Sprayer for cleaning pontoons

CharlesW

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 8, 2003
Messages
335
This fall, I will be cleaning several years accumulation of freshwater gunk from the pontoons of the old boat I bought.<br />Zing brand pontoon cleaner has been recommended to me and I have purchased a gallon. For application, they gave me a fluffy swab on a plastic handle. My question is, will a cheap garden sprayer work long enough to spray down the 20' x 20" pontoons? For $10 or so, it would be worth it. <br />Any better suggestions?<br /><br />Charles :confused:
 

CharlesW

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 8, 2003
Messages
335
Re: Sprayer for cleaning pontoons

Lakeman:<br />Will the pressure washer remove the hardened "growth" on the pontoons without the use of an acid bath? I was told that the only way to clean them up was with an acid based cleaner. If the pressure washer will do it, this just might be the time to buy one.<br /><br />Charles
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Sprayer for cleaning pontoons

charles<br /><br />If you are talking about making them look like new, then yes, the best way to do that is with an acid based cleaner. If you're talking about actual Marine growth stuck to the logs, then power wash them first. I use allumibrite coil cleaner, available from heating and A/C supply houses for $10.00 a gallon. Spray it on with a plastic pump up garden sprayer and hose it off. Done in 1/2 hour. Then I wax them with meguirers car wax. Lasts a season anyway.
 

CharlesW

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 8, 2003
Messages
335
Re: Sprayer for cleaning pontoons

Rick:<br />So, If I am understanding you correctly, I would: <br />1. Pressure wash the pontoons<br />2. Spray on the coil cleaner<br />3. Hose off the coil cleaner with water using a regular garden hose<br /><br />If those assumptions are correct, then the following questions come to mind.<br />1a. Will a cheap ($100 range) pressure washer do the job?<br />2a. Will the Zing brand pontoon cleaner work or do I buy the Alumibrite and just give the Zing away?<br /><br />The end result I'm after is pretty much just getting them cleaned up and the crust off of them. <br />Charles
 

ob

Admiral
Joined
Aug 16, 2002
Messages
6,992
Re: Sprayer for cleaning pontoons

CharlesW,Go to a local tool rental place(Home Depot etc.) and rent yourself one of their pressure washers.About $30 per day.
 

lakeman1999

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 20, 2003
Messages
550
Re: Sprayer for cleaning pontoons

I live at the lake, and my pontoon stays in the water at my dock the year round (since July of 1995). I pull it out every so often, to pressure wash the bottom, and on occaision to visit another lake, although my new Carolina Skiff (replacing my cramped for space fishing boat) has nearly as much room in it as the pontoon, I probably will not use my pontoon for fishing trips anymore.<br />If you get a good pressure washer, it will do the job, and no sense in using the expensive cleaners, as the logs will start dirtying up again immediatly. You have to hold the tip of the pressure washer close (within inches) of the surface (with my washer at least). <br />I would borrow, or rent one the first time, to see if I was satisfied with the results (I am). My pressure washer, is a 1750 PSI washer, and I wish I had gotten a stronger one, I would not get a weaker one than the 1750 that I have, and reccomend that you go stronger. Or purchase one at Lowes, or home depot where they gaurantee satifaction, use it briefly, and take it back for a refund if it will not do the job. :D :D :D
 

jpbaker

Seaman
Joined
Aug 18, 2003
Messages
63
Re: Sprayer for cleaning pontoons

Alumibrite and a good Scotchbrite pad, (and a little elbow grease) and she looks good as new. :D :D . Bought a pontoon this year it's a '96', probably hasn't had the toons cleaned since new, they had a slip and they only took it out for the winter. Tried my pressure washer<br />(2000 psi) was just taking to long, Alumibrite and a little (and I mean a little) effort and all that crap came right off. ;) This will be a part of my yearly winterization, it's just to easy to skip :D :D . Don't mean to sound like a sales man, but I'am sold. "That's my opinion, but I could be wrong".
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Sprayer for cleaning pontoons

Amen jpbaker! Nothing I ever used worked so well and was so easy. This stuff at the link below keeps them looking like new. Oh Yeah, WEAR RUBBER GLOVES!! Alumibrite will eat the skin right off your hands<br /><br /> www.sharkhide.com
 
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