pressure washing the boat

Natesms

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 8, 2012
Messages
464
Re: pressure washing the boat

Watch out for pin striping and decals. I've accidentally peeled some back before with the pressure washer.

My best results for cleaning have always been a combo of the power-washer, scrub brush and sponges. Each one seems to clean different areas the best / safest.
 

skydiveD30571

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Feb 13, 2012
Messages
1,042
Re: pressure washing the boat

Be careful around the bellows and other parts around the transom assembly.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,150
Re: pressure washing the boat

Do....use a non-detergent cleaner unless you plan on waxing the area
Don't.....use a power washer. Nothing good can come of it. :D
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: pressure washing the boat

I think they're great for fiberglass surfaces and if you're careful painted bottoms.

IN addition to stripes, decals and stickers they will take off your capacity "plate."
 

crabby captain john

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 6, 2011
Messages
1,823
Re: pressure washing the boat

Never needed a power washer and still see no benefit. Hose, brush, spray with muriatic acid, hose well, and wax.
 

Mason78

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 20, 2011
Messages
224
Re: pressure washing the boat

Are you planning on hitting the engine or just the hull?
 

crabby captain john

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 6, 2011
Messages
1,823
Re: pressure washing the boat

No one said "dump acid" on anything. A diluted mix of water and muriatic acid will do no damage other than removing wax. A power washer on the other hand.....

For starters, some folks don't dump acid on their hulls ;)
 

DougGreer

Cadet
Joined
Sep 13, 2012
Messages
16
Re: pressure washing the boat

Never saw a marina that didn`t use a pressure washer, Just have to be carefull around decals.
 

moosehead

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 29, 2012
Messages
437
Re: pressure washing the boat

Must be the off season. Cabin fever setting in early.
 

tboltmike

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 17, 2006
Messages
340
Re: pressure washing the boat

Don't jet the back side of the trailer hubs.
Can shoot water past the seals and into the bearings.
Distance makes a big difference as to water force exerted on the hull.
 

MWG2600

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 4, 2011
Messages
157
Re: pressure washing the boat

I have not been able to damage gel cote or textured gel cote decks, with a steam cleaner.

It will take off almost everything, weather it be moss, grease, lake scum, or tar. once you get the hull up to about 150*F all the hard to get off stains come off. Dont tell me those temps will damage the fiberglass, i live in Texas the boat gets baked in a steel building all summer long!
 

four winns 214

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Oct 25, 2008
Messages
763
Re: pressure washing the boat

I use the hull cleaner containing oxalic acid available in the sporting goods area at Wal-Mart. It's changed names a time or two and I can't recall the current name. I pour it in a small garden pump sprayer and apply it an area at time, let work and hose it off. Works like magic and no power washer needed. Hose down the trailer before and after applying the hull cleaner.
 

smokeonthewater

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
9,838
Re: pressure washing the boat

I pressure wash the heck out of EVERYTHING hard..... I once spent nearly a full day in 100 degree july heat trying to wash the black winter scum off the textured deck on the bow of my boat with all sorts of cleaners and then fully cleaned the whole boat in 20 minutes at the carwash..... LESSON LEARNED..... I TRIED to strip the bottom paint with a KILLER of a pressure washer and it took off VERY little... for the work difference, I will NOT be scrubbing... If some how the pressure washer manages to dissolve my boat I'll get another boat and pressure wash IT... btw I have never shown the glass n gelcoat ANY mercy and have never damaged anything... don't get close up to electronics, caulking, vinyl seats, dash, etc tho
 

agallant80

Commander
Joined
Oct 25, 2010
Messages
2,328
Re: pressure washing the boat

Im thinking of using it more so for cleaning the non skid on the deck. Boat is gong to be put up for the season this weekend. I want to wax her before she goes away so I don't see the harm in using a pressure washer to get her nice and clean. I was thinking of using the 1200PSI tip.
 

OllieC

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Dec 8, 2011
Messages
533
Re: pressure washing the boat

I use Star Brite Non-Skid cleaner with a medium (blue) brush and IMO it works miracles. So does Meguiars Cleaner wax for removing stains and black streaks. FSR for rust.

As for a pressure washer - I just waxed my boat, I'd like to keep it on for a little while anyway. So "ixnay" for me.

This season I have become a firm believer in a little "elbow grease". We all have had black streaks, scratches, stains etc. My power washer doesn't help with any of that - just strips stuff that I don't want stripped.
 
Last edited:
Top