roof.
I've got a conversion van coming in mid May, and need to remember to ask the owner if I can stand on the roof. If not, I may not be able to do the center of the roof, but I will tell him about it up front. But beyond that, I always do the roof, and my test spots are on the roof.
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
- 51,004
- 6
This,
Here's how I work taller vehicles. From this article,
Supa BEAST backing plate swap
And the above article evolved from this job.
If you look carefully under the table, there's the table legs and table supports and where they meet there's a clip that slides into place to prevent the legs from folding under.
I wrap TAPE around the clip so it cannot accidentally slide away from the locked position so the table will not collapse.
I don't recommend others to do this but I don't miss the roof.
Also notice how I taped microfiber towels on the edge of the table so I can push it right up to the vehicle.
Not a silly question at all!
This is a 'pet peeve' of mine and yes the roof of taller vehicles is often ignored by the owners (some of my family members included). Ask around to anyone that washes their trucks or vans and everything above the head is often ignored in a routine wash.
Let me show a couple of reasons why all painted surfaces need TLC and should not be neglected.
This truck spent all of it's life outside and was neglected.
View attachment 69434
Then often a problem is wind and grit slowly wearing away on the top of the truck, see this often as clear coat failure first. Most owners will deal with earlier but not this guy.
View attachment 69435
So after spending time in body shop to totally take it down to bare metal and repaint those sections, you have it back to near new.
View attachment 69436
So it is much more economic sense to protect it early and on a regular basis, even if that requires buying a couple of ladders. In fact I remember a photo shoot by Mike Phillips on a taller Suburban he did recently. He used a plastic folding table (6-foot type) and placed towels at the edges to protect the car from bumps. The proceeded to polish out the top of that monster panel. (Note: Mike posted his while I was typing this LOL)
Now I am inclined to sometime not wash mine each week or every wash but I do look and clean and protect it regularly.
Disclaimer: I was not the driver of this truck in the photos. Gotta keep it real however and I do not think they have learned the lesson yet, ugh.
This is a 'pet peeve' of mine and yes the roof of taller vehicles is often ignored by the owners (some of my family members included). Ask around to anyone that washes their trucks or vans and everything above the head is often ignored in a routine wash.
Let me show a couple of reasons why all painted surfaces need TLC and should not be neglected.
This truck spent all of it's life outside and was neglected.
View attachment 69434
Then often a problem is wind and grit slowly wearing away on the top of the truck, see this often as clear coat failure first. Most owners will deal with earlier but not this guy.
View attachment 69435
So after spending time in body shop to totally take it down to bare metal and repaint those sections, you have it back to near new.
View attachment 69436
So it is much more economic sense to protect it early and on a regular basis, even if that requires buying a couple of ladders. In fact I remember a photo shoot by Mike Phillips on a taller Suburban he did recently. He used a plastic folding table (6-foot type) and placed towels at the edges to protect the car from bumps. The proceeded to polish out the top of that monster panel. (Note: Mike posted his while I was typing this LOL)
Now I am inclined to sometime not wash mine each week or every wash but I do look and clean and protect it regularly.
Disclaimer: I was not the driver of this truck in the photos. Gotta keep it real however and I do not think they have learned the lesson yet, ugh.
FUNX650
New member
- Dec 1, 2010
- 21,057
- 1
Sounds like you’d be interested in
having a Mini-Scaffolding unit.
Here’s one example from HD that’s
only 4ft. X 4ft. X 2ft. It’s lightweight,
has a built-in shelf, nice set of locking
wheels, and folds up for storage.
Only ~$90, or so.
Looking back:
This is the size I should of bought. {#!&*%!}
Bob
having a Mini-Scaffolding unit.
Here’s one example from HD that’s
only 4ft. X 4ft. X 2ft. It’s lightweight,
has a built-in shelf, nice set of locking
wheels, and folds up for storage.
Only ~$90, or so.
Looking back:
This is the size I should of bought. {#!&*%!}
Bob
Sharply Dressed
Member
- Sep 24, 2014
- 414
- 0
Even though challenging, always. As stated before, that’s what a pro would do. If I didn’t do the roof, I’d know even though the client might not as they might be accustomed to that level of work. Most times, a platform works. I’ve had to use a ladder to climb up onto the roof, use knee pads and protect the top. And I factor that into pricing.
Dr Oldz
New member
- Aug 31, 2010
- 4,462
- 0
Sounds like you’d be interested in
having a Mini-Scaffolding unit.
Here’s one example from HD that’s
only 4ft. X 4ft. X 2ft. It’s lightweight,
has a built-in shelf, nice set of locking
wheels, and folds up for storage.
Only ~$90, or so.
Looking back:
This is the size I should of bought. {#!&*%!}
Bob
That’s actually a really good idea!
You can disassemble it and easily store it neatly out of the way also.
PaulMys
Active member
- Jan 14, 2014
- 10,772
- 1
Having a regular cab truck, this is nice & simple for me.
I have a padded 2X10 that I lay across the bed rails up against the back of the cab.
This allows me to reach the entire roof for polishing/waxing.
As for washing, I will just stand up on the front of the bed lip with bare feet to hit the roof.
I have a padded 2X10 that I lay across the bed rails up against the back of the cab.
This allows me to reach the entire roof for polishing/waxing.
As for washing, I will just stand up on the front of the bed lip with bare feet to hit the roof.
I've seen a poster on here detailing a Mercedes sprinter van and he did a half and half shot which shows how great it comes out. I always do the roof on my cars and any family members car that drops by since I dont run a business.
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