Waxing the top of a Van or SUV = how

**LeMarque** · 08-31-2011, 10:42 AM

I'm currently working on my wife's XC90 (these things are about the size of a school bus!)

I used a small step ladder to reach the roof when washing. But how do you tackle this if some guy, like me, wants to apply or remove wax, etc. with a D/A?

The step ladder feels a bit to unstable to be reaching out at arms length.

**SeaJay's** · 08-31-2011, 10:45 AM

I have a 4 ft ladder that I use for roof tops that I can't reach from the ground. It's a fiberglass one that I picked up at Lowes. It's great for around the house as well.

**JRivers** · 08-31-2011, 11:06 AM

I also use a step ladder. Only work on the portion of the roof directly in front of you. Do not over reach. It's better to climb down, move the ladder and repeat until you cover the entire roof (In my case, I have to do this 3 times per side on my Endeavor

)...better safe than sorry...

**CleanGene** · 08-31-2011, 11:19 AM

I use a Werner 4' platform when working on the top my pickup. Allows me to do the entire top without having to stop an reposition.

**truckbutt** · 08-31-2011, 11:19 AM

There is a product called Durabench 2 in 1 Workbench and Scaffold. Do a Google search. Griots has a similar product. Or you can just keep moving a small ladder around.

**LeMarque** · 08-31-2011, 03:11 PM

Problem I see with a ladder is that your facing the wrong way and need to twist left or right.

I may pick up a 3 or 4 foot step ladder and cover the back side with thick foam; just in case it tips over against the body.

Since I'm considering detailing as a business, I've thought of an actual scaffold.

The XC90 has a factory roof rack which makes it still more difficult to reach over. Also, I'm picturing the day a custom van pulls in with an AC unit on the roof ...

**Jimmie** · 08-31-2011, 05:58 PM

These will go on sale quite often:
Werner Ladder - Work Platform
Or, buy a scaffolding board to span two ladders. Not expensive if you have the ladders.

**mdb917** · 08-31-2011, 07:03 PM

With ladders like the "Little Giant" (several vendors make similar products now) they are designed to be split into two seperate "A" ladders and you can span the distance between the 2 "A" ladders with a platform made from lumber or purchase metal ones.