Pressure wash a hull?

(fogey) · (fogey) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 01-19-2010, 7:29 PM

It's a long story why this happened, but my boat ended up sitting in the water for about a month. That was long enough for it to get really dirty and there's algae growing on it.

Can I use a pressure washer to get it clean, or would that risk damage to the gel coat?

(wake_upppp) · (wake_upppp) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 01-19-2010, 7:35 PM

Scrub it off while the boats still in the water if it's not too late. Once that stuff dries it's hell to get off. The pressure washer won't hurt it that I'm aware of.

(Message edited by wake_upppp on January 19, 2010)

(chpthril) · (chpthril) **Join Date: Oct 2007** 01-19-2010, 7:35 PM

No damage at all, but dont pull it out of the water until your ready to wash it. When that chit dries, it's hell to get off.

(bill_airjunky) · (bill_airjunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 01-19-2010, 8:00 PM

Starbrite hull cleaner. It'll come right off.

(54t) · (54t) **Join Date: Nov 2006** 01-20-2010, 4:37 AM

Ditto on Starbrite. I've used it on my 2006 210 regularly and have had no damage and good results,

(beretta5spd) · (beretta5spd) **Join Date: Jan 2010** 01-20-2010, 5:37 AM

I have not used starbrite but have used a product called "on off"(designed for boats) for the exact application you're talking about. With that product we didn't even need a pressure washer. Just a garden hose to wash it off. Hull looks brand new.

(jeff_mn) · (jeff_mn) **Join Date: Jul 2009** 01-20-2010, 5:54 AM

You'll want to use hull cleaner. Starbrite hull cleaner or toilet bowl cleaner - should come right off then.

(supradoug) · (supradoug) **Join Date: Dec 2001** 01-20-2010, 2:35 PM

starbrite works wonders.. my boat sat in a dock in red muddy water for 2 weeks. scrubbed and scrubbed wit hsoap and nothing. saw the starbrite at wallyworld for 6 bucks and tried it...WOW just wipe on with a sponge and wash off. Be sure to apply a coat of wax when your done.

(rourker) · (rourker) **Join Date: Jun 2006** 01-20-2010, 6:32 PM

FSR is unbelievable, too. (Fiberglass Stain Remover) Just know that it will strip any and all wax.

(supraride) · (supraride) **Join Date: Jun 2007** 01-20-2010, 8:20 PM

Like Dwight said the on/off product works great just make sure you wear gloves and do it outside.

(bill_airjunky) · (bill_airjunky) **Join Date: Apr 2002** 01-20-2010, 8:54 PM

Yea, any hull cleaner is toxic stuff. So wear rubber gloves & rinse everything off really good... your boat, your trailer, yourSELF.

(fogey) · (fogey) **Join Date: Mar 2002** 01-21-2010, 4:43 PM

THANKS for the GREAT advice on products and safety steps and waxing the hull afterward. I hadn't thought about that.

The hull already is out of the water, and I know how hard it can be to get clean. I'm going to get hull cleaner and give it a try. If that doesn't work, I'll have the pressure washer standing by.

(05elitevc4) · (05elitevc4) **Join Date: Jan 2008** 01-21-2010, 8:21 PM

Just a thought. Once its on the trailer you wont be able to clean the hull where it sits on the trailer bunks...you will have some cool green stripes though!

(nschimm) · (nschimm) **Join Date: Jun 2009** 01-22-2010, 3:32 AM

Toilet bowl cleaner does the trick. I used it on my boat when it was neglected for a few weeks.