Showerthought: The old way of doing a 30 foot hull clean is just wrong now.

Last week in San Diego, I watched a new guy spend 4 hours on a simple hull clean that should have taken 90 minutes. He was using the old school brush and scrape method we all learned. Three years ago, I would have said he was doing it right, but after switching to a high flow water jet system, I can't go back. It cuts the time in half and leaves a better finish. Anyone else made the switch and seen the same jump in jobs per day?

4 comments

4 Comments

reesel593mo ago

Honestly that new water jet stuff seems like a hassle waiting to happen. Tbh all that extra gear and high pressure just means more things to break down on the job. The old brush method is simple and you know it works every single time. Ngl I've seen guys try the fancy systems and then waste more time fixing them than they ever saved. Sometimes the slow way is the right way because it's reliable.

jakewhite3mo ago

True, @reesel59, but a backup brush kit saves the day when that high-pressure gear inevitably fails.

drew_hart43mo ago

You said the old brush method works every single time... but that's not really true either. I've had brushes wear down to nothing halfway through a big job, or the handle snaps if you lean into it wrong. Every tool has its weak spot.

charles6401mo ago

Drew_hart4 makes a good point about brushes having their own problems. The water jet gear does need more care, but once you get the hang of it, the time saved is real. It's not about one tool being perfect, it's about which one lets you finish the job faster without wearing yourself out. Maybe it's just me, but learning the new system was worth the initial hassle.