Super User NorthernBasser Posted August 4, 2018 Super User Posted August 4, 2018 Hey guys. I was wondering if it's ok/safe to use the pressure washers they have at car washes to wash my boat (aluminum). My boat is new, but it gets very dirty from when I fish in the slop. I'd like to wash it off and then use some Star Brite or Bow to Stern on it. Thanks. Quote
Super User Further North Posted August 4, 2018 Super User Posted August 4, 2018 Should be. Watch it around any paint chips. 1 Quote
Krux5506 Posted August 4, 2018 Posted August 4, 2018 I'll say this as someone who works with metal for a living, not as a fisherman...aluminum can do weird things when subjected to something like that. As long as its low pressure I wouldnt worry too much about it but if theres some good PSI coming out of that thing then I'd avoid it. 2 Quote
Super User Further North Posted August 4, 2018 Super User Posted August 4, 2018 12 minutes ago, Krux5506 said: I'll say this as someone who works with metal for a living, not as a fisherman...aluminum can do weird things when subjected to something like that. As long as its low pressure I wouldnt worry too much about it but if theres some good PSI coming out of that thing then I'd avoid it. Good point. I always assume folks'll dial it back from max pressure. 1 Quote
Super User NorthernBasser Posted August 4, 2018 Author Super User Posted August 4, 2018 Ok, thanks guys. Maybe I'll just hold the nozzle far enough away just to play it safe and use a sponge to help get the heavier stuff off. With it being black I just wonder about it scratching. I'm sure eventually the scratches will come because I tend to fish and some junk, but since the boat is new...you know how it is. Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted August 4, 2018 Super User Posted August 4, 2018 That black hull can be a water spot magnet ! To help you clean her up - I recommend using this routinely. Works nicely on my own black hull aluminum rig. A-Jay 1 Quote
Krux5506 Posted August 4, 2018 Posted August 4, 2018 I feel your pain man I have a black Lund which is far less mint now than when I bought it! I wouldnt worry much about a sponge scratching it but eventually I swear anything and everything scratches it 1 Quote
Super User NorthernBasser Posted August 4, 2018 Author Super User Posted August 4, 2018 2 hours ago, A-Jay said: That black hull can be a water spot magnet ! To help you clean her up - I recommend using this routinely. Works nicely on my own black hull aluminum rig. A-Jay So far I've tried Bow to Stern as well as Slick Mist. Both do decent job IMO, but water spots are still visible after using both. I have heard this hot sauce is the real deal. Is it just mainly for water spots, or will it remove scum etc. as well? Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted August 5, 2018 Super User Posted August 5, 2018 2 hours ago, NorthernBasser said: So far I've tried Bow to Stern as well as Slick Mist. Both do decent job IMO, but water spots are still visible after using both. I have heard this hot sauce is the real deal. Is it just mainly for water spots, or will it remove scum etc. as well? This is a white vinegar based product (and if you get it you'll not doubt recognize the smell) which removes water spots and with routine use reduces them significantly. It does this without removing any wax that may have been applied previously. Can't say for sure if that's the case but it sure seems that way. Two more points of interest. One - don't know exactly what your version of 'scum' is - but it does clean off mine. And Two - past few cleanings, I've been mixing the Hot Sauce 3 to 1 with Lucas Oil Slick Mist wax. (Hot Sauce being the 3 and Slick Mist being the 1). It smells like Bazooka Bubblegum (much better) and seems to Really improve all other aspects of this whole deal. A-Jay 1 Quote
Super User NorthernBasser Posted August 5, 2018 Author Super User Posted August 5, 2018 1 hour ago, A-Jay said: This is a white vinegar based product (and if you get it you'll not doubt recognize the smell) which removes water spots and with routine use reduces them significantly. It does this without removing any wax that may have been applied previously. Can't say for sure if that's the case but it sure seems that way. Two more points of interest. One - don't know exactly what your version of 'scum' is - but it does clean off mine. And Two - past few cleanings, I've been mixing the Hot Sauce 3 to 1 with Lucas Oil Slick Mist wax. (Hot Sauce being the 3 and Slick Mist being the 1). It smells like Bazooka Bubblegum (much better) and seems to Really improve all other aspects of this whole deal. A-Jay I do dig the smell of Slick Mist. May spritz a bit on myself next time I take me lady out. How about the plastic windshield on your guys' boats. What do you use on that without scratching the plastic? 1 Quote
Joseph B. Posted August 5, 2018 Posted August 5, 2018 I use diluted Simple Green applied with Micro Fiber towels on my aluminum deep V. Use garden hose to rinse off and dry/wipe down with Micro Fiber towels. SG works great and removes the dirt, grime, bugs, etc without dulling the finish. Also use it on interior to clean carpet. Vinyl floor, seats, etc. It's non toxic and biodegradable, no harsh chemicals. My boat is a 1992 and still looks great. 1 Quote
Super User NorthernBasser Posted August 5, 2018 Author Super User Posted August 5, 2018 7 hours ago, A-Jay said: That black hull can be a water spot magnet ! To help you clean her up - I recommend using this routinely. Works nicely on my own black hull aluminum rig. A-Jay One more question. Can you use this on your plastic outboard cover as well? Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted August 5, 2018 Super User Posted August 5, 2018 3 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said: One more question. Can you use this on your plastic outboard cover as well? I use it on everything except the carpet, the seats and my graphs. A-Jay 16 minutes ago, NorthernBasser said: I do dig the smell of Slick Mist. May spritz a bit on myself next time I take me lady out. How about the plastic windshield on your guys' boats. What do you use on that without scratching the plastic? Turtle wax - Dash & Glass is a good Product for that. A-Jay 1 Quote
RenegadeBassin Posted August 5, 2018 Posted August 5, 2018 I have a basic electric pressure washer from home depot that I use on my boat. No idea what the psi is but I'm sure its on the lower end of the spectrum. Anyway, I put the water to her hard with that thing and my boat looks the same as the day I bought it. Its perfect for washing things off like my boat or my truck cause its not too powerful. Cheap too. 2 Quote
Krux5506 Posted August 5, 2018 Posted August 5, 2018 For water spots I use this stuff called Ducky's that I found at West Marine. Seems to do a great job but I think it will take wax off. 1 Quote
Super User gim Posted August 6, 2018 Super User Posted August 6, 2018 22 hours ago, A-Jay said: I use it on everything except the carpet, the seats and my graphs. I bought some of the Vinyl Sauce and that stuff works great on seats/chairs, similarly to the effectiveness that the hot sauce and toon sauce work on the hull. Quote
Super User TOXIC Posted August 6, 2018 Super User Posted August 6, 2018 On 8/4/2018 at 9:56 PM, Joseph B. said: I use diluted Simple Green applied with Micro Fiber towels on my aluminum deep V. Use garden hose to rinse off and dry/wipe down with Micro Fiber towels. SG works great and removes the dirt, grime, bugs, etc without dulling the finish. Also use it on interior to clean carpet. Vinyl floor, seats, etc. It's non toxic and biodegradable, no harsh chemicals. My boat is a 1992 and still looks great. I use simple green on some things but NEVER on my seats or vinyl parts. It's actually a product that Ranger specifically states not to use. Quote
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