Bilge cleaner - whats the best one?

[crazy4557]

My bilges in the engine bay are filthy and one of my winter jobs is to clean them out and also paint the engines (MOBO)

So, years of grease, belt dust and general grime has got worked into the bilges and what was white is almost black

What cleaner or degreasers work best on fibreglass and get the white back?

Any tips appreciated.

 

[sailorman]

washing machine powder in very hot water & A stiff brush

My bilges in the engine bay are filthy and one of my winter jobs is to clean them out and also paint the engines (MOBO)

So, years of grease, belt dust and general grime has got worked into the bilges and what was white is almost black

What cleaner or degreasers work best on fibreglass and get the white back?

Any tips appreciated.

 

[RichardTaylor]

Virosol (search ebay) diluted 1 part to 9 water (strengthen to 1 part to 4 water if necessary) - a cheap and brilliant degreaser and cleaner. Also is an excellent alloy-wheel, bathroom and kitchen cleaner.

 

[sarabande]

if solvents and strong detergents give you pause for thought about disposal into our already damaged environment, then have a look at www.oiltechnics.com and a word with their support department.

They produce a range of biologically active liquids which eat away at degradable material such as grease and rubber. Used by very famous and in-the-public-eye organisations.


(No affiliation BTW. Just a very satisfied customer.)

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Fairy Liquid (washing up) and hot water; it is an excellent degreaser, as good as the industrial varieties.

 

[dylanwinter]

strong washing gunge designed for dirty overalls

available at a tescos near you

D

 

[Halo]

Best thing is to keep putting a biological washing powder solution in the bilge and pump it out every visit. The boat motion will swish it round and you will clean up with little effort and probaboly improve the smell
If you want instant (or at least quick) reults with caked on grease and grime then I would use oven cleaner. This works like magic but tends to take the paint off and needs a thorough rinse afterwards also precautions with rubber gloves and specs required because it is a powerful chemical cocktail.

 

[nevis]

When i lived in Hampshire i used guy who had a mobile steam cleaning company.What a fantastic job he did cleaned the engine, compartment,the hull and my car it was spotless.

 

[Corribee Boy]

I find an eight year old child works quite well... If you encourage it hard enough

 

[Tradewinds]

Virosol (search ebay) diluted 1 part to 9 water (strengthen to 1 part to 4 water if necessary) - a cheap and brilliant degreaser and cleaner. Also is an excellent alloy-wheel, bathroom and kitchen cleaner.

Another vote for Virosol.

 

[Joker]

I found Bilgex fantastic.

 

[auditdata]

The best Bilge Cleaner is definitely my wife.
From this...

to this....

Oh and Cif Professional Power Cleaner and Degreaser

 

[wooslehunter]

One thing made me think. If the oil technics stuff eats away at oil AND rubber, do I really want it anywhere near my engine bay. Ay residue could keep eating away at the rubber I really want to keep. I.e. all the engine hoses and the stern glan connector.

What else would continue to eat away at rubber?

 

[Ariadne]

Any biological detergent your Mrs uses in the washing machine will work. Sprinkle it around liberally add some water and let slosh around for while - about a week, add more water and pump out, repeat as often as needed. For the finishing touches pay the kids some cash and send them down with CIF, cotton rags and finish with a drop of scented floor cleaner.

 

[Jabamusic]

The best Bilge Cleaner is definitely my wife.
From this...

to this....

Oh and Cif Professional Power Cleaner and Degreaser

Bl**dy H*ll...................is she available by the hour?

..................OOOPS SORRY - Note to self , must check which forum I'm on before I send that sort of message again !!