Big trucks and SUVs

[SON1C]

Mobile Detailers or anyone else, how do you reach the top? Just bring a small ladder?

[Tundra_10]

I have a werner platform for my truck... any bigger I would need to buy scaffold, which sometimes I still contemplate because the platform is not terribly stable when really trying to go for a long reach. I have also contemplated a platform from griots but am curious to how it works at its higher setting as a platform to stand on.

[Mike Phillips]

Check this thread out...


Step Stools, Platforms or Scaffolding to reach taller vehicles (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/auto-detailing-101/44855-step-stool-platform-scaffolding-reach-taller-vehicles.html)



We use the Werner platforms in the studio...


1954 Ford F-100 - Extreme Makeover - Process and products used (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/pictures-autogeek-s-car-week/42270-1954-ford-f-100-extreme-makeover-process-products-used.html)

Robert using the PC and Glenn using the Meguiar's G110v2
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/1290/54Ford83.jpg


:xyxthumbs:

[SON1C]

bump, i guess the werner will be good for 98% of vehicles?

[Bates Detailing]

I have a 6 ft ladder but honestly don't feel like busting it out - so I will just hold onto the top rail and step in the jam or floor board and polish one handed. This can be exhausting I think, but I am used to it I guess. Sometimes I will sit on the rails on top of the vehicle - only if I feel comfortable doing so (depends on the customer). Worst comes to worse - bust the ladder out (being mobile, always lay it down if you leave the ladder, the wind can blow it onto the vehicle and damage it). Hope this helps.

[snellvilleauto]

I have 2 of those but i m only 5'5 so it's still a little low. I have to open the doors and stand on the seat

[davidc11291]

I will just hold onto the top rail and step in the jam or floor board and polish one handed.


I do this, or stand on top of a 5 gallon bucket. Lay a towel underneath the bucket, so you don't get dirt and tiny rocks imbedded in the pastic rim. They'll end up in your wash mitt and mar the paint.

[crash93ssei]

I do this, or stand on top of a 5 gallon bucket. Lay a towel underneath the bucket, so you don't get dirt and tiny rocks imbedded in the pastic rim. They'll end up in your wash mitt and mar the paint.


A 5 gallon bucket isn't a very safe thing to stand on as they are usually flimsy and if they are ever left in the sun or are older they get very brittle and can crack or just shatter without warning. Best to use a normal stool or platform designed to hold the weight and be safe / sturdy.

[davidc11291]

Very true. A platform is one of those things that I'm always telling myself I need to get around to buying.

[SON1C]

best place to get the werner one then i guess? lowes/HD

[david79z28]

best place to get the werner one then i guess? lowes/HD

I bought mine at Lowes.

[vet]

I got mine from a chain farm supply / hardware store. I use it a lot.

[TheCougarGuy]

I also use the Werner step but sometimes I need something taller. I use this Little Giant step ladder. It has come in handy on a few F-550's I've done.

http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Little_Giant.jpg (http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/45745)
http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/45745][img]http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Little_Giant.jpg

http://[url=http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/45745][img]http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/data/500/Little_Giant.jpg

[tomsteve]

i've been thinkin about this and my dream garage. painted an 86 blazer last summer and the man keeps the paint care in my hands. i think in my dream shop i'd have a drive on lift that could lower into a pit and also raise up above. it sure would make it nice for getting the roofs and hoods of bigger vehicles for both detailing and painting. of course, i'd design a drop in catwalk to go in the front and back of the vehicles too. just a dream right now.

[Mobile detail]

To everyone who steps on the door frame and "holds on" and polishes with one hand. Yes, I am very guilty of doing this until recently. I got done washing, the ground was KINDA wet but not really. I climbed up on an F-150 to polish the roof. Mind you the whole truck was totally dry, I proceeded to start to polish when all of a sudden my foot slipped and I feel down and landed on my feet. Lets just say it could have gone real bad real quick. It was one of those sphincter clenching moments. I have NO IDEA how I didn't break my ankle. If I had, I would have been screwed and tattooed. Not being able to work because I was trying to cut corners and not grab my ladder/stool/platform was pure stupidity on my part. Yes, I've done the flip the 5 gal bucket trick, but in all honesty, thats not safe either.

Unless you have workers comp/AFLAC and wanna deal with that whole nightmare, (and I'm sure most people don't have it or wanna go through it) getting hurt kills your income and your business. I'm using a ladder or whatever safely gets me where I need to be from now on.