Washing and drying under a Frontrunner/Baja/Etc.

[raycie]

Just been thinking about it a bit lately.

For those of you who have a roof rack (frontrunner, baja,etc) on the runner, how are you washing the roof?

By hand and sticking it between each support, or have you found a low profile wash brush with stick that you are using?

I have one of those car wash poles with brush attachment, but it's too high to fit between the roof and the rack.

Currently I wash and dry by hand, but there has to be some contraption to make it faster...

EDIT: Maybe something like this... http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CM5863O/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687622&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B007X6OEYW&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=05CZR5HDH6G16HCTMM69

 

[1engineer]

When I have had racks in the past I never washed under them. Longest was seven years. Guess what... nobody ever sees it and the paint didn't peel off from being dirty either. washing under a rack is like washing the inside of your wheels. Seriously, you can never wash or was a modern vehicle for years and it will not damage the paint unless it gets dirty with some type of caustic agent, like certain bird droppings or certain tree saps. Then you have to suck it up and wash it.

 

[ElvisThePelvis]

Look at the swiffer. It has a flexible rotating head that fits under many low profile racks. I used one between my truck bed and cab for an old ford.

 

[weeeee]

I posted this in the Bajarack thread.

I have a swiffer and a wash mitt. I soak the wash mitt in the bucket and stick it over the swiffer to get under the rack. I have about 1-2 inches to spare still when washing.

For added protection you can also vinyl the top of your roof which will be an extra barrier from that nasty stuff in between washes.

Hope that helped.

 

[MyHigh]

I've never used the stuff but what about using plastidip on the roof before you install the rack?

 

[chmura]

Who cares whats under there you cant see the roof anyway with the roof rack.

I just hose it off as much as I can and call it good. Once you remove the rack or sell the vehicle just clay bar, wash, and wax the roof and it will be back to original anyways.

I just bought a new rack for my 4runner and will be selling my Gobi. I have not washed the roof in 3 years, just rinsed. Once I remove the Gobi and put the K9 rack on I will wash the roof with clay bar and wax..

 

[raycie]

When I have had racks in the past I never washed under them. Longest was seven years. Guess what... nobody ever sees it and the paint didn't peel off from being dirty either. washing under a rack is like washing the inside of your wheels. Seriously, you can never wash or was a modern vehicle for years and it will not damage the paint unless it gets dirty with some type of caustic agent, like certain bird droppings or certain tree saps. Then you have to suck it up and wash it.

Yea.... When I get lazy, I just hose it down.. I would like to at least wash it, screw the drying it down.. Just take it for a 40mph drive around the block and call it good for the roof.. Do sometimes have the bird droppings, but in hawaii and going to the beach often enough, I've seen salt water do some damage to paint.

I posted this in the Bajarack thread.

I have a swiffer and a wash mitt. I soak the wash mitt in the bucket and stick it over the swiffer to get under the rack. I have about 1-2 inches to spare still when washing.

For added protection you can also vinyl the top of your roof which will be an extra barrier from that nasty stuff in between washes.

Hope that helped.

Yea, I was thinking of one of those "dusting" types of heads. Also thought about throwing down a vinyl wrap on my roof, and forgetting about it.. Well see...

Thanks..

 

[NuclearN8]

If I had a full length roof rack, before installing it, I would clay and put down two coats of klasse. Call it good.

After washing/rinsing the best way to dry any vehicle is with an electric leaf blower (no swirl marks, no possible exhaust gas/ oil blow-by from a gas unit). This is assuming your vehicle is well protected with sealant and/or a good wax (so the water beads up to begin with and will easily flow off)