Advice for Pressure Washing Companies Cleaning Marina Docks

So you are in the pressure washer business and you want to clean the local docks at the Marina. Good plan, let us give you a little advice on this. First you have to sell the account. Explain to the marina manager or the dock master or municipal purchasing agent that their clientele and/or citizens will be very impressed to see that this normally much neglected area of the marina and/or pier is being taken care of and cleaned. It's going to make it much more presentable. The clientele will be happier, therefore will be more likely to keep their moorage in storage there and be happy-paying customers for long into the future. Explain to the dock master or marina manager also that it can be a safety issue. The cleaner and less slippery their docks are the better and safer it's going to be for their clientele. This is also a good selling point. This is an easier sell to government agencies since everyone wants to stay away from lawsuits.

When doing areas that are consistently shaded, or in dark recessed areas, make sure that you remove the excess water to avoid the growth of algae. If you are doing anything inside a building that's over water or anything similar to this, make sure that you remove as much water as possible. You may also want to, in certain situations where their docks warrant it, use a staining product to re-stain the docks to keep them up since a lot of them get weathered and they are consistently exposed to sunlight and harsh salt air and water. For the best products on wood we recommend Lifeguard Water Proofing Products which are guaranteed for five to seven years depending on which grade you buy. You can purchase them at Eagle Hardware, in Canada at Depots.

Other products we recommend are Behr Products, which are the second best and can be found at Home Depots around the country. If they ask you for a wet look go buy a product called Sikkens and this is also available at Home Depot.

If you do any re-staining on decking, be extremely careful not to let the stain material drop into the water as it can sometimes drift and attach itself onto the gel coat of other boats right at their water line. Although it can create some work for you, there will be some unhappy boaters and they will know directly who to go to if you do not work carefully. So, just be cautious, since most stains are lighter than water and they float until they wash up against something, such as a boat hull.

Wood Discoloration Factors and Procedures for Dock Cleaning

There are many types of stains, which can get on a dock at the Marina, if you do not have a pressure washer or steam cleaner and you need to clean these stains you may wish to know how to clean them without expensive equipment. If you have the proper equipment but a stubborn stain, you might want to use these procedures to increase your success.

Algae: Use a diluted bleach* solution (4:1). Saturate algae growth and allow to sit five to ten minutes. Scrub and rinse well.

Extractive/Tannin Bleed: Use a four to five percent solution of oxalic acid. Allow solution to remain on spot until the darkness disappears, then rinse well with water.

Grease: Use a strong household detergent in warm water and agitate with a brush. Automotive degreaser has also shown to be effective when used according to directions.

Mildew: Use a diluted bleach* solution and scrub.

Mill Stamps: There are no solvents available to remove these stamps. Sanding is the most effective means. They will also fade with time.

Leaf Stains: Use a diluted bleach* solution and scrub.

Pitch/Rosin: Scrape the excess material from wood using a putty knife or steel wool and clean the area with hot, soapy water. Turpentine is effective in removing pitch, which is still sappy.

Rosin from surrounding trees: Wipe area with a wet cloth with turpentine.

*Sometimes when cleaning wood with a stain, especially with bleach, the natural color of the wood may disappear. Check with your distributor/supplier for products than can be used to ensure uniformity and restore the wood to its natural color.

Wolmans, Behr, Sikkens, Lifeguard and others have company websites with all this type of information and more. You would be wise to understand these procedures to insure a perfect job. Do it right, do it efficient. Think about it.

"Lance Winslow" - If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs

---

How To Save Money On Cruises

1. If you're 55 or older, you can get senior citizen discounts.2. If you belong to American Automobile Association or American Association Of Retired Persons, you can... Read More

Affordable Weekend Getaways? Romantic Cruises!

If you are looking for affordable weekend getaways, romantic cruises may just be the answer. Unless you are living in the middle of a desert, there will... Read More

Entertainment At Sea

"All the world's a stage", the saying goes! And on your cruise - the ship is the stage for a world of colorful entertainment and night-time enjoyment!... Read More

The Skipper on a Charter Yacht

The skipper is the heart of every floating vessel on earth. His word is (or should be) law to everybody on board. Yet, on a pleasant sailing... Read More

Online Shopping for Cruise Deals, Travel Deals & Great Vacation Packages!

