Pressure washer recommendations?

[Scottie]

I have used a pressure washer before without the results I was hoping for. I noticed a couple of spots where the gelcoat had chipped off. I would not use it again on the top side.

This year I used Starbrite Non-Skid Deck Cleaner and it worked as I had hoped. The top side looked like it did when the boat was new.
Cheers

[Divecoz]

Yo, you got eight grandkids, you got a labor pool.

My 17 Y.O. is a Blessing from GOD ( they all are really ) But he's big enough to help and likes to hang with Papa Still..
Not so much his 13 Y.O. brother...
He's one of those Mathematics Prodigy's .. interesting enough he taught himself H.S. Algebra at 10. and his H.S. a.c.t. or some such test score was off the charts at 11 ... but low and behold..... he cannot figure out how to DO.... anything.... I ask him to do , to help me.. hahahaha!!
The love child of Maynard G Krebs and Albert Einstein... WORK!!?? the rest are too young for anything but fun stuff at Papas house..

[ROAD Soldier]

still have a few problems? address them as individuals.. You dont Punish the whole family for one persons issues do you??..

Obviously you have never been in the Army, one person messes up and everyone is on lockdown. Now for pressure washers mine is a 2600PSI but I put the spray adjuster on 40 degrees on zero and it is all good.

[seahouse]

I purchased the first consumer power washer on the market, the Karcher HD555, in the mid 80's, ordered it before it was available, and still use it today. It has frequently run non-stop for sometimes 7 hours at a shot,(almost continuously). If I had a nickel for every time someone told me it would peel the paint right off a car I would be rich. Ditto for other surface damage.

It has never happened, although I've been warned that I might polish the paint off a few cars from waxing, (facetiously). Some common sense is required.

The way to avoid excessive damage to a surface is to simply increase the distance from the spray tip to the surface. If you aren't sure, just start in an inconspicuous area until you become familiar with its power. I find you will need to hold it close to individual stains momentarily, then move back and continue on. Of course, if there are already weak points (cracks) in the gel coat, you want to keep your distance from them. Same with any seals and window edges, and decals, although I have never had a problem with a properly-applied decal or pinstripe. The angle from the surface that you hold it at can make a difference as well.

Power washing is a very environmentally-friendly cleaning method (if the electricity is generated cleanly), as it can be done for the most part without harsh chemicals, (pre-treat potential problem areas) and often you can siphon water from rain barrels or other non-tapwater sources (the lake, or your pool cover in the spring), if your machine has that capability.

Compare different units by multiplying the pressure by the volume output, and use that number to compare output, as a higher pressure will put out less volume for the same power input. The wands and nozzels add another variable to this, though.

Also know that it does not eliminate some old-fashioned brush scrubbing, though.

Make sure you drain it completely before freezing weather hits, or it's toast.

-Brian.

[aya16]

We have been forced to start using the pressure washer on our boat ( 4000 psi gas engine) Where we store our boat in the mast up area in MDR, CA,
They dont allow the use of any type soap while washing the boat, and now charge .25 cents for two minutes for water.

The pressure washer does a great job, but I use the third nozzle from the highest ( the washer came with 5 nozzles, that go from very high pressure to low)
to clean the boat, as well as hold the spay 4-5 inches from the boat, stubborn stains I blast it closer. The set up seems to work pretty good.
Mike

[Tom Root]

I use 4K PSI all over the boat. I have not noticed any gel removal, as yet. It's the ONLY way to get the plastic Guide Strips for the rear hatch and sliding top any kind of clean and white again!

The biggest problem is keeping ANY rope of any kind out of the way.

I use the Black full pressure tip BTW. If you are leery, just keep it a further distance away! I clean my vehicles the same way.....black tip!