Cleaning difficult-to-get-to canopy windows

Submitted: Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 15:37
ThreadID: 88979 Views:10336 Replies:6 FollowUps:8
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Would anyone have any cunning solutions for getting access to and cleaning the canopy front windows and cab rear window (which face eachother) as in the case of a Hilux dual cab fitted with an ARB canopy.
I suspect the 15mm gap between them makes this virtually possible but any bright ideas would really be appreciated.
Peter
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Reply By: Bushranger1 - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:35

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:35
G'Day Pete,
I have exactly the same canopy & vehicle as you.

I tried one of those fish tank magnetic cleaners where you put the magnetic handpiece on the outside of the glass & the rubber cleaner on the inside but there is isn't even enough room to get the cleaner bit in between the glass.

So I too eagerly await some clever solution to the issue.

So come on everyone bring on a solution for both of us!

Cheers
Stu
AnswerID: 464810

Reply By: Rick and Kerrie - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:38

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:38
A sponge tied in the middle of a bit of cord with 1 person each side, pull sponge side to side while working it up and down. Worked for me for twenty years with my Hi-Lux dual cab.

Cheers Rick
AnswerID: 464811

Follow Up By: Bushranger1 - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:53

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 17:53
Thanks Rick,
Sounds pretty funny to watch.

You would think if its been a problem for that long the manufacturer would have come up with a way to easily do it!

Cheers
Stu
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FollowupID: 738776

Reply By: Fred G NSW - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 18:31

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 18:31
Try spraying some CT18 truck wash in there onto the glass with a spray bottle. If the glass is really dirty so is everything else in there. Leave it for 10/15 minutes, then use a hose to wash it all out. Works well for me. If it is really grimey, repeat the procedure once or twice.

Fred

AnswerID: 464818

Follow Up By: poitr - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 20:13

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 20:13
Thanks Fred and Rick, I'll try both of these.
The duelling sponge does sound like a bit of a hoot.
Peter
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FollowupID: 738792

Follow Up By: Fred G NSW - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 20:21

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 20:21
Peter, the duelling sponge system is best done after a few beers or chardy's with ya mate or partner..... LOL.

The CT18 disolves the surface grime and can then be washed off, high pressure is best.

Let us all know how things go. We don't get enough feedback for advice offered on here.

Fred.
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Follow Up By: Rick and Kerrie - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 07:10

Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 07:10
I never thought of how we looked to the neighbours when washing the window, I now use the same system to clean the roof of the Troopy under the roof rack pulling the cord front to back.
Maybe I should do it at night when the neighbours cant see, or sell tickets.

Cheers Rick
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FollowupID: 738812

Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 09:02

Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 09:02
I'd endorse Fred's vote for CT-18. Been using it for years, and it works well. Particularly good for grass hopper guts on front of vehicle. Can leave it on for 24-48 hrs, if you have the time, and rip it off with good water pressure.

Somehow??? ended up with a bottle of Glitz Outdoor Glass Cleaner, in one of weed 'n feed type bottles, that you spray on. Don't know what it is like as haven't used any, but might be worth a try.

Bob

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FollowupID: 738818

Reply By: westozal - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 20:25

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 20:25
Hi,

I have a Dmax Dual Cab and had the same problem. My wife brought me a hand held mop thing which works a treat.
It is about 45 cm long by 8 cm wide plus about 15cm handle and a cple cm thick.
One side has the padded tenticle type sponge look..like the upmarket colour car sponges and other side is almost like towelling. It has a flat plastic skeleton which the cover goes over. Mine is lime green in colour.
I can reach all areas between the car and the canopy with it no worries. The plastic skeleton has a fair degree of flexibility so can bend to suit.
It has the name LIBMAN on the handle and my wife thinks she got it from the mops and sponge section of BIG W store here in WA.
It was relatively inexpensive from her memory. Also the cover can be taken off and washed or disposed of and a new one added. Held on by a short piece of velcro over the shoulder of the blade once slipped on.
Hope this helps.

cheers AL
AnswerID: 464840

Follow Up By: poitr - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 07:44

Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 07:44
Al,
How much clearance do you have between the back of the cab and the canopy?
Peter
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FollowupID: 738814

Follow Up By: westozal - Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 21:30

Tuesday, Sep 13, 2011 at 21:30
Hi Peter,

Just roughly I have about a 25 to 30 mm gap to push the wipe through.
It kinda curves so hard to measure exactly.
The canopy is the orginal Isuzu one which i think is a re badged ARB model.
The mop thingo fits between no problems and can do all the window but i do have to stand on a milk crate to get the middle bit.

Cheers AL
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FollowupID: 738870

Follow Up By: poitr - Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 07:44

Wednesday, Sep 14, 2011 at 07:44
Thanks Al. I'll keep my eye out for one of these Libman mops
Peter
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FollowupID: 738882

Reply By: Member - Tony H (touring oz) - Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 23:50

Monday, Sep 12, 2011 at 23:50
Hi all,
When I had my Hi;lux with a canopy I used an el cheapo feather duster to clean the offending windows. Swish around in bucket of soapy water then come in from the 'top' with the feather duster to clean the windows then hose off..... worked for me
AnswerID: 464866

Reply By: poitr - Friday, Sep 16, 2011 at 15:48

Friday, Sep 16, 2011 at 15:48
Fellow travelers,

I have a had great success cleaning those inaccessible cab & canopy windows, thanks to your suggestions.

Fred, the CT18 was just magic, removing a big swag of the grime and dirt before I'd even used the sponge.

I then used Rick's two way sponge trick followed by a bit of high pressure hosing, and I reckon the windows are now 99% clean. The added benefit of the sponge-and-hose method was that we had a lot of fun with this, and I had the opportunity to see my wife in a wet T-shirt for the first time in 20 years!!

I'll still keep an eye out for the mop thingy suggested by AL, but can highly recommend a dose of CT18 and the sponge-on-a-string.

Thanks again for the help with this
Cheers
Peter
AnswerID: 465187

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