Seastoke
Well-Known Member
So which is the best brush looking for one that extends on a hose ,or is there like after end
Boat washing
- Thread starter Seastoke
- Start date
kashurst
Well-Known Member
I have tried a few plug the hose on type brushes but not been impressed. Lots of water not much cleaning. Now I really like floor squeegee mops and a bucket - the mop with a square of sponge on the end that with a lever you can squeeze dry(er) by folding in half. Very good on canopy windows too. Make sure you buy a few spare sponges, they fall off. If the wind is right, you can go and sit in the marina bar with a cold one and they turn up again after about an hour at the end of the marina by the bar.
(Note for lazy Spanish based boaters like myself, you can't get them in Spain. Another good excuse to put off cleaning the boat for another few months until you come back again and remember to bring a couple with you. Mind you, then it will be autumn and cold so better to wait until spring next year. With a bit of luck it might rain over winter saving you the trouble)
They work well for shifting dirt etc of vertical and upper surfaces and that area you can't be bothered to reach over the windscreen. If you can manage to put some effort in very effective with seagull poo. Use with starbright wash and wax for a truly lazy boater clean up. You don't get a very good shine but at least you can say you tried (well for 1/2 an hour - isn't that enough?)
For flat deck surfaces jet washer. (Unless it's teak in which case a quick hose down and then ignore it, it will go grey in a few days anyway)
(Note for lazy Spanish based boaters like myself, you can't get them in Spain. Another good excuse to put off cleaning the boat for another few months until you come back again and remember to bring a couple with you. Mind you, then it will be autumn and cold so better to wait until spring next year. With a bit of luck it might rain over winter saving you the trouble)
They work well for shifting dirt etc of vertical and upper surfaces and that area you can't be bothered to reach over the windscreen. If you can manage to put some effort in very effective with seagull poo. Use with starbright wash and wax for a truly lazy boater clean up. You don't get a very good shine but at least you can say you tried (well for 1/2 an hour - isn't that enough?)
For flat deck surfaces jet washer. (Unless it's teak in which case a quick hose down and then ignore it, it will go grey in a few days anyway)
rubberduck
Well-Known Member
burgundyben
Well-Known Member
For boat washing you need the advice of Firefly625, his boat is so sparkly clean that even the Stig's eyes hurt through his visor.
Irish Rover
Well-Known Member
Different angle and sorry for hijacking the thread. My marina (and most others here) don’t allow any kind of detergent to be used and if there are any suds around the boat you are guaranteed a visit and a warning. Even when you use one of the so called eco friendly wash products they’re after you - suds are the enemy. I know other boat owners are using chlorine which is more damaging to the environment and the gel coat but I’d rather not go down that road. Has anyone any suggestions for an effective suds free wash.
luptonj
Well-Known Member
Chlorine is pretty widely used here as well (usually Chlorus, more concentrated than bleach, used for milking parlours).
I started using it recently, works brilliantly, haven't seen any adverse effects on the gel coat yet anyway (not that it could get much worse). But many more expensive boats than mine are using it.
I spray it on with a weed sprayer and power wash it off. It only takes a small amount, by the time it's washed off it's no worse for the environment than using a normal hose. They add exactly the same stuff to the water supply.
Your other option is going to be one of the acids like oxalic acid, these work well but I'm not sure they're any safer than Chlorine.
Or plain old power washing, get a powerful power washer and blast away but you will need a chemical cleaner at least once a year.
I started using it recently, works brilliantly, haven't seen any adverse effects on the gel coat yet anyway (not that it could get much worse). But many more expensive boats than mine are using it.
I spray it on with a weed sprayer and power wash it off. It only takes a small amount, by the time it's washed off it's no worse for the environment than using a normal hose. They add exactly the same stuff to the water supply.
Your other option is going to be one of the acids like oxalic acid, these work well but I'm not sure they're any safer than Chlorine.
Or plain old power washing, get a powerful power washer and blast away but you will need a chemical cleaner at least once a year.
bigwow
Well-Known Member
I would have thought with that posh new boat Roy you'd be leaving the choice of brush to your cleaner not doing it yourself:encouragement:
BruceK
Well-Known Member
You mean Val's new boat and she has a cleaner, Roy.
Seastoke
Well-Known Member
So hijacking my thread back there must be more ideas
Marine Reflections
Well-Known Member
When I have to use a brush due to reach, its on a shurhold pole that'll float if dropped in the drink, can swap brushes and the softness of each varies for each application.
Can't help with one that'll fit on a hose, but Halfords seem to always have one, the reach isn't all that is the only prob.
Can't help with one that'll fit on a hose, but Halfords seem to always have one, the reach isn't all that is the only prob.
Marine Reflections
Well-Known Member
Condition of the surfaces.
It's possible to wash with water only but the surfaces need to be in A1 and performing in terms of hydrophobicity or it won't work.
All suds do is make the water more hydrophillic.
bluetooth
Well-Known Member
Basically relevant to thread - I'm after a TELESCOPIC EXTENDABLE CAR/BOAT WASH WASHING BRUSH
After dropping mine into depths of a marina I need a new one. Had a great EZREACH one with 45 tilting head option but cant find anymore.
Anyone bought a new one recently that is robust and takes a hose pipe and would recommend ?
Cheers
After dropping mine into depths of a marina I need a new one. Had a great EZREACH one with 45 tilting head option but cant find anymore.
Anyone bought a new one recently that is robust and takes a hose pipe and would recommend ?
Cheers
Momac
Well-Known Member
Could try Silky Cream Cleaner which is applied with a damp cloth and rinsed off . No suds - it feels soapy- but you would see some slight white residue in the water from wringing out a cloth or possibly from rinsing off.
https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/search/go?view=grid&w=silky+cream
pathfinderstu
Well-Known Member
the solution for suds is do it at night time,,,,:encouragement:
lydiamight
Well-Known Member
If you want a detergent without any suds then try Dishwasher powder, or crush the tablets if you can't get the powder.
Rocksteadee
Well-Known Member
I use flash floor cleaner, cheap as chips no suds. I have a rail bridge one side and a motorway the other with all associated black deposits. Works for me
gjgm
Well-Known Member
I don't think the hose bit adds anything other than leaking and making the whole thing too heavy. Surehold actually works very well, add an extendable pole and choose your preferred brush head. Inexplicably expensive for a damn brush...but guess we have had ours 10 years or so..then add a dirt heap wooden scrubbing type brush for the foredeck anti slip area.
