Is a pressure washer worth it?

I mainly use a pressure washer to remove grit and other contaminates from a surface prior to washing, the potential for scratching the surface is greatly reduced.

Without doing so, the grit would get caught up in the sponge and before long you would have introduced 'cleaning scratches'.

Normal hose pressure may remove some of the loose contaminates, but fails to remove the bonded. The bonded then loosens during the wash and is picked up and worked over the surfaces.

A pressure washer is simply a better and safer method than aggitation alone.

I do clean just using the pontoon hose sometimes, but almost always it's on surfaces that are performing in terms of surface rejection - lower pressure is required to remove particles on a rejecting surface as they are not given the chance to bond.


Yes, in the wrong hands a pressure washer can be harmful, but if you cannot control the amount of pressure coming out of the lance with variable pressure, you can control the distance you are from the surface.



I wouldn't say perfect clean was vital, it's the correct method and the right ideal, but far from vital.

I've found that getting the various surfaces up to standard and keeping them that way, is by far easier than letting it go, (a stitch in time saves nine) but each to their own and can respect those who didn't fuss over what their boat looked like or how the various surfaces performed.


Tony
 
We have a small PW aboard but a far more useable tool is a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. Amazing how much tedious tasks can be made almost bearable...

Sorry for the dreaded dread thrift.. :-)
 
We have a small PW aboard but a far more useable tool is a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. Amazing how much tedious tasks can be made almost bearable...

Sorry for the dreaded dread thrift.. :-)

Concur! The Carréfour €19.99 unit is a godsend for cleaning the inside of the boat and clearing up before varnishing - and that's a dry unit only.
 
+1 for the vacuum cleaner; especially when one has an old boat and a liking for carpentry!. I can saw, drill, scrape, abrade, chisel without using power tools but for clearing up the debris there's nothing to beat a vaccuum cleaner. It gets to the parts other things can't reach.
 
+1 for the vacuum cleaner; especially when one has an old boat and a liking for carpentry!. I can saw, drill, scrape, abrade, chisel without using power tools but for clearing up the debris there's nothing to beat a vaccuum cleaner. It gets to the parts other things can't reach.

100% agree I have both wet and dry Vacuum cleaner that I can run from my inverter or generator. I also have a small pressure that I mainly use to clean down before anti fouling.

If you have stick on anti slip deck covering like treadmaster don't use a pressure washer as it will lift the edges very quickly. May be an easy way to remove the deck covering when it needs replacing.
 
... If you have stick on anti slip deck covering like treadmaster don't use a pressure washer as it will lift the edges very quickly. May be an easy way to remove the deck covering when it needs replacing.

I have to disagree Roger, although I appreciate that the risk is very real and possible. I have given my Treadmaster a pressure wash on a few occasions and it cleans it up well. It won't clean it thoroughly as only detergent, warm water and a scrubbing brush can do that. My tip is to use bleach, hardly diluted, brush on and leave after a good pressure wash. It lifts the crud out where hard scrubbing and the pressure washer won't., flush well after of course.
 
I have to disagree Roger, although I appreciate that the risk is very real and possible. I have given my Treadmaster a pressure wash on a few occasions and it cleans it up well. It won't clean it thoroughly as only detergent, warm water and a scrubbing brush can do that. My tip is to use bleach, hardly diluted, brush on and leave after a good pressure wash. It lifts the crud out where hard scrubbing and the pressure washer won't., flush well after of course.

In my case the edges started to lift when the water was directed on the edge. If it is only directed at the treadmaster its self it may be OK. I must say it was not me but one of my African boat cleaners who did this.

BTW my treadmaster was stuck down using PU adhesive like sikaflex so there may be a difference with the type of glue used. Also my treadmaster (light gray) gets so hot in the summer sun that you cannot walk on it something you may not get too much in Scotland.
 
I also find bleach, neat cheap Lidl variety, brings Treadmaster up a treat.

I also pressure wash mine and it shows no sign of lifting. I am using a relatively small pressure washer though and am not in South African temperatures. Mine looks to be affixed with epoxy adhesive.
 
Bought a cheap, cold water only pressure washer years ago. Wouldn't be without it now. Used on the boats, cars, concrete paths, patio, exterior walls etc. And it'll remove paint or anti-fouling easily when required. Best 25 quid I ever spent.
 
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