Van roof cleaning ideas?

CazPaul

CazPaul

Joined
Jun 30, 2011
Posts
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Location
Barnard Castle, UK
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17,128
MH
Concorde Concerto
Exp
Since 2007
Been up there today washing, polishing, I used an old metal rod with a wash not on one end to clean under the solar panels, then the other end of the rod to apply Polish on a cloth.
Put another sealing tape on front and rear as well.

You can then slide a polishing cloth underneath to buff. Got some plastic restorer and Polish and done one rooflight so far.

Had to tie the ladder off to a tree for safety. It doesn't look too high til you get there.

A day's work and not finished yet, boo.

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Well anybody tried to be clever and feel a complete fool.

I fitted a big main rooflight a few months ago, whilst up there I thought I will protect it so gave a good coat of expensive Star Brite plastic Polish

Thought I would leave it 5 minutes and then when I came to buff it up I was buffing and noticed a piece of loose plastic on the corner, I pulled and this came off.

What a fool.

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Figaro said:
You polish under your solar panel ?
I wish I had your attention to perfection (y)
Looks a great job.
Whats the knobly thing in the foreground on finished roof ?
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I think it's the vent for the oven.

It was filthy under the solar panels so looks good now
 
Made my solar panel so it can be tilted so I can lift it to clean under.
I can just reach to the middle of the roof from a ladder from the side of the van, 2.8m up

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Well done looks good.
As for the film on the roof light :giggle:
It reminded me of the time I sold a lady a pair of number plates that we manufactured (special show plates) she came back for something else about a month later and just mentioned how much she liked her plates but wondered why they had a blue tint on the face of them, popped out to have a look asked who fitted them, she said her garage had done it for her, I bent down and pulled of the protective covering, she was as chuffed as could be :drinks:
If I remember right I think she was blond but not sure about the mechanic :giggle:
 
Get staging and 2 small ladders much safer and sturdy (y)
 

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Couple of attempts at cleaning the roof.
I have now purchased a large set of step ladders, that have a platform at the top. I can then lean over and reach the middle of the van.
You carn’t beat getting up through the sky light though👍


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Just smiffy said:
I just climb out of the skylight...😀

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I suppose it depends on which van you have, I read somewhere that a heavy chap got out through the skylight on his van and part of the corner (cut out for the skylight)collapsed.

I have always been wary ever since, I try not to get too near the edges for too long, although I don't know if the van in question had a problem, damp or weakness etc.
 
CazPaul said:
I suppose it depends on which van you have, I read somewhere that a heavy chap got out through the skylight on his van and part of the corner (cut out for the skylight)collapsed.

I have always been wary ever since, I try not to get too near the edges for too long, although I don't know if the van in question had a problem, damp or weakness etc.
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Yes there is that, I thought about it and I spreed my weight through my big arse..😁

I don’t do it now though on the Hymer although I can get out of a 400x400 skylight I just reach with a window Cleaning stick thing to clean the solar panels...😊

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CazPaul said:
Been up there today washing, polishing, I used an old metal rod with a wash not on one end to clean under the solar panels, then the other end of the rod to apply Polish on a cloth.
Put another sealing tape on front and rear as well.

You can then slide a polishing cloth underneath to buff. Got some plastic restorer and Polish and done one rooflight so far.

Had to tie the ladder off to a tree for safety. It doesn't look too high til you get there.

A day's work and not finished yet, boo.

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Very nice job Paul, but personally I never bother doing under the panels except for the few inches that my hand will fit under..life's to short mate.
 
I get my 80 year old uncle to do it (He likes to be useful) :giggler:

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Ah no not what l want to hear. Spent 3 hours on the roof of my van just washing it, under the solar panel also and l had planned to use Fenwicks Bobby Dazzler as l usually do to give it a polish tomorrow.
MUST it be waxed also :eek: :eek: :eek:God NO :(:(:(
 
I just shuffle around the roof on my backside. Had to last year as it took me a whole day to T cut it because it was covered with spots of tar. Don't ask . . . I have no idea!
 
I used a couple of cable ties to fix a short length I cut off a child’s swimming foam tube. I can then lean the ladder against anything without causing damage. An added benefit is that it is quite grippy so helps with stability.
 

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Had a look at mine yesterday, there are lichens up there as bis as daisies and with tenacious grip. The biggest ones I had to scrape off but the small ones are just as reluctant to come off. Is there a product to remove them or is it just elbow grease needed. Just trying to make the job easier for when I get the wife up there.
 
I was once shamed on a car ferry. Always ignored the roof until on the top deck looking down I could see all the MHs roofs. Most were rented so clean, mine was filthy. I'll be honest it is still dirty :imoutahere:

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mushy said:
Had a look at mine yesterday, there are lichens up there as bis as daisies and with tenacious grip. The biggest ones I had to scrape off but the small ones are just as reluctant to come off. Is there a product to remove them or is it just elbow grease needed. Just trying to make the job easier for when I get the wife up there.
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You could try I think it's called "wet and forget" you can also use on patios to remove moss.
 
Will test some out before letting RIP on the roof.
 
I wasn’t sure whether it was ok to actually climb onto the roof? We have a B 544 Hymer. I weigh about 8 stone 9lbs.
 
I once had to climb onto the roof through the skylight. Shortly after I discovered a small rainwater leak that I got sealed as a stop gap until I could do it properly. Took it into a professional repairer who discovered the roof was cracked on all four corners of the skylight. He had to grind out the cracks and refill to get a good seal. If/when I go onto the roof now it's using a set of collapsible ladders that I carry with me - I found a lightweight set at a show (good enough but for emergency use only).

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