PDA

View Full Version : cutting foam with a pressure washer



Bobcat
04-11-2009, 10:44 AM
just found an old wellcraft owners forum, and the guy on there used a pressure washer to cut the foam from around the fuel tank , anyone ever try this? I have an 3200 psi pressure washer, I might try it today

phragle
04-11-2009, 11:00 AM
only worry would be that much pressure...causing water intrusion on a stringer...

Trim'd Up
04-11-2009, 11:24 AM
Just go get a cheap electric chainsaw. It works great and you won't hurt the glass unless your REALLY trying to. I bought mine for 39 bucks at home depot.

Bobcat
04-12-2009, 07:56 AM
only worry would be that much pressure...causing water intrusion on a stringer...

they are already soaked in gas:ack2:



Just go get a cheap electric chainsaw. It works great and you won't hurt the glass unless your REALLY trying to. I bought mine for 39 bucks at home depot.

a chainsaw is your answer to everything:sifone:

Ratickle
04-12-2009, 08:06 AM
Just do it. High pressure water is used to cut all kinds of stuff now. All the way up to steel, in ground gas tanks, concrete etc. At one of the companies I ran, all of the fiberglass insulation board is cut by 40,000 psi water jets. Does a real nice job. We could hold + .010.

The foam in your boat is closed cell, therefore it, in theory, cannot absorb water and you will not cause any issues with the foam left in. You can buy closed cell foam kits to reinstall it, they are a little expensive for what it seems you get, but all insulating foam you purchase at a hardware store is not closed cell foam and should not be used in a boat.

That small amount of pressure won't hurt anything else it touches unless you hold it stationary for an extended period. Even the waves will make a rock round given enough time. I would just make sure you have it set at the minimum amount of water you're washer will allow without overheating the pump.

Heck, 3200psi you could take a shower with.....:sifone:

Trim'd Up
04-12-2009, 11:38 AM
IT just seems like it would be a freakin' mess to blow all of the wet foam all over the place. Better wear a rainsuit. Bob, don't be afraid of the chainsaw. I am getting ready to surface my heads with it next. :26:

Bobcat
04-12-2009, 02:32 PM
it is done , 10 minutes with the pressure washer (3750 psi) and the tank popped right out ,shop vac and I am ready for a new tank, some holes in the old one , here are some pics

Bobcat
04-12-2009, 02:34 PM
there was sh i t everywhere, my buddy wore a scuba mask ,the whole boat was covered in foam bits but it hosed right out , and wallah ! clean bilge

Bobcat
04-12-2009, 02:35 PM
my camera was in the cooler so the first pic is cloudy

MOBILEMERCMAN
04-12-2009, 05:27 PM
Bobcat, may I make a suggestion?

It would be good to add a drain pipe through the tank cell area. Glass the pvc pipe in place and seal each end to keep bilge water out and allow forward areas to drain.

Buoy
04-12-2009, 05:28 PM
Bobcat, may I make a suggestion?

It would be good to add a drain pipe through the tank cell area. Glass the pvc pipe in place and seal each end to keep bilge water out and allow forward areas to drain.

Good Call!
Now is the time to do it.

Ratickle
04-12-2009, 06:28 PM
Nice job. Now, did you find a replacement tank?

MarylandMark
04-12-2009, 06:49 PM
I have an 3200 psi pressure washer, I might try it today

Who the hell in their right mind sold that to you?? Way too much power for a man of your mental capacity

:26:

Ratickle
04-12-2009, 07:08 PM
Who the hell in their right mind sold that to you?? Way too much power for a man of your mental capacity

:26:

:rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl:

Bobcat
04-12-2009, 10:49 PM
Bobcat, may I make a suggestion?

It would be good to add a drain pipe through the tank cell area. Glass the pvc pipe in place and seal each end to keep bilge water out and allow forward areas to drain.

there was one there already, just needs cleaning up


Good Call!
Now is the time to do it.
suck up


Nice job. Now, did you find a replacement tank?
waiting on a quote from the oem

Who the hell in their right mind sold that to you?? Way too much power for a man of your mental capacity


just a click of a button and dolphin pics for all :26::26:

:26:


:rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl::rofl:

suck up#2

Tony
04-14-2009, 06:12 PM
The foam in your boat is closed cell, therefore it, in theory, cannot absorb water and you will not cause any issues with the foam left in. You can buy closed cell foam kits to reinstall it, they are a little expensive for what it seems you get, but all insulating foam you purchase at a hardware store is not closed cell foam and should not be used in a boat.

