Has anyone used a power washer to clean their hull? (below water line on the trailer) How much preasure did you use? Any tips you can share? Did it work, or should I just break out the brush and some elbow grease? Thanks. -Tom
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Ron Mehringer
Mixed reviews
I thing there is no consensus on this subject, here on the forum. A number of people have reported good results. Others have cautioned against it, citing possible damage to the gelcoat. Personally, I'd do it. Just be careful not to get too close to the hull with the wand and uses a fan spray tip. Now let's hear from those with actual experience. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
I thing there is no consensus on this subject, here on the forum. A number of people have reported good results. Others have cautioned against it, citing possible damage to the gelcoat. Personally, I'd do it. Just be careful not to get too close to the hull with the wand and uses a fan spray tip. Now let's hear from those with actual experience. Ron Mehringer h26 Hydro-Therapy
They do it in the boat yards all day long.
Tom: They powerwash the bottoms in most boat yards every day. This is the method that is used to remove the scum, debris and loose paint. I would assume that you would want to start on a low pressure setting if you have a large industrial unit. I doubt that most of the home units are powerful enough to make any difference.
Tom: They powerwash the bottoms in most boat yards every day. This is the method that is used to remove the scum, debris and loose paint. I would assume that you would want to start on a low pressure setting if you have a large industrial unit. I doubt that most of the home units are powerful enough to make any difference.
power washing
I have used a power washer for years, have used smaller electric ones and the big gas type. I use on off( hull cleaner ) first, that stuff is hard to beat for bottoms, follow all precautions carefully it is nasty stuff , there was a long thread on this some time ago and some one actually gave a psi that was safe, to me it is common sense, I saw a young guy pressure washing a new building one time and he was actually blasting the outer surface of the brick off the building, careful with the pressure washer around anything that is caulked , ports etc, also keep away from vinyl or you can take it right off, make sure to keep it on the fan setting and stay a reasonable distance from the boat, good luck Mike Bacome
I have used a power washer for years, have used smaller electric ones and the big gas type. I use on off( hull cleaner ) first, that stuff is hard to beat for bottoms, follow all precautions carefully it is nasty stuff , there was a long thread on this some time ago and some one actually gave a psi that was safe, to me it is common sense, I saw a young guy pressure washing a new building one time and he was actually blasting the outer surface of the brick off the building, careful with the pressure washer around anything that is caulked , ports etc, also keep away from vinyl or you can take it right off, make sure to keep it on the fan setting and stay a reasonable distance from the boat, good luck Mike Bacome
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Ross Terry
power washer stories
I use a power washer that runs about 3000psi every year to clean the topside of my boat every year. works great on the no-skid textured surfaces. keep about 2-3" away with the tip and don't get carried away and blast the crap out of one spot too long. Use a little common sense around any fittings or other deck penetrations and you should be fine. On the side of the hull and other smooth areas I've actually had better luck with a scotchbrite pad(those green scrubberpads that you get in a grocery store) and a little elbow grease than power washers. They take off scuff marks and the like very well, even scuffmarks on the rubrails. Funky bottoms with slime probably would be better with a powerwasher and then a scotchbrite pad. I cleaned off the side of my hull with a powerwasher once and found a fiberglass repair when the gelcoat came flying off from the pressure. Use a little common sense and you will be fine. ross
I use a power washer that runs about 3000psi every year to clean the topside of my boat every year. works great on the no-skid textured surfaces. keep about 2-3" away with the tip and don't get carried away and blast the crap out of one spot too long. Use a little common sense around any fittings or other deck penetrations and you should be fine. On the side of the hull and other smooth areas I've actually had better luck with a scotchbrite pad(those green scrubberpads that you get in a grocery store) and a little elbow grease than power washers. They take off scuff marks and the like very well, even scuffmarks on the rubrails. Funky bottoms with slime probably would be better with a powerwasher and then a scotchbrite pad. I cleaned off the side of my hull with a powerwasher once and found a fiberglass repair when the gelcoat came flying off from the pressure. Use a little common sense and you will be fine. ross
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crazy dave
PSI settings
Yes there are many reviews but for one who uses power washes in our yard, be careful as a high setting will damage the gel coat and any caulking. 3000 is way too high. The earlier comments on safe handling are good and should be adherred to. clean up any mess you make.
Yes there are many reviews but for one who uses power washes in our yard, be careful as a high setting will damage the gel coat and any caulking. 3000 is way too high. The earlier comments on safe handling are good and should be adherred to. clean up any mess you make.
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Tom M.
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