Are you contemplating a travel vacation and don't know how to get the best deal? Online shopping for cruise deals, travel deals and vacation packages should be... Read More

New Zealand Cruise Expert Guide

New Zealand is a country guaranteed to surprise. Emerald green landscapes and towering mountains mingle with spectacular fjords and icy glaciers in a land that is only... Read More

Sailing Itineraries

SAILING ITINERARIES IN GREECE - A PROPOSAL Bellow you may find some itinerary suggestions for your sailing holidays in Greece. These routes are just a proposal your... Read More

How to Choose Alaskan Cruise-Tours with Princess Cruise Lines Vacation Packages

Are you planning to take a cruise- tour vacation to Alaska? Princess Cruise Lines has arguably the best Alaskan cruise-tour vacation packages available. Princess has their own... Read More

What To Expect - My 1st Cruise Experience

Some years ago my wife and I decided to take a cruise. We headed for Southampton to join our cruise ship, weighed down with luggage. (Why do... Read More

Wanted! Adventurous Guests Looking For a New Experience on a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Wanted! Adventurous guests looking for a new experience on a Royal Caribbean Cruise! Royal Caribbean Cruise line is known to be a leading, innovative cruise vacation company... Read More

Australia Cruise Expert Guide

Australia is a country of amazing diversity and awe- inspiring beauty. From grand cities to ancient coral reefs, there is no end of star attractions in the... Read More

Mexico: Going Native

If you want to expatriate to Mexico to find an affordable cost of living then there is one thing you must do--Go Native!Now, this is not as... Read More

Summertime And Boats... And Boat Insurance

Early summertime is the time of year, when boat owners start getting back on the water. I am speaking about pleasure boaters, those who use their boats... Read More

Alaska - Easy Cruise Guide

WHAT TO SEE: Legendary beautiful scenery of Alaska- magnificent coastal fjords, rugged glaciers, vast evergreen forests, sky-high mountains, 7 of which are the tallest peaks in North... Read More

Silversea Cruises! Committed To Elegance, Luxury, And Gracious Hospitality

Committed to elegance, luxury and gracious hospitality, Silversea Cruises is the "Ultra Plus" in the elite cruise domain. Their promise is to always go above and beyond.... Read More

Marina Dock Cleaning Equipment

Docks needs to be routinely pressure washed or they become slippery and ugly from black algae and small spills. Often they have spilt oil, fish guts, beer,... Read More

Amazon Cruise Expert Guide

An Amazon cruise is the ultimate jungle adventure. From the endless green carpet of tree tops that make up the rainforest to the exotic wildlife that inhabits... Read More

First Time Cruisers

If you are a first time cruiser you are in for a treat! Cruising can be a great experience provided you are aware of certain things and... Read More

Hawaii Cruise Expert Guide

Experiencing a Hawaii cruise is a dream come true for many people around the world. Very few travel adventures can live up to the thrill of sailing... Read More

Western Caribbean Cruise

We were on the Radiance of the Seas for the western Caribbean cruise on November 28/04. This was our second cruise with Royal Caribbean with our first... Read More

Exploring the Exotic - Antarctica Cruise

Antarctica is one of the great unexplored areas of the world. It wasn't until the last fifty years that there has been any appreciable exploration or study... Read More

The Best European Cruise Travel Vacation!

So, you are contemplating a European cruise. You are looking for the cruise to be a luxury travel vacation. Europe tours must be part of the vacation... Read More

Keep Cruising and Keep Traveling - It is Safe

In the time that has followed since the tragic events of September 11, we have seen numerous changes happening to us all.These changes began with shock, disbelief... Read More

Caribbean Cruise: An Enchanting Experience

A Caribbean cruise is the world's most popular cruise. The Caribbean islands are a dream destination and the journey is equally out of the world. The island... Read More

Robotic Boat Cleaning is Here, Soon it will be Affordable

Robotic Underwater ship cleaning robotic unit, the M3500 Robotic System robot, is UltraStrip's robotic systems have recently completed a number of hull-cleaning operations for the U.S. Navy... Read More

Crossing Paths With a Legend

When 13-year-old Bill Lefakinis first visited the famed yacht Christina O in 1959 on the Hudson River in New York City, little did he realize that a... Read More