another power washing thread

[boatguy19]

bought a 25' cruiser in july and there looks like there is about 4 or 5 coats of bottom paint on it, alot of it is chipping/peeling does anyone think i can get it or most of it off with a power washer.

i dont have the money for soda blasting and i sure as hell dont want to use paint stripper. i know i have to paint the bottom again as i keep it in a slip, i just need to get some of this paint off of there. thanks for anyones help in advance.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: another power washing thread

nope not likely but give it a try... just paint over whatever doesn't come off

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: another power washing thread

If you use a strong pressure washer 2500 psi and over and take your tine you will be able to get 80% or more of the paint off.Do it once and give it a week to dry out and try it again.Been there....done that...Charlie

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: another power washing thread

Below is me taking a 4500 psi/215? steam cleaner to the hull on our SkipperLiner. The ONLY place the bottom paint came off was where rust was starting - fortunately, there wasn't much rust, but I was amazed at how well that old paint stayed on. But on a glass hull you may have better luck. I found out the hard way that even tho the steam cleaner wouldn't remove my bottom paint, it did a fantastic job of blasting the factory paint off my Ford pickup...

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: another power washing thread

Unlikely the pressure washer will work, really depends on the prep when the paint was installed and type, but very rarely does pressure washing do anything. I restored my bottom back to look like new, I used a stiff paint scraper to remove the paint. Lots of elbow grease but it works. Try it on an angle where it is already peeling and see if you don't get good results. Just keep it flat to the hull as not to gouge the gelcoat underneath. Don't be afraid to push hard though. If it does start to come off, it will get easier as you go.

 

[Volphin]

Re: another power washing thread

I have bottom paint... bought it that way. It was great for when she stayed moored all summer in the lake. Now I want it gone. It built up calcium deposits I had to remove with muriatic acid. That was a nasty job needing gloves, goggles and a respirator.