I'll be trying it this weekend...
Pressure Washers and Macs
Let me know if it works good, and if the construction is solid.-
Sloop John B
- Captain
- Posts: 871
- Joined: Sat Jan 03, 2004 2:45 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Florida 'Big Bend'. 02x Yamaha T50
I didn't want to spend any money so I got one of those electric Campbells you see on the floor at Home Depot. Fortunately it blew before the warranty was up and I got another one. This sucker somehow made the warranty period before it blew.
Got a 5hp gas job at Sears. A little over $450.
I took all the gutters off the house because they were constantly clogged with pine needles and crap. The rain bounces down against the brick and leaves a green mildewy film. Great for blasting this stuff off, be careful of the mortar.
Real handy, as mentioned above, for cleaning the non-skid areas. I blasted the MacGregor decals off located on the top rear of the boat before I realized it. The nozzle clicks to and fro for soft (shooting soap) and hard (blasting brick), so keep that lubricated somehow or it can freeze up.
As mentioned above, good boat soap and a big soft brush (a fitting for my Perfect Pole boat hook) for getting the waterline cleaned.
Got a 5hp gas job at Sears. A little over $450.
I took all the gutters off the house because they were constantly clogged with pine needles and crap. The rain bounces down against the brick and leaves a green mildewy film. Great for blasting this stuff off, be careful of the mortar.
Real handy, as mentioned above, for cleaning the non-skid areas. I blasted the MacGregor decals off located on the top rear of the boat before I realized it. The nozzle clicks to and fro for soft (shooting soap) and hard (blasting brick), so keep that lubricated somehow or it can freeze up.
As mentioned above, good boat soap and a big soft brush (a fitting for my Perfect Pole boat hook) for getting the waterline cleaned.
Well, the $199 coleman that I posted a link to worked great. NIGHT and DAY difference...
I first sprayed some soapy water with the low pressure nozzle and siphon, then just went to town with the 15deg nozzle. It cleaned off everything except the dings and a few stains...
One word of caution...Don't let the high pressure hose get anywhere near the muffler, which is probably mounted in the worst spot (toward the pump and up high)... Yeah, I know, duh! But, its surprising how carried away you can get... Anyway, its not a big deal, since you can set it up so that its very unlikely...Just something to be a little extra careful of...
I first sprayed some soapy water with the low pressure nozzle and siphon, then just went to town with the 15deg nozzle. It cleaned off everything except the dings and a few stains...
One word of caution...Don't let the high pressure hose get anywhere near the muffler, which is probably mounted in the worst spot (toward the pump and up high)... Yeah, I know, duh! But, its surprising how carried away you can get... Anyway, its not a big deal, since you can set it up so that its very unlikely...Just something to be a little extra careful of...
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Jeff Ritsema
- First Officer
- Posts: 204
- Joined: Tue Sep 28, 2004 10:09 am
- Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
DLT,
How heavy is this unit? Something you can easily transport in the back of an SUV? Or is it something you would typically put in the garage and leave it there. My thought is to bring it to the boat and use it to clean it every 3-4 weeks with the standard brush cleaning in between. Also, any thoughts on the affect of power washers on the boat wax? The boat wax "experts" stress mildly washing the boat with soft brushes or even soft mitts. Does this contradict that? Appreciate your thoughts.
How heavy is this unit? Something you can easily transport in the back of an SUV? Or is it something you would typically put in the garage and leave it there. My thought is to bring it to the boat and use it to clean it every 3-4 weeks with the standard brush cleaning in between. Also, any thoughts on the affect of power washers on the boat wax? The boat wax "experts" stress mildly washing the boat with soft brushes or even soft mitts. Does this contradict that? Appreciate your thoughts.
I don't know. Its a Coleman unit. The only thing I can guess is that it has a no name engine. Many of the others will have a Honda or B&S...
The one thing I really looked for and found on this unit is a fuel shut-off. On things that you don't use very often, a fuel shut-off is a really good thing to have. It allows you to run the carb dry to avoid having bad gas sit there and gum it up... Of course, you can always just run the tank out, but, turning the fuel shut-off valve is quicker...
The one thing I really looked for and found on this unit is a fuel shut-off. On things that you don't use very often, a fuel shut-off is a really good thing to have. It allows you to run the carb dry to avoid having bad gas sit there and gum it up... Of course, you can always just run the tank out, but, turning the fuel shut-off valve is quicker...
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Steve
- Engineer
- Posts: 186
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:33 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: '99 X, "The Doghouse", Nashville, Tennessee
- Contact:
hey DLT...
I noticed there was a place for a coupon code when ordering the pressure washer you recommended. Would you happen to have one or know where to find one?
Shipping on that puppy is about $55, that brings the cost closer to one I've found at Sears. Decisions, decisions...
Have you used it anymore DLT? Still liking it?
I noticed there was a place for a coupon code when ordering the pressure washer you recommended. Would you happen to have one or know where to find one?
Shipping on that puppy is about $55, that brings the cost closer to one I've found at Sears. Decisions, decisions...
Have you used it anymore DLT? Still liking it?