Hi all, Well, it looks like Spring may finally be upon us here in the cold, wet Northeast of '03='04.... Hallalujah!! Just wondering what the puts and takes might be for using a power washer...small one at about 1500~ psi....to clean a fiber glass hull before waxing. Anybody tried it before? Any real risk to the fiber glass? All inputs, comments, cautions or congratulations on the great idea (LOL!!), welcome!! Fair Winds, Jim
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Recommend Hand Cleaning
This is just a personal opinion - but I'd recommend just hand washing the hull with a cloth and a bit of soap. My feeling is that the pressure cannot be counted on to get every little bit of foreign material off and prior to polishing or waxing and you want it absolutely clean of any grit. Also, I think hand washing would actually be faster on the smooth hull surface - there's really nothing to it. I've used a pressure washer for years, 1250 psi, but it's been on the deck, coachroof, and cockpit and on these surfaces I think it works great, especially on the the anti-skid surfaces and small cracks (aluminum toe rail joint, for example). For the hull (that's above the boot stripe), bottom line, I think cleaning it by hand would be the easiest.
This is just a personal opinion - but I'd recommend just hand washing the hull with a cloth and a bit of soap. My feeling is that the pressure cannot be counted on to get every little bit of foreign material off and prior to polishing or waxing and you want it absolutely clean of any grit. Also, I think hand washing would actually be faster on the smooth hull surface - there's really nothing to it. I've used a pressure washer for years, 1250 psi, but it's been on the deck, coachroof, and cockpit and on these surfaces I think it works great, especially on the the anti-skid surfaces and small cracks (aluminum toe rail joint, for example). For the hull (that's above the boot stripe), bottom line, I think cleaning it by hand would be the easiest.
Jim, yards do it all the time. Should be no harm..
Below the waterline I would use two to three coats of ablative paint, rather than wax, to prevent marine growth. Wax is fine above the waterline. Terry
Below the waterline I would use two to three coats of ablative paint, rather than wax, to prevent marine growth. Wax is fine above the waterline. Terry
Jim - You Mean Wax the Topsides - Right?
For clarification, you want to wax the topsides, right? Or are you a trailer sailor?
For clarification, you want to wax the topsides, right? Or are you a trailer sailor?
How much pressure?
While we're at it, how about using your own pressure washer to clean the bottom? Have you done it? How much pressure? What kind of bottom paint? How much bottom fouling? How successful? Etc. Thanks.
While we're at it, how about using your own pressure washer to clean the bottom? Have you done it? How much pressure? What kind of bottom paint? How much bottom fouling? How successful? Etc. Thanks.
pressure washer
I think a pressure washer rating of 1200 to 1400 psi would be ideal. Be careful not to get too close to the hatches and ports as the pressure from the washer will penetrate these areas and you'll find water inside your boat.
I think a pressure washer rating of 1200 to 1400 psi would be ideal. Be careful not to get too close to the hatches and ports as the pressure from the washer will penetrate these areas and you'll find water inside your boat.
DID IT LAST WEEK
In Boston did my hull ( topside) last W.E Power wssh is a first step To really clean before waxing I did the following A) Pressure wash with boat soap ( Lots) b) Clean with 3 M counpound C) Clean acetone d ) pressure wash with light soap Looked so good that might not need to wax
In Boston did my hull ( topside) last W.E Power wssh is a first step To really clean before waxing I did the following A) Pressure wash with boat soap ( Lots) b) Clean with 3 M counpound C) Clean acetone d ) pressure wash with light soap Looked so good that might not need to wax
Hand washing
I agree with John, topside are so smooth that I can't see power washing being more efficient than hand washing. And if your boat is in a yard close to others its rather unneighbourly to blast your soap and dirt onto the other boats. Kevin
I agree with John, topside are so smooth that I can't see power washing being more efficient than hand washing. And if your boat is in a yard close to others its rather unneighbourly to blast your soap and dirt onto the other boats. Kevin
No Power washers!!
No power washers , You can clean the bedding {caulking} from critical cleats ect.. Use the old standby " BleachWhite" the old whitewall cleaner.. It is easy . Dont use it too often,, Bleach is hard on the Gel coat.. Yopu can buy it at auto stores!!
No power washers , You can clean the bedding {caulking} from critical cleats ect.. Use the old standby " BleachWhite" the old whitewall cleaner.. It is easy . Dont use it too often,, Bleach is hard on the Gel coat.. Yopu can buy it at auto stores!!
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