:

Go to any of the Whaler forums and ask about closed cell foam and water. ;)

Theres a guy up in Marathon who builds aluminum tanks to your specs, for the life of me I cant remember his name, Im thinking the shop was somewhere near the Stuffed Pig.

Ratickle
04-14-2009, 06:30 PM
Go to any of the Whaler forums and ask about closed cell foam and water. ;)

Theres a guy up in Marathon who builds aluminum tanks to your specs, for the life of me I cant remember his name, Im thinking the shop was somewhere near the Stuffed Pig.

That's why I said, "in theory".......


It is definitely better though....

Bobcat
04-14-2009, 10:37 PM
Go to any of the Whaler forums and ask about closed cell foam and water. ;)

Theres a guy up in Marathon who builds aluminum tanks to your specs, for the life of me I cant remember his name, Im thinking the shop was somewhere near the Stuffed Pig.

cool , will look ,would much rather buy local


That's why I said, "in theory".......


It is definitely better though....

ppppppppfffffffffffffffftttttttttttt!:sifone:

Bobcat
05-10-2009, 01:36 PM
tank back in but the fuel fill line is cracked,going to install a new one on tuesday and go boating instead of working !!!!!!!! the last pic is of a key west woodpecker,that little bastage worked on the aluminum part of that light for 20 minutes,I was hungover and it was going right through my brain!:sifone:

Ratickle
05-10-2009, 01:52 PM
tank back in but the fuel fill line is cracked,going to install a new one on tuesday and go boating instead of working !!!!!!!! the last pic is of a key west woodpecker,that little bastage worked on the aluminum part of that light for 20 minutes,I was hungover and it was going right through my brain!:sifone:

He must of been drunk to not figure out it was aluminum instead of wood.

Typical Key Wester......:sifone:

Bobcat
05-10-2009, 03:54 PM
:sifone:

MarylandMark
05-10-2009, 06:04 PM
it was going right through my brain!

That sounds like an easy task

Bobcat
05-10-2009, 07:12 PM
That sounds like an easy task

:sifone:

Tony
05-13-2009, 11:31 AM
If there is a ball and spring style check valve on the pickup in the tank, throw it in the trash now.

Bobcat
05-14-2009, 06:23 AM
If there is a ball and spring style check valve on the pickup in the tank, throw it in the trash now.

now I gotta go back and look !:sifone:

Bobcat
06-13-2009, 07:39 PM
:seeya:

fund razor
06-24-2009, 02:30 PM
So Bob, where did you get the tank?

Bobcat
06-25-2009, 09:21 AM
damn I just deleted the e mail , R huddlesons out of Perry Fla. they were original wellcraft suppliers, 613 dollars with shipping.

fund razor
06-25-2009, 09:42 AM
RDS is in Perry Florida.

Bobcat
06-26-2009, 01:17 PM
linda wiley was the woman's name, rds aluminum

fund razor
07-07-2009, 12:39 PM
I have asked RDS for a quote. Thanks.

fund razor
07-07-2009, 12:39 PM
Hey Bob, what did you use for new foam?

glassdave
07-07-2009, 12:49 PM
Hey Bob, what did you use for new foam?

you can get foam reasonably from uscomposites.com three or four pound works well. I just did the tanks in a Skater with three and it was perfect.

http://uscomposites.com/foam.html

fund razor
07-07-2009, 01:19 PM
Thanks Dave!

Bobcat
07-07-2009, 04:08 PM
Hey Bob, what did you use for new foam?

I will take that secret to the grave rather than face scrutiny on here :sifone:

glassdave
07-07-2009, 05:06 PM
I will take that secret to the grave rather than face scrutiny on here :sifone:

you used a few dozen cans of Great Stuff didnt ya . . . . :sifone:

Ratickle
07-07-2009, 05:16 PM
you used a few dozen cans of Great Stuff didnt ya . . . . :sifone:

You can't. That's not closed cell......:ack2:

Buoy
07-07-2009, 05:39 PM
you used a few dozen cans of Great Stuff didnt ya . . . . :sifone:

is that a bad thing??:confused:

:sifone:

Bobcat
07-07-2009, 06:15 PM
anyone see the history channel over the weekend, damn good . I learned a lot about ..........................

Bobcat
07-07-2009, 06:15 PM
you used a few dozen cans of Great Stuff didnt ya . . . . :sifone:

see above post:sifone:

fund razor
07-07-2009, 06:51 PM
Ummm.... question withdrawn? :D