Roof cleaned with patio washer

[petach]

When I picked up my car last month, the canvas roof was pretty dirty. It had marks from a previous attempt to clean it such as sponge marks and green algae.

I tried a regular roof cleaner, and despite the jars of elbow grease I didn't make much impact.

I had a sudden idea whilst I was cleaning the winter detritus from my patio with the Karcher. I was using the round patio cleaner which spins 2 nozzles in a round plastic housing. It was a risk but I wondered what would happen if I used it on the roof.

It worked a treat, the roof is now pretty immaculate. Al green algae gone and what looked like lichen spots also gone. The filth that came out of the roof was unbelievable. Took all of a couple of minutes. Very pleased and no leakage into the car at all.

 

[derin100]

Great tip!

Did you use it with just water or any other cleaner along with the patio brush?

 

[petach]

Great tip!

Did you use it with just water or any other cleaner along with the patio brush?

Just plain old water.

 

[mj2k]

Christ on a bike, you're brave!!

 

[enzed4]

I have one of those (Karcher patio cleaner attachment), and I'd be terrified of putting that whirling dervish anywhere near the soft top - but desperate times call for desperate measures, so good on you for giving it a go and getting a positive result.

 

[bz4kev]

:!: wtf I would not try this cleaned my patio umbrella last year with my karcher ripped a big ass section out also clean my decking with that attachment and if left in one spot too long starts to tear the wood god knows what it would do to the SOFT TOP would love to see someone record this being done before I even contemplated this myself

 

[petach]

One thing I did ensure was to not let it remain in one spot. It was continually on the move back and forth in a straight line. Make sure you are on a step ladder or chair to make sure you can hold the thing upright. Took about a minute for the whole roof.

Caveat: It worked for me, don't know if it would work for everyone.

Obviously if you worry, then don't do it. Maybe I don't have the imagination to see possible consequences. But throughout my life I have wee'd in the face of consequences.

 

[petach]

:!: wtf I would not try this cleaned my patio umbrella last year with my karcher ripped a big ass section out also clean my decking with that attachment and if left in one spot too long starts to tear the wood god knows what it would do to the SOFT TOP would love to see someone record this being done before I even contemplated this myself

lawkes a lummy....would never have tried it on a patio umbrella, much too thin a material. I did practise mine first on my wife as she is thick skinned

 

[toolmanchris]

[/quote] lawkes a lummy....would never have tried it on a patio umbrella, much too thin a material. I did practise mine first on my wife as she is thick skinned
[/quote]

 

[toolmanchris]

I've been reading up on cleaning the roof (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=136&t=1215129&i=20) as mine has some circular brown marks on it that look like lichen. Tried the Autoglym cleaner and a nail brush but cant shift them. Found that someone has found this stuff to work so I will give it a go - http://www.ecoverdirect.com/products/limescale-remover/elime500ml.aspx?productid=elime500ml

Has a look at the ingredients and cant see any bleach :wink:

 

[cj10jeeper]

Jet wash is like anything. There are degrees of use. Get tooo close or too powerful and it'll destroy the roof. Not just the outer 'canvas', but inner butyl waterproof layer.
However for some desperate measures, etc.
I'll keep the patio attachment for patios as the way it rips dirt out on mine is just too scary for a car roof

 

[markeg]

My karcher patio cleaner stripped chunks out of my tarmac.... it's not going anywhere near the car roof.