Reaching the high parts

S

sgtmattie

New member
At 5'11" I cannot reach the top of my wife's Pilot, or my Dodge PU. About the only thing I reach 1/2 of the top is my daughter's car or my Miata.



Just wondering what you other detailers use to be able to reach the tops of your cars.........Ya, I know a ladder, But what kind etc.



I have taken two milk cases and bolted them together with thread-all.. It provides the right height, is easy to kick around the car as I move from section to section and is sturdy and lightweight.



Climbing on top of it (21") gets to be a chore, especially on the third or fourth car of the day.



Saw a utility step stool at Walmart the other night but was concerned about the metal handle part getting in the was or worse yet, scratching, a vehicle.



Any ideas?
 
To reach the top of my Jimmy I use a utility step ladder, it only has like two steps on it. Its an old aluminum one that my father has had for the longest time. I just am very careful with where I put it so i dont scuff the paint.
 
I have an Expedition and I use an old 4 ft step ladder that I have padded with pieces of an old blanket and duct tape as back-up protection in case I goof.



How about a plastic step-stool, that has an intermediate step so you don't have to climb the full height at one time? This one is at Home Depot



123021_4.jpg




http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDU...mc=1hd.com2msn-_-product_feed-_-D22X-_-123021
 
I've got assist steps (running boards) on my truck -- I just stand on that and can reach about half of the roof from each side :cool:
 
5'11"???? You're tall man!!! I'm 5'8" with a good pair of boots on!! :rolleyes:



I keep a collapsible (folds out into an "A" shape) 5' ladder in the bed of my truck...I would be screwed without it.
 
I use the Griot's 'Plateau Platform'2-steps, 20" high x 40" long and will support 325 lbs (expensive at $100, but that's Groit's)

JonM
 
Depending on what kind of detailing im doing on SUV's. I usually have the vehichle parked on a flat surface and almost 90% of the SUV"s i have done have those roof racks. I grab the top part of the roof rack and CAREFULLY hoist myself up standing on the tires. Probably not the safest to do, but I havent had any injuries and harm done to the car yet. I will probably get a 2-step ladder and do as mentioned above by wrapping towels and what not to prevent and damage done to the vehichle when using the ladder.
 
I use work platforms somewhat similar to the ones Rollman and TOGWT mentioned, but a bit longer/wider and fitted with a non-slip, wooden surface. My older one is a (now-discontinuted) Werner, and the newer one is a Bauer 20900 which I *believe* I bought from the ToolCrib. I put one on each side of the minivan- no more hassles doing the roof. I forget what they cost, and they're not cheap, but they *are* safe and convenient.



Rollman- I'd stick some non-slip material on the top of yours; I'd sure hate for you to take a tumble. Water, car wash solution- slippery stuff ;)
 
Rollman said:
This is what I use . Home Depot has them $29.99





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I like the look of that too Rollman. How large is that? I'm using a 3 step fold up at the moment But I'd like something larger to stand on.
 
I use the same thing as Rollman, EXCEPT, it has an EXTRA step. I got it at some Kitchen store. I can't remember the store, but the ladder is made by Polder. Put Polder in teh search engine and you will find it. I find the extra step makes it much better/easier than just one step up. I put padding on the sides, and nonslip tape on the metal and it works like a champ.
 
Had to go to the "city" as it were today and went to Lowe's and found the same thing for $!.00 less.



Brought it home and am anxious for the snow to melt so I can use it to detail all the cars again. One of the big advantages I see over my milk crates is that I could prolly put this along side of the car and work from front to back of the top withOUT having to move it, except to the other side..



Rollman,,, Thanks very much for the suggestion



Sarge
 
I have a 4' aluminum step ladder. Believe me, you need a 4' ladder to reach the center of the roofs of Excursions and H2s.
 
TDMAN said:
I use the same thing as Rollman, EXCEPT, it has an EXTRA step...
Click to expand...



I've seen the platform Rollman uses at Home Depot, but thought it was too low (about 16" high) for reaching the top of the Expedition.



The one TDMAN uses may just work for me. I found it on QVC.com and it is 28" high. The price is a little steep, $67.75 plus s&h, I'll have to check around to see if it is availible cheaper.



v108678.001
 
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