How to Clean a Yakima SkyBox 16 Carbonite Roof Cargo Box

Step-by-step instructions

Step 1: Empty the box and choose a reachable work position

Remove bags, straps, wet equipment, and loose debris so nothing hides a spill in the floor channels. If the box is too high to reach safely, remove it using the documented clamp procedure and a helper rather than leaning across the vehicle roof. Place it on clean padded supports that do not press on the clamps. Keep track of the key. Open only one side at a time, and make sure that side is properly latched before switching to the other side.

Step 2: Release the mounting levers without dismantling them

For this lever-clamp SkyBox design, Yakima's removal instructions say to raise the levers and lift the box from the crossbars while leaving the thumbwheel adjustments alone. Removing the thumbwheels can disassemble the clamp mechanism. Do not confuse routine removal with the initial fit adjustment procedure, which has additional steps. If the box is being moved to another rack or vehicle, its prior settings are not proof of a correct fit; use the full mounting instructions again.

Step 3: Wash the textured shell gently

Use mild detergent and a soft sponge to loosen road film on the lid and lower shell. Work over small areas, rinsing the sponge often so collected grit is not rubbed across the texture. Do not polish the Carbonite surface as though it were smooth automotive paint or apply a solvent to make it glossy. Yakima's rack maintenance guidance favors hand washing. Remove the cargo box before an automatic car wash; neither an empty box nor locked latches make that wash appropriate.

Step 4: Clean the interior without filling it with water

Lift out loose grit first, then use a damp soapy cloth on the inner floor and reachable lid surfaces. Follow with a clean damp cloth and remove standing droplets. Pay attention to corners where a wet glove or leaking bottle may have rested. Avoid pouring a bucket of water into the box and assuming the mounting openings are drains. Keep wash water controlled around clamp tracks, label areas, and the latch mechanism so the entire interior does not need to be flooded to remove one spill.

Step 5: Inspect latches, clamps, and locks

Wipe dirt from accessible hardware and look for a broken part, rust, unusual movement, or a distorted mounting area. Yakima specifies graphite or another dry lubricant for hardware such as the locks; do not replace that advice with an oily spray across every mechanism. Apply any compatible lock product sparingly according to its directions, then wipe excess from surrounding surfaces. A key that will not turn may indicate an incompletely closed lid, not a lock that needs more lubricant.

Step 6: Dry the box and verify its closure

Leave the empty box open in a sheltered place until the interior, cloth-wiped channels, and hardware are dry, without exposing it to prolonged temperature extremes. Close the lid without forcing it or trapping a strap. The handle must return to its normal horizontal position for locking on this design. Check the lid at both ends to confirm it is latched, not merely resting down. If a latch will not engage after debris is removed, seek replacement or adjustment guidance instead of using the key as a lever.

Step 7: Refit and check before driving

For the same correctly adjusted vehicle setup, place the box back on the crossbars, close the levers, and check tightness as the manual directs. Tug the box to verify it cannot slide on the bars, and inspect all attachment points rather than only the easiest one to reach. Confirm clearance from the rear hatch and sunroof. Secure the contents inside, close and lock the lid, and repeat the before-driving checks. Store the removed dry box away from prolonged extreme heat or cold.