cutting foam with a pressure washer

Bobcat

Founding Member
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
 
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.
 
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:
 
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:
 
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
 

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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
 

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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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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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....
 
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:
 
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:
 

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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:
 
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