Ludd
Well-Known Member
Use VIM(if it's still made) and apply with vigour!
Cleaning very oily bilge
- Thread starter SimonA
- Start date
VicS
Well-Known Member
http://www.vimcleaners.co.uk/ but I dont think they still make the vigour applicator
Ludd
Well-Known Member
That WAS a surprise---haven't sen it for ages!
ccscott49
Well-Known Member
I have always used DAZ washing powder, in hot water, shifts the oil and grease with a scrubbing brush, but as others have said, parrafin to loosen the oil, then remove that then the DAZ. When you fit the new engine, make sure you fit a deep drip tray under the engine/gearbox. I also have a wet/dry vacumn cleaner, worth its weight in gold on a boat, or in the garage. Sucks all the **** out iof ther bilges in no time. Dispose of the waste from the bilges ecologically, as in the waste oil/contaminated water drum.
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
When we'd got a permanent strong diesel whiff, apparently from an old fuel leak contaminating the bilges, the boatyard proposed to clean the bilges with a hired steam cleaner.
I can't vouch for the effectiveness or advisability - just passing on the idea.
I can't vouch for the effectiveness or advisability - just passing on the idea.
JohnTH
Well-Known Member
A hot water pressure washer is good for cleaning the engine bay. Traffic film remover (TFR) helps too. Our aqua vac is better than the bilge pump for removing the resulting gunge.
Being the most idle person in the whole world, the aqua vac was being emptied into a large drum before final disposal of drum and contents. A week later, water, sand and "oil" had settled out ! The water went down the drain and the drum, with contents, on the "November" fire.
Oh, sugar and washing up liquid works an the hands, keeps them sweet !
73s de
Johnth
Being the most idle person in the whole world, the aqua vac was being emptied into a large drum before final disposal of drum and contents. A week later, water, sand and "oil" had settled out ! The water went down the drain and the drum, with contents, on the "November" fire.
Oh, sugar and washing up liquid works an the hands, keeps them sweet !
73s de
Johnth
Last edited:
KINGFISHER 9
Well-Known Member
Gunk.
Trundlebug
Well-Known Member
I too can't believe the variety of chemicals being suggested!!
I'm sure they all work, but in my view they should be used in the right order.
If there's loads of thick, oily, greasy goo in there, I would scrape & wipe out as much as possible first, with a paint scraper and old rags. Wash down what's left with paraffin - cheap, plentiful, very good degreaser, fumes not as powerful or hazardous as acetone (effective though that is - it's also more expensive), then mop up with plenty of old rags. Dispose of all the above responsibly, of course.
Finally, to get rid of the residual paraffin / oily smell, that's the time to use maybe washing powder & hot water mix, when there aren't much hydrocarbons left.
I think using all those other chemicals will remove all the paint on everything they touch - that wasn't the intention I wouldn't have thought. Although repainting with Danboline or similar would be a fine idea afterwards!
I do see it as a 3-4 stage process though (including the painting afterwards), if you want to do it economically and effectively.
I'm sure they all work, but in my view they should be used in the right order.
If there's loads of thick, oily, greasy goo in there, I would scrape & wipe out as much as possible first, with a paint scraper and old rags. Wash down what's left with paraffin - cheap, plentiful, very good degreaser, fumes not as powerful or hazardous as acetone (effective though that is - it's also more expensive), then mop up with plenty of old rags. Dispose of all the above responsibly, of course.
Finally, to get rid of the residual paraffin / oily smell, that's the time to use maybe washing powder & hot water mix, when there aren't much hydrocarbons left.
I think using all those other chemicals will remove all the paint on everything they touch - that wasn't the intention I wouldn't have thought. Although repainting with Danboline or similar would be a fine idea afterwards!
I do see it as a 3-4 stage process though (including the painting afterwards), if you want to do it economically and effectively.
moluag
Well-Known Member
yes steam cleaning works really well, i used it when i had a diesel leak some years ago 10 gallons in the bilge, due to an engine service by a mehanic that forgot to tighten a nut on the fuel line,its a bit expensive but you can get all the boat done and your car at the same time and the finish in the bilge is like looking at a new boat, depending where you are there are mobile steam cleaning guys,mine was done near Portsmouth