Will a power washer be too much to clean out seams on riveted boat before gluvit?

[jimmwaller]

Hi all:

I have an old aeroline riveted aluminum and there are some pretty good leaks. The hull was caked with dirt, and after hours washing, it's fairly clean. However, there is still a bunch of dirt in the seams, like really in the seams.

Some of the dirt was so caked on the inside of the hull I had to let it soak overnight, and then pretty much chip the dirt off. I don't see how I can get the dirt out of the seams, but there's definite leaking from the seams.

I have a light-duty power washer. Will that just be too much for the seams? I'm afraid of either blowing out the sealant or opening up the metal further than it should go. Or will a power washer actually be helpful?

Anyone tried this? Any insight would be SO super helpful! thank you all!!

 

[sublauxation]

I hope it isn't too much as I did mine last summer. I just have an electric power washer so it wasn't that forceful. It did a great job of cleaning things, I'll have it on the water in a month or so we'll know more then!

 

[mxcobra]

If the power washer does damage, image what the force of waves and wake will do....in my opinion it would be a good test for strength and integrity, this way you can fix the damage at home.

 

[TruckDrivingFool]

That factory sealant is tough stuff and IMHO if the power washer takes the sealant out of the seams it needed to come out so that the Gluvit has a solid base to adhere too.