Cleaning the motorhome and the dreaded Roof!! (The easy way)

[barryd]

Ok I know its been done to death and I can easily google ideas or search the forum but what I need to know is the easiest way to go about it all. My Arthritis mainly in my knees but also the facet joints in my back I need to be mindful off.

I am not sure if you can walk or crawl about on the roof of our new to us van like the old one. Probably but it has no rear ladder either so I reckon its a case of assuming neither of us can go up there. All I have so far is a step ladder.

On the old van I tried patio magic on the roof which is like wet and forget but it never budged anything. It wasnt a smooth surface like this one so maybe its one possibility to try but I am just looking for ideas for the easiest way and quickest way to clean the entire van and the roof without hopefully going on the roof. It doesn't have to be showroom clean just clean.

I wont be doing it for a while yet but just getting ideas for the best way and what materials, brushes, cleaners etc I would need.

 

[marchie]

Ok I know its been done to death and I can easily google ideas or search the forum but what I need to know is the easiest way to go about it all. My Arthritis mainly in my knees but also the facet joints in my back I need to be mindful off.

I am not sure if you can walk or crawl about on the roof of our new to us van like the old one. Probably but it has no rear ladder either so I reckon its a case of assuming neither of us can go up there. All I have so far is a step ladder.

On the old van I tried patio magic on the roof which is like wet and forget but it never budged anything. It wasnt a smooth surface like this one so maybe its one possibility to try but I am just looking for ideas for the easiest way and quickest way to clean the entire van and the roof without hopefully going on the roof. It doesn't have to be showroom clean just clean.

I wont be doing it for a while yet but just getting ideas for the best way and what materials, brushes, cleaners etc I would need.

Henchman Tripod Ladder with Leifheitt extending pole window cleaning fibre cloth + squeegee. Safe, 'leanable' platform to work from, with support at hip level, enables you to use both hands to control the cleaning head and to exert some pressure to remove soot stains etc

Steve

 

[caledonia]

Pay someone. That’s the easiest, safest.

 

[barryd]

Pay someone. That’s the easiest, safest.

Yep I know but its finding someone. Last year I couldnt get anyone for love or money here. There are some Albanians in Barnard Castle that do a great drive through car wash. I might speak to them but the trouble is I dont want a pressure washer anywhere near it. Last time we got someone over to do the roof and the whole van a few years back we left them to it for three hours. Two weeks later on a trip I had a bad roof leak where the awning is. Could be coincidental but I doubt it.

 

[mistericeman]

Jenny chem caravan and motorhome cleaner ....

Sprayed on in a snowfoam format ...

Then go have a brew ...

Agitate with soft extendable brush ...

Then pressure wash off .
Works a treat AND slows down the formation on new green slime

 

[trevskoda]

Boy scouts are best for looking at things to be sorted.

 

[caledonia]

Jenny chem caravan and motorhome cleaner ....

Sprayed on in a snowfoam format ...

Then go have a brew ...

Agitate with soft extendable brush ...

Then pressure wash off .
Works a treat AND slows down the formation on new green slime

Jenny Chem Traffic Film Remover is good stuff. Didn’t know they done motorhome cleaner.

 

[mistericeman]

Jenny Chem Traffic Film Remover is good stuff. Didn’t know they done motorhome cleaner.

Caravan Cleaner | JENNYCHEM

www.jennychem.com

 

[barryd]

Thanks for the suggestions. Will maybe try the JennyChem stuff but why on earth did they make it poo brown?

Ill have to see if I can borrow my neighbours pressure washer to apply it if it has a snow foam attachment thing. Dont fancy squirting the entire van with a spray bottle.

 

[jagmanx]

Find a "POLISH car cleaning team" they will bring the shine back !

 

[SteveL]

Ok I know its been done to death and I can easily google ideas or search the forum but what I need to know is the easiest way to go about it all. My Arthritis mainly in my knees but also the facet joints in my back I need to be mindful off.

I am not sure if you can walk or crawl about on the roof of our new to us van like the old one. Probably but it has no rear ladder either so I reckon its a case of assuming neither of us can go up there. All I have so far is a step ladder.

On the old van I tried patio magic on the roof which is like wet and forget but it never budged anything. It wasnt a smooth surface like this one so maybe its one possibility to try but I am just looking for ideas for the easiest way and quickest way to clean the entire van and the roof without hopefully going on the roof. It doesn't have to be showroom clean just clean.

I wont be doing it for a while yet but just getting ideas for the best way and what materials, brushes, cleaners etc I would need.

Try - Rhino Goo I find it’s a excellent all rounder - Amazon - other retailers are available

 

[runnach]

Barry, I put MH rear tyres on ramps, then assemble my scaffold at rear of MH, then start cleaning at highest point with pressure washer. Then wash using car wash liquid and car wash brush.

Having MH on ramps endure no water pools on the roof and all the crap drains to the front. Once roof is clean, I carry on cleaning the rest of the MH.

 

[barryd]

Barry, I put MH rear tyres on ramps, then assemble my scaffold at rear of MH, then start cleaning at highest point with pressure washer. Then wash using car wash liquid and car wash brush.

Having MH on ramps endure no water pools on the roof and all the crap drains to the front. Once roof is clean, I carry on cleaning the rest of the MH.

The road at the front of our house slopes downwards Bill but this does mean the step ladder is a bit precarious.

 

[exwindsurfer]

I wouldn't go near my van with a pressure wash way to aggressive .

 

[barryd]

I wouldn't go near my van with a pressure wash way to aggressive .

I agree as a pressure washer but cant they be used for applying / spraying the snow foam cleaner?

 

[runnach]

I wouldn't go near my van with a pressure wash way to aggressive .

I can adjust the pressure Jeff, I don't go at it full pelt, just enough to move the green stuff.

Barry, I have an attachment for applying eg; car wash fluid.

 

[marchie]

The road at the front of our house slopes downwards Bill but this does mean the step ladder is a bit precarious.

That's where the Henchman Ladder is invaluable! The 3 legs are all adjustable (they were designed originally for tree pruning in a sloping garden) independently, and have huge rubber feet for sloping drives, paths etc to remain stable along or across the gradient

Steve

 

[Robmac]

Cover the roof in Solar Panels Barry. You only have to give them a wipe.

 

[barryd]

That's where the Henchman Ladder is invaluable! The 3 legs are all adjustable (they were designed originally for tree pruning in a sloping garden) independently, and have huge rubber feet for sloping drives, paths etc to remain stable along or across the gradient

Steve

I think they are about £300 though. Add in a pressure washer (no idea of cost) say around £200, cleaning stuff £100. Thats a lot of Albanian van washes.

 

[marchie]

I think they are about £300 though. Add in a pressure washer (no idea of cost) say around £200, cleaning stuff £100. Thats a lot of Albanian van washes.

But the ladder will last a lot longer than 1season! I bought a Halfords Own Brand Pressure Washer around 2011 or 2012 for just shy of £35 and gave it dog's abuse. I ran it from 2 x 120 litre water butts in France for car washing and it was still going strong when we sold the French hovel in September 2024 ...

Steve