Cleaning bilges warning

[Deleted User YDKXO]

I spent some of last weekend cleaning the bilges in my engine bay. I pumped out most of the oily diesely water using the bilge pumps and a Vela hand pump but I had to put my hands in the gunge to clear bits of debris from blocking the pumps and for final cleaning with a sponge. One day later, I contracted quite a nasty rash on both hands which is only now starting to clear after using copious amounts of HC cream. So this is a warning to any boaters planning to clean their bilges out. Get some protective gloves on first

 

[Dave_Snelson]

Good advice - and buy some cheap supermarket nappies. They are great at soaking up oil, water etc in copious quantities. All the last dregs that the pumps can't get at.

 

[CX54WEK]

Alternatively keep your bilges clean

 

[Dave_Snelson]

....with nappies /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Refueler]

Beware ... where I've been with petroleums and chemicals for a lot of my working life - my hands now suffer terribly. I have various creams to combat cracking skin.
I can have hands all fine - then within minutes of having saltwater or diesel near them - BHAM the cracks start and boy do they sting.

 

[burgundyben]

That is bloody good advice, I was sponging mine dry last night as it happens, the water in there is a right mess!

 

[Jonmendez]

Have to say that i clean ours with 2 cupfuls of 'Bilgex' in a 1/2 bucket of hot water and then hoover out with a wet vacume - you dont have to touch the stuff!! Seriously 'Bilgex' is the dogs - no connection just the best i have tried by a mile.