Just been out and spruced up the van, my question is how do other good folk manage to keep their front roof/sky light sparkly clean? I have an extendable brush, ladder, water etc but I can never get it spotless and sparkling like the rest of the windows.
Im guessing its the actual elbow grease thats missing, if you are just using a long brush. Can you fully open it, stand on a buffet inside and clean it by hand through the hole?
If it's the square 40 x 40 skylight you are referring to then I climb on the caravan roof and undo the 4 fixing screws, remove the outer and inner sections then wash them in a large tub of warm water and washing powder. Work it in with a soft paintbrush and the dirt instantly washes away then just rinse with clear water and dry before re-installing. They come that clean that they look like brand new.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 14/8/2017
If it's the square 40 x 40 skylight you are referring to then I climb on the caravan roof and undo the 4 fixing screws, remove the outer and inner sections then wash them in a large tub of warm water and washing powder. Work it in with a soft paintbrush and the dirt instantly washes away then just rinse with clear water and dry before re-installing. They come that clean that they look like brand new.
Climbing on the roof and taking it to bits seems a recipe for disaster to me. Especially for just a cleaning job. And particularly when you think theres only a decent rain shower between being 'spotless' and mucky again.
Quote: Originally posted by Mike3003 on 15/8/2017
Just a thought, but is it not a good idea to use a brush. I am thinking scratches. 👍😀
I did say a SOFT paintbrush, the sort that you use for painting and decorating. If you use a stiff brush then of course you are going to scratch the surface but because the dirt lifts instantly there no need to use anything abrasive.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 14/8/2017
If it's the square 40 x 40 skylight you are referring to then I climb on the caravan roof and undo the 4 fixing screws, remove the outer and inner sections then wash them in a large tub of warm water and washing powder. Work it in with a soft paintbrush and the dirt instantly washes away then just rinse with clear water and dry before re-installing. They come that clean that they look like brand new.
Climbing on the roof and taking it to bits seems a recipe for disaster to me. Especially for just a cleaning job. And particularly when you think theres only a decent rain shower between being 'spotless' and mucky again.
I'm not talking about cleaning on a regular basis, I'm referring to dirty filth that builds up over the years that's not only an eyesore to the human eye but also blocks out the natural daylight. When we collected our (new to us) 12 year old caravan last year from the dealer, the outside and interior were perfectly clean but you could tell that the skylights had never been cleaned since new and were absolutely filthy. Of course the dealer won't go to that extreme so it's up to the new owners to clean them (if they want). Once the 3 skylights were cleaned it made a huge difference and won't ever want cleaning for about another 10 years so my post to the OP was directed mainly of removing built up grime rather than general cosmetic cleaning.
I sprayed the large Heki on ours with the caravan cleaner, left it for a while then used a sponge tied to a stick to go over it. That got most of the dirt off and then rinsed it with the sponge a couple of times and finally gave it a good coat of spray car polish, wiped with a duster tied to the stick.
Quote: Originally posted by tango55 on 14/8/2017
If it's the square 40 x 40 skylight you are referring to then I climb on the caravan roof and undo the 4 fixing screws, remove the outer and inner sections then wash them in a large tub of warm water and washing powder. Work it in with a soft paintbrush and the dirt instantly washes away then just rinse with clear water and dry before re-installing. They come that clean that they look like brand new.
Climbing on the roof and taking it to bits seems a recipe for disaster to me. Especially for just a cleaning job. And particularly when you think theres only a decent rain shower between being 'spotless' and mucky again.
I'm not talking about cleaning on a regular basis, I'm referring to dirty filth that builds up over the years that's not only an eyesore to the human eye but also blocks out the natural daylight. When we collected our (new to us) 12 year old caravan last year from the dealer, the outside and interior were perfectly clean but you could tell that the skylights had never been cleaned since new and were absolutely filthy. Of course the dealer won't go to that extreme so it's up to the new owners to clean them (if they want). Once the 3 skylights were cleaned it made a huge difference and won't ever want cleaning for about another 10 years so my post to the OP was directed mainly of removing built up grime rather than general cosmetic cleaning.
Point taken. I did actually see what was essentially a 'clean' van in the dealers the other day with a green skylight, which had patently never ever been cleaned by anyone.
But, as said, this one, along with my own, could be done from inside stood on a buffet. With just the weight of a bucket of water on the roof.
I've got those Heki roof lights and they are more hassle than enough.
They are made in two piece and have an air gap in between the two piece of hard plastic, can I heck as like get them apart to clean in between. All I see is a build up of thick dust and muck.
I've managed to take them down by unscrewing them from inside the van, but then quickly realise you need some sort of special screwdriver (really thin one with a torx head) to get them apart.
hi I have an extendable window cleaning pole with an angled head (9.99 the range)I then tape a thick micro fibre cloth to the supplied pad and it reaches and bends to the roof and I can stand on the ground no need for step ladders. pole then just stores under bed when finished gets the thick off with soapy water.
Quote: Originally posted by shaggy2000 on 15/8/2017
I've got those Heki roof lights and they are more hassle than enough.
They are made in two piece and have an air gap in between the two piece of hard plastic, can I heck as like get them apart to clean in between. All I see is a build up of thick dust and muck.
I've managed to take them down by unscrewing them from inside the van, but then quickly realise you need some sort of special screwdriver (really thin one with a torx head) to get them apart.
I've got a PDF instruction sheet from Swift for this bugger, give me your email if you want me to send it to you.
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Topic: Cleaning sky lights
