Really Dirty Hull Already Tried Pressure Washing

Ralph vaughn

Member
Nov 14, 2018
259
Atlanta Ga
Boat Info
2007 Sea Ray 290 radar & GPS, triple axle trailer. 2006 Sea Ray 280 radar & GPS & triple axle tlr
Engines
5.0 MPI closed cooling Sea Core engines & Bravo III outdrives
4.3 MPI with alpha outdrives
I just bought my 2008 Sea Ray 290 (February 2019). The hull is really dirty. I tried pressure washing but there is still a lot of black grime on the light blue hull paint. Any suggestions on how i can get the remaining grime off the hull.

thanks in advance

Ralph
 
Golfman hit it on the head.
You’re going to have to experiment with different cleaners to see what will loosen and remove the dirt.
Follow up with machine compound and machine polish.
Get all the dirt off first so you don’t foul your pads.
 
You sure it’s paint? If it’s gelcoat, try toilet bowl cleaner straight from the bottle. The blue thick stuff. Let it sit on the hull for a few minutes, then brush it around with a brush on pole. Don’t get it on your skin or in your eyes. Then rinse. Repeat if necessary.
 
I used totally awesome cleaner to get the black off my white hull. Scotchbrite pad was needed for anti skid and around deck hardware. I also used it as the soap concentrate in the pressure washer first.
 
I used totally awesome cleaner to get the black off my white hull. Scotchbrite pad was needed for anti skid and around deck hardware. I also used it as the soap concentrate in the pressure washer first.

That’s good stuff, and very inexpensive.
 
Can you post a photo? Are we talking about grime on the bottom paint?
 
If you post a picture we can see what your dealing with
 
Mary Kate on and off. It’s very strong and works well.

follow the directions!
 
That’s good stuff, and very inexpensive.

I bought the big bottle at Home Depot, cheaper than pressure washer concentrated soap. I was surprised it actually foamed up, as I've previously only used it in buckets of water. My oldest climbed up on the cuddy, and youngest washed the sides. Still need to deal with the oxidation. I removed the vinyl graphics so where they covered the gelcoat is extremely noticeable. Not a high priority for me right now.

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I bought the big bottle at Home Depot, cheaper than pressure washer concentrated soap. I was surprised it actually foamed up, as I've previously only used it in buckets of water. My oldest climbed up on the cuddy, and youngest washed the sides. Still need to deal with the oxidation. I removed the vinyl graphics so where they covered the gelcoat is extremely noticeable. Not a high priority for me right now.

View attachment 85467

I’ve found myself using it for more and more stuff. It’s a great concentrated cleaner and pretty cheap. I mix it with water in a spray bottle and use it as an all purpose cleaner on the boat vinyl seats, dirt spots on car interiors, cleaning brake dust on car wheels, inner wheel wells, rubber mats, etc.
Spray on, agitate and rinse.
Like with any cleaning product, boat vinyl seats or anything else that needs protectant should have it applied immediately after cleaning.
 
Attached are pictures of my hull. The first picture is the side that I still need to pressure wash. The other two pictures the hull has been pressure washed but there’s still a lot of dirt left. Any suggestions would be appreciated

thanks in advance.
Ralph
 

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You're talking about the bottom paint. By pressure washing it you essentially stripping it. Keep going on the undone side and then prep and repaint.
 
Attached are pictures of my hull. The first picture is the side that I still need to pressure wash. The other two pictures the hull has been pressure washed but there’s still a lot of dirt left. Any suggestions would be appreciated

thanks in advance.
Ralph

After you get finished power washing the bottom, put on a mask & goggles, get some 150 grit sandpaper and go over the old bottom paint just enough to smooth it out.
It’s a really dirty job and a couple of hours of your time but it will be worth the effort when it comes time to bottom paint.
Rather than using a regular roller for bottom paint, I like to use one of those 6” really low nap for smooth surface rollers. The lowest ones Home Depot sells.
I find it makes for a smoother finish, less splatter all over me, and uses a lot less bottom paint.
Example: I bought 2 gallons of bottom paint in March of 2019. Preparing for last season I used it to paint one coat on my 410, 2 coats on my Uncle’s 22’ Eastern (After having it blasted and then barrier coating it), 1 coat on my son’s 18’ Maxum and had enough left over to paint my 410 again this year.
if you are lucky enough to be able to pressure wash your own bottom when you come out of the water at the end of the season, spend a little extra time on it immediately after it comes out getting off every bit of growth you can before it dries on there and you’ll have a much easier job of prepping the bottom next spring.
My boat goes to a boatyard for the winter, so I don’t have the option of washing my own bottom as soon as it’s lifted out of the water. They do a decent job, but can‘t afford to spend the time I would spend doing it.
 
Ok now I have a better idea of what you are asking.

We just power washed a 34'. First was wash with about 4000psi using a roto tip. Then use a Scotts green pad and wash again at about 3500 psi. We also apply Greenworks and liquid soup and wash again.

Tape and repaint
 
Tomato, if it can take the stink out of a skunk it can remove water scum
 

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