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Subject Topic: Caravan Cleaning and Ladders Post Reply Post New Topic
07/6/2009 at 10:24am
 Location: Boldon
 Outfit: Elddis Firestorm
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I store my caravan at home, but it is under trees.  I will be getting a cover in the future but in the meantime, it is covered in bird muck on the roof.

Will I risk damaging the seals on the sides of the caravan if I lean a ladder against it to get to the roof and clean the muck off it?

What is the best stuff to get bird muck stains off, apart from elbow grease?

As ever, thanks.

 

 



07/6/2009 at 10:46am
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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wrap and tie on to the ladder foam pipe insulation at the point it touches the channel.this will protect the awning channel.take care not to damage your van or windows with your shoe toe tips its easy to do.try fenwicks neat for the bird droppings.

www.fenwicks.info



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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


07/6/2009 at 10:48am
 Location: nr Derby
 Outfit: Phoenix 440+
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Never had a problem using ladders - been using them since 19981.  I use Fenwicks which does a good job without the need for too much elbow grease. If relly stubborn stains then mix up some stronger solution as per the instructions and put it in an old spray bottle.


07/6/2009 at 11:09am
 Location: Boldon
 Outfit: Elddis Firestorm
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Good to hear that about the ladders.

The reach is a bit difficult.  Maybe a mop to help with that?  Anyone used that?



07/6/2009 at 11:20am
 Location: nr Derby
 Outfit: Phoenix 440+
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Used both a mop and an extendable soft brush - both work or wrap an old towel round the end of an ordinary household brush.


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07/6/2009 at 3:02pm
 Location: Boldon
 Outfit: Elddis Firestorm
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Why didnt I cover it before putting it under the trees!!  The roof is a complete mess of bird poo, and tree and leaf bits.  We must have massive birds round here!

 

What a nightmare job... just taking a tea break and still doing it.

 

My hands feel like they are webbed they have been in water for so long!



07/6/2009 at 3:09pm
 Location: East Lancashire
 Outfit: Burstner Ventana 520TL
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If you don't have any pipe insulation, you can use old socks.


07/6/2009 at 3:30pm
 Location: North Lincs
 Outfit: Kia Ceed 2 sw Abbey Spectrum 215
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HI i use a ladder cut to the correct length ,screw on a piece of 4x1 or similar,stick on 2 cheap car wash sponges and the lean the ladder agaian the side of the van .

this should enable you to reach half way accros the roof using fenwicks cleaner ,then rinse of with bobby dazzler mixed in a watering can.

hope this solves your problem.



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Bandpg


07/6/2009 at 4:47pm
 Location: 
 Outfit: 
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Quote: Originally posted by seanus on 07/6/2009

Why didnt I cover it before putting it under the trees!!  The roof is a complete mess of bird poo, and tree and leaf bits.  We must have massive birds round here!


 

 

Mmmm, I know what you mean.  Mrs Returnee appears to think that her eternal salvation relies upon her feeding enormous quantities of food to wild birds (and more arrive every day as word gets around)

Being wretched and ungrateful creatures they repay her kindness by c**pping all over the car & caravan - which (naturally) is left to me to sort out.



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'If it ain't broke, don't worry - it soon will be'


07/6/2009 at 5:53pm
 Location: Boldon
 Outfit: Elddis Firestorm
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My next purchase is going to be a cover!



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07/6/2009 at 5:54pm
 Location: York
 Outfit: Sterling Eccles Ruby & Kia Sedona
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Hi,

We too have a problem with trees.  We live next door to an open space of trees and our caravan stores along side the house.  We bought a cover for it as soon as we bought the caravan but, were not sure if the cover isn;t scratching the windows.  As we intend to be in and out over the next few months in the van we haven't put the cover on.  But we too are worried for the sap of the trees absolutely ruining the caravan and if its anything like it does to our cars its not nice, it becomes very very sticky. Its a real nuisance and would love the trees closest to our fence to be cut down but they are protected.  We have fenwicks and bobby dazzler cleaning and i guess its just a case of constant cleaning. 



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Booked:Chester CC, Knaresborough CC


07/6/2009 at 8:47pm
 Location: West Cumbria
 Outfit: Ace Aristocrat caravan & Campervan
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Cant you just buy covers that just fit on the roof??

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Jan:Braids Gretna, Feb Stanwix Park Silloth & Braids Gretna,


07/6/2009 at 10:06pm
 Location: Lancashire
 Outfit: Caravan now Sold
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Cant you just buy covers that just fit on the roof

yes you can.



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the only silly question is the one you do not ask.


07/6/2009 at 10:35pm
 Location: Blackburn Lancashire
 Outfit: Compass Echo 340
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I use a stepladder so as to not lean on the caravan.
I also use a mop.

Lots of warm soapy water sitting on the roof while you have a brew helps loosen the damn stuff.

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best cheers
Frank
Range Rover Vogue SE LPG TAZ


08/6/2009 at 7:41pm
 Location: south yorks
 Outfit: None Entered
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  I have one of those pointed ladders with a single rubber  shoe at the top which I cover with a cloth it is just the right height to sit on the rail and is unbeleivably stable. Don't remember where it came from but it is one of the best bits of kit that I've got.    

I find that bobby dazzler is best put on using one of those sprayers normally used for spraying the fence   (after a rinse with the hose)



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josiewales



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