I will be hauling my boat out in October. It has been on a can for the summer and will need a good washing. The boat yard I keep it at is a dusty/gritty one and spring clean up a bear. The yard power washes the bottom when it is hauled out. I was thinking about buying a small portable power washer (electric) and using it to wash the deck and toe rail and cockpit but not the sides of the boat. I would use cold water and it would be a lower power. However, I never see anyone at the yard using a power washer on their decks etc., so I am wondering if there might be a good reason they don't. Is there a problem with my idea?
power washer
- Thread starter Mike8193
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Be careful
washing around the teak wood. Enough direct pressure can wash the softer parts of the teak out and leave a "ribbed" effect. Be careful around anything that penetrates the deck. Other than that, it should work great in fact it's my plan too.
Peace
washing around the teak wood. Enough direct pressure can wash the softer parts of the teak out and leave a "ribbed" effect. Be careful around anything that penetrates the deck. Other than that, it should work great in fact it's my plan too.
Peace
Opinions both ways
Some say NEVER use a pressure water top sides-blows out caulk and causes leaks. Others swear by them. I personally use a 1250psi washer but limit use to 4 or less major cleanups (at least a spring and fall) and try to stay away from fittings. But boy does it make the cleaning faster, especially on the non-skid. On the flat glass, you are better off with a mop to scrub.
Some say NEVER use a pressure water top sides-blows out caulk and causes leaks. Others swear by them. I personally use a 1250psi washer but limit use to 4 or less major cleanups (at least a spring and fall) and try to stay away from fittings. But boy does it make the cleaning faster, especially on the non-skid. On the flat glass, you are better off with a mop to scrub.
watch vinyl graphics
Be careful around vinyl graphics :naughty: - a pressure washer is a great way to strip them off your boat and its gear. I removed the graphics from the dinghy outboard accidently. one quick pass and they were gone forever :cry:
Be careful around vinyl graphics :naughty: - a pressure washer is a great way to strip them off your boat and its gear. I removed the graphics from the dinghy outboard accidently. one quick pass and they were gone forever :cry:
Re: watch vinyl graphics
I have a 2750 psi pressure washer that I use occasionally to clean the topsides of my boat; however, I always use a rotary brush attachment and never use a nozzle. Also it takes two to use it--one to do the power washing and one to keep the black hoze from leaving marks all over the topsides.
I have a 2750 psi pressure washer that I use occasionally to clean the topsides of my boat; however, I always use a rotary brush attachment and never use a nozzle. Also it takes two to use it--one to do the power washing and one to keep the black hoze from leaving marks all over the topsides.
Bleach?
Is there any problem with scrubbing the deck with bleach before power washing? I had good success removing ground-in dirt, tree leaf, scum and other stains from the deck of our old Laser by scrub-brushing on laundry bleach and rinsing it off with a power washer. It even worked well on pretty deep stains in the non-skid. But I'm not so eager to experiment with our O'Day 25. Would bleach harm the fiberglass?
Is there any problem with scrubbing the deck with bleach before power washing? I had good success removing ground-in dirt, tree leaf, scum and other stains from the deck of our old Laser by scrub-brushing on laundry bleach and rinsing it off with a power washer. It even worked well on pretty deep stains in the non-skid. But I'm not so eager to experiment with our O'Day 25. Would bleach harm the fiberglass?
Re: Bleach?
Pretty sure bleach is safe. Swimming pools and hot tubs are commonly built of fiberglass, and bleach is used to clean them with no ill effects.
For deck scrubbing I use a bucket, hose and a long handle on a scrub brush, makes it go plenty quick and seems to work better for me.
Ken.
Pretty sure bleach is safe. Swimming pools and hot tubs are commonly built of fiberglass, and bleach is used to clean them with no ill effects.
For deck scrubbing I use a bucket, hose and a long handle on a scrub brush, makes it go plenty quick and seems to work better for me.
Ken.
Re: Bleach?
One caution when using breach. When you spray it off with the power washer, it can aerosolize and droplets can easily ruin your colored dodger/bimini/sailcover/furled jib suncover.
One caution when using breach. When you spray it off with the power washer, it can aerosolize and droplets can easily ruin your colored dodger/bimini/sailcover/furled jib suncover.
I have a small (1650 psi) electric power washer that I find very useful for a number of boat, and non-boat tasks. I paint my boat with an annual ablative paint and find power washing the bottom a few days prior to spring bottom painting works very well to prep the surface.
I once (made the mistake) of power washing to deck of my H28.5. It did really well in cleaning the non-skid, but anywhere you have a seam, seal or caulk, be VERY careful. I accidently removed caulk from a number of places and created some leaks around the portlights. Perhaps it was time for this caulk to be replaced, but that was not my intention.
I once (made the mistake) of power washing to deck of my H28.5. It did really well in cleaning the non-skid, but anywhere you have a seam, seal or caulk, be VERY careful. I accidently removed caulk from a number of places and created some leaks around the portlights. Perhaps it was time for this caulk to be replaced, but that was not my intention.
thank you
Thank you for all the advice. I think I will try the power washer in the cockpit and along the toe rail. I will avoid the teak and any deck fittings, vinyl lettering and hatches. Mike
Thank you for all the advice. I think I will try the power washer in the cockpit and along the toe rail. I will avoid the teak and any deck fittings, vinyl lettering and hatches. Mike
I used my power washer for the first time this spring!
And i was pleasantly surprised how fast some things can be cleaned up. one hour of power washer=8 hrs of hose and scrub brushes, and does a much better job. add deck cleaner and its a snap to clean up any mildew spots. if caulk is broken loose by the power washer it means it was time to replace it anyway or your getting the nozzle to close or the nozzle setting is wrong.
And i was pleasantly surprised how fast some things can be cleaned up. one hour of power washer=8 hrs of hose and scrub brushes, and does a much better job. add deck cleaner and its a snap to clean up any mildew spots. if caulk is broken loose by the power washer it means it was time to replace it anyway or your getting the nozzle to close or the nozzle setting is wrong.
Pressure wash
I use an electric 1600psi pressure washer over my whole boat. (I do it in the driveway) It cleans the critters off the botom, removes slime and gets rid of stains topsides. Works well on non-skid and makes easy work. I also use Fantastic w/bleach and that helps with stains but keep it away from your clothes and other fabrics as it will leave bleach stains.
I use an electric 1600psi pressure washer over my whole boat. (I do it in the driveway) It cleans the critters off the botom, removes slime and gets rid of stains topsides. Works well on non-skid and makes easy work. I also use Fantastic w/bleach and that helps with stains but keep it away from your clothes and other fabrics as it will leave bleach stains.
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