Cleaning Deck with Electric Power washer

[Guan]

Doing my dirtiest first deck wash of the year with Kracher Electric Power washer was easy and quick but was told that I was making my 361 into a potential sponge!
Any comments from "spongy" owners doing it this way?

I plan to do power washing twice or max thrice a year.

Happy sailing!

 

[FlorDLuna]

I tried 2 or 3 times cleaning the deck with a 5hp power sprayer; despite all the noise and pressure, it never got close to the results I get with a bottle of Softscrub and a pad or brush at the end of a boathook pole.

 

[Syversens]

I've done it for years on our 361 and no sponging yet, that I know of. I do take care around the toe rail and other fittings with sealant, I've heard some open up leaks that way. I also notice that it does strip wax so I'm not aggressively digging into a trouble area, a combination of light power wash and brush gets it pretty clean. Going to try a rubbing compound and waxing this summer.... maybe

 

[BigEasy]

Agree totally with Syversens. As long as you keep the water stream away from thru deck fitting and hatch fittings you should be OK. I typically power wash my deck once, at most, twice a year. Does a great job of getting rid of stains & mildew. I do the routine scrubbing with a boat brush & Star Brite deck cleaner. Actually, I am not a fan of using soft scrub on the deck---it leads to abrasion & scratches that over time will make the deck stain easier & chalky. I am not advocating using a 4000 psi industrial pressure washer; just one for use around the house & boat.

 

[FlorDLuna]

I've done it for years on our 361 and no sponging yet, that I know of. I do take care around the toe rail and other fittings with sealant, I've heard some open up leaks that way. I also notice that it does strip wax so I'm not aggressively digging into a trouble area, a combination of light power wash and brush gets it pretty clean. Going to try a rubbing compound and waxing this summer.... maybe

Don't wax deck non-skid surfaces; your deck will become dangerously slippery. You might want to try acrylic kitchen floor products like Mop n Glo. Shiny but not slippery.

 

[njlarry]

Bear in mind that you are using a much lower volume of water with a pressure washer and for less time.

 

[Scotty C-M]

Yep, I've used a low pressure electric unit for years. Maybe twice in a year. I'm careful, as others have already stated, around any fittings/hatches etc. Never on teak. Works great.

 

[Jim21895]

I've used a low pressure power washer on deck surfaces for years without issue. Just avoid a very concentrated spray, the fittings, and any wood. I typically use a fan spray, and no closer than 6 - 10".

As for wax on non-skid, there are waxes made for that type of surface that do not result in a slippery surface. I've used this for a long time, and it works pretty well:

 

[Syversens]

Yep, I've used a low pressure electric unit for years. Maybe twice in a year. I'm careful, as others have already stated, around any fittings/hatches etc. Never on teak. Works great.

I must admit I've used pressure washer on teak, it freshens it up considerably and gets rid of lots of dirt. I've heard its not good for the teak but my thinking is that the glued teak has had limited lifespan anyways, if it was screwed in and half in thick I'd be more careful but I think they'll unglue before the teak is damaged with pressure washer.

That said I'm not blasting full force and not sure I recommend it but I do find myself doing it..... :neutral:

 

[Guan]

Thanks to all for all the feed back! Always very quick and most helpful. Happy sailing....less time scrubbing!
Guan

 

[DougM]

Personal preference on my part is to never pressure wash. Its far too aggressive, a scrub brush and decent soap normally does a good job.
As for teak surfaces , simply salt water and scrubbing across the grain does a remarkably good job. Never scrub with the grain, it eventually erodes the softer parts of the wood in the growth rings.

 

[thinwater]

a. the yield strength of most sealants is 200-600 psi when new.

b. the power washer is 800-1500 psi.

c. the impact pressure is less, depending on the distance.

d. the strength of the seal depends on the joint depth.

Make your choice. Personally, a brush with the right soap works better and is safer.

Wax? I've a got a lot of better things to do with my time.