Can Pressure Washer do damage?

[Solittle]

I have a 23' CC with ratty 20 year old anti fowling paint on the bottom. A friend has offered to let me use his 3,500 PSI pressure cleaner to blow the old paint off and do some other stuff around the house. Do I have any concerns about damaging the gel coat with pressure this high? I know they can be dangerous as I have used pressure cleaners in the 2,000-2,500 range and they can blow holes in wood if not used properly but I have no experience with 3,500 PSI.

 

[mike176]

Re: Can Pressure Washer do damage?

I have used a 2,000 psi power washer on gelcoat and it worked fine, but i would be careful if there are any chips or cracks in the gelcoat because if it hits a weak point like that it could start working the gelcoat off.

 

[tjl76evinrude]

Re: Can Pressure Washer do damage?

i tried to use the pressure washer on my old skanky anti-fouling paint and it didnt budge it. it was a decent pressure washer too. i ended up having to sand it off with a DA sander.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Can Pressure Washer do damage?

Has anyone worked with 3,500 PSI?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Can Pressure Washer do damage?

If the paint has any chips in it the pressure washer will work well by hitting these spots on an angle and working in uniform lines.You will want to keep away from any striping/tape,bellows,thru hulls,transducers etc.Keep to using the washer under the boat.When you are done ,let it dry out for a week and blast it again.A lot more will come off.I do it in the fall and then wait until the spring to do it again.More seems to come off the second time you hit it.Just use common sense when using the stronger washer.Charlie

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Can Pressure Washer do damage?

I have a 23' CC with ratty 20 year old anti fowling paint

Please tell me if your paint kept the ducks and chickens away

 

[erie_guy]

Re: Can Pressure Washer do damage?

I used a rental 3000 psi gasoline driven one a couple years ago to remove 9+ years of bottom paint. The boat was a 30' SportCraft and the whole job took a full days work - as it was on the trailer.

Crawling under was a pain and yes, the cracks in the gelcoat blew off revealing the under fiberglass. It was simple to repair the bottom with epoxy and apply the proper barrier coats of paint and a fresh layer of antifouling (ablative paint).

These high pressure units can be quite hazardous - especially if the shorter wand length is used with the nozzle to get under the hull.

You should get a good job with the 3,500 psi unit, assuming the bottom is not full of stress cracks in the gelcoat. And make sure you dry the bottom well (several weeks) before you repair and repaint the bottom.

erie_guy
Port Clinton, OH

 

[Waffle]

Re: Can Pressure Washer do damage?

We offer pressure washing in our business. First and foremost, WEAR SAFETY GLASSES.

With 3500 psi, try using the wand as far away from the surface that it is still effective. They also make different tips to adjust the pressure at the end of the wand.

 

[pgdignan]

Re: Can Pressure Washer do damage?

I've used a rented 5,000 psi washer, most important would be the angle nozzle you choose to employ, maybe something around 10 degrees or better.