Is it OK to use a Power Washer on the Escape?

[rbryan4]

Originally Posted by RB Donath

Is it OK to use 303 on new Gelcoat? Thinking on applying when we PU our new 19’ next month for the trip home.

They put it on new boats.

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

I would not apply anything to a new unit, I think it may still be curing. Water would be it for me until at least 6 months.

While the chemicals in the gelcoat are still dissipating for a few months after it's unmolded, 303 won't hurt it at all. It's not like a solvent based product or wax.

[Little Richie]

I have a 5.0 and I use a power washer, but...

I do not have any decals;

Use it with a wand with a dispersed spray;

Do not use it to try to “blast” the dirt or bugs off ; and

Keep an appropriate distance.

It is very convient when rinsing off surface dirt and mud. I find, however that there is no substitute for soap and a soft brush. It does a good job at ringing off the soap and overall seems to use less water.

[jjrint]

Not sure I understand the process. Do you clean with a different 303 product then apply up protection. Is it a wipe on and it’s done or do you have to buff after application?

[Steve Clark]

Originally Posted by jjrint

Not sure I understand the process. Do you clean with a different 303 product then apply up protection. Is it a wipe on and it’s done or do you have to buff after application?

We use marine wax on the fiberglass, jjrint, and 303 on all the plastic parts. Those who use 303 as a protectant on the fiberglass, first wash the entire trailer with a good car wash, towel dry, then apply the 303. It goes on very easy, similar to Windex on a window. Spray on, then wipe. Leaves a nice clean matte finish, not as shiny as wax. No buffing.

[bonitaraders]

I always went to the carwash with my Casita and scrubbed with the brush and used their hoses but did not use pressure water on the windows or any other seals and the finish on my Casita, after 4 years of doing this, still looked great when I sold it. I am doing the same on my Escape. Wet it, scrub with brush and rinse with the soft rinse around windows.

[Moaboy]

I think it depends on the psi and nozzle of the power washer. My experience is that pressure warshes at commercial car washes are safe when used with some common sense.
Tread lightly around windows etc and don’t put the nozzle real very close to the exterior.
The Escape fiberglass is no more or less problematic as a car exterior finish.
I asked Reace when I first got my Escape and he said a power washer is fine if it is one intended to wash vehicles.

[Yukon Escape]

I use a soft brush, hot water. And dish soap, on our 19 ft. Trailer.
Then rinse the trailer off with hose and cold water.
Takes about an hour.
Doug

[cpaharley2008]

Depending on Escape model, some of the exterior shower hookups can provide coverage for the front and rear windows as well as the dreaded bug catcher front on the E21. I'm having two exterior showers installed on "DeJa View" for that reason, driver side by the front exterior hatch and passenger side amidships. Warm water removes bug and road grime easier....

[Tford]

Wet it down and use dryer sheets, they soften that bug and wipe it away....

[John in Santa Cruz]

Originally Posted by Yukon Escape

I use a soft brush, hot water. And dish soap, on our 19 ft. Trailer.
Then rinse the trailer off with hose and cold water.
Takes about an hour.
Doug

dish soap will strip off most waxes, much better to use a car wash soap like Meguiars Wash.