Keeping roof clean with roof rack

[outlaws]

For those of you that have roof racks how do you guys keep your roof clean? What's the trick? It's hard to put a hand underneath it to wipe it when just spraying it with water won't move the dirt off.

 

[rochmpr]

Long stick / pole
Rag
Zip-ties

 

[T4RUNNER02]

power washer

power washer.

 

[1engineer]

Ha. I don't even wash my roof without a rack. I do spray it off every now and then.

 

[Hoop]

expanding on this a bit, if you have an aftermarket rack like a Gobi or Baja, do you use drive-thru washes? I've noticed that a lot of the gas stations around here are using spinning sponges again. anyone have an issue with these?

 

[guitarsail]

expanding on this a bit, if you have an aftermarket rack like a Gobi or Baja, do you use drive-thru washes? I've noticed that a lot of the gas stations around here are using spinning sponges again. anyone have an issue with these?

Only if you want an expedited removal of the rack...

Thread a few months back from a guy who rolled his through the automated wash. Did quite a bit of damage, couple thousand $$ worth. Bent rack, damaged sunroof, water damage inside. good times.

 

[Antman]

expanding on this a bit, if you have an aftermarket rack like a Gobi or Baja, do you use drive-thru washes? I've noticed that a lot of the gas stations around here are using spinning sponges again. anyone have an issue with these?

Only if you want an expedited removal of the rack...

Thread a few months back from a guy who rolled his through the automated wash. Did quite a bit of damage, couple thousand $$ worth. Bent rack, damaged sunroof, water damage inside. good times.

Mine has been through the "spinning sponge" car wash about 50 times.

Doesn't phase it at all.

 

[weeeee]

Wrapped my entire roof with automotive vinyl. If I'm lazy I just rinse it off but occasionally I'll stick a swiffer under it and clean underneath. If I reallllyyy want to I can throw a wash mitt over the swiffer wand and use that to clean.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

expanding on this a bit, if you have an aftermarket rack like a Gobi or Baja, do you use drive-thru washes? I've noticed that a lot of the gas stations around here are using spinning sponges again. anyone have an issue with these?

If you love a ruined finish with tons of swirl marks, thats the easy way to accomplish it. Never, ever use anything but hand wash at home OR touchless clean it yourself method.

But then again, I am a perfectionist with Attitude Black paint which does not hide abuse well. At all.

 

[flyrv9]

It's not that hard. You just push a soapy sponge around and under the rails. Works good.

 

[guitarsail]

Mine has been through the "spinning sponge" car wash about 50 times.

Doesn't phase it at all.

Then theres this guy, haha.

 

[Antman]

Then theres this guy, haha.

The honeymoon phase is over with my 4Runner- plus I used to obsess over every little scratch and ding. What a waste of time.

Now, I see one of the many long scratches down the side, the absolutely horrible gouges under the corners of my bumpers and the dents in my skid plates and it makes me smile. Really, it does. Fun times remembered.

The carwash aint hurtin' nuthin' on my 4Runner.

...And the roof? Can't see it waaaay up there. It's good!

 

[Okki]

And there is always the stiffer mop mod. Details in my build thread below. Just make sure you get your own box of refill mops. Otherwise the wife gets cranky.
Okki

 

[00Sebby]

Simple. Stand on the sliders, hold onto the rack, and wash the roof just like every other part of the 4R.

 

[Atlantan]

Would be nice if Gobi/other vendors made removable sectionals like the removable sunroof sectional to clean the roof. I may ask Gobi if that is possible, I am sure it would be at... additional cost. Would save weight for everyday driving.

 

[wfo9]

These threads crack me up.

Are you guys serious?

I actually buff my paint ever now and then to get the trail pinstripes off.. but the roof is something I don't care about.. Nobody ever sees it...

 

[richard2909]

Small step ladder is what I use. Reach over

 

[Hoop]

Only if you want an expedited removal of the rack...

Thread a few months back from a guy who rolled his through the automated wash. Did quite a bit of damage, couple thousand $$ worth. Bent rack, damaged sunroof, water damage inside. good times.

I saw that thread, and that's why I was asking about it again. Just wondering what other's experiences have been. I live in the land of winter road salt and wash my vehicle several times a month, but I haven't found a good technique for hand washing when it's 10 degrees (Fahrenheit) outside.

Mine has been through the "spinning sponge" car wash about 50 times.

Doesn't phase it at all.

Thanks.

 

[raycie]

I actually started a thread a while ago with the same questions. I did end up buying one of those rectangle shaped "sifter" type pole with attached head. Had a micro-fiber head attached. Easy-peasy. The only part I actually dry is the sunroof.. everything else, just air dry.


Something just like this.. Both sides are covered rather than the hook and loop type that only has one.. http://www.amazon.com/O-Cedar-Dual-Action-Microfiber-Surface/dp/B008HVHJDA?SubscriptionId=AKIAJM4NKIQGABP2PIRA&linkCode=xm2&camp=2025&creative=165953&creativeASIN=B008HVHJDA&tag=thesweethome-20&ascsubtag=SH11257

 

[Blitzkrieg]

I've never tried to clean my roof with the roof rack. Doesn't that scratch the hell out of things not to mention having to detach and reattach the rack every time?

-- insert toothy grin here --