Diesel smell

[mick]

I’ve managed to spill some diesel inside my boat, mostly on the quarter berth base board (cushion removed, thankfully). All mopped up, but how do I get rid of the stink?

 

[Champagne Murphy]

Either a new base board (assuming it’s wood) or wait a year or 3

 

[pvb]

I use cheap own-brand antibacterial spray cleaner to tidy up after changing fuel filters, seems to get rid of lingering diesel aroma.

 

[Stemar]

As long as the base board is varnished, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. I'd try some Oust air freshener.

If it has soaked into the board or got into the bilges, your best hope is something like Bioclean, which contains bacteria that eat up organic matter like oil & diesel. It's the only thing that got my bilge smelling sweet after a diesel leak that went on far too long because I couldn't find it.

 

[VicS]

I use cheap own-brand antibacterial spray cleaner to tidy up after changing fuel filters, seems to get rid of lingering diesel aroma.

This type of thing ?

 

[jwilson]

Either a new base board (assuming it’s wood) or wait a year or 3

I'd make a new base board. Diesel smell is very difficult to mask or eradicate. And even if you think it's OK, others may not.

After a tank leak into all-GRP bilges, I had to scrub first with degreaser, then with Bilgex, then with strong detergent, plus lots of hot water, before I was happy the smell had gone. Cushions that had not actually had any diesel at all directly on them eventually lost the lingering scent after a winter ashore, and I got complaints that they made the spare room smell of diesel!

 

[Minchsailor]

I can't remember what it is called, but you can get a cleaner from a pet shop for getting rid of dog/cat pee smells (I used the 'cat' one) - it also is some sort of bacterial/enzyme magic mixture. I poured it in the bilge after spilling some diesel while working on the engine. Seemed to work after leaving it for a couple of days.

 

[Elessar]

I’ve managed to spill some diesel inside my boat, mostly on the quarter berth base board (cushion removed, thankfully). All mopped up, but how do I get rid of the stink?

Cats piss stink remover from a pet shop. Eradicates it doesn’t mask it.
It works on anything organic.

 

[neilf39]

Toilet Duck removed all smells from my bilge.

 

[vyv_cox]

Toilet Duck removed all smells from my bilge.

Agree. Sunsail use it with great success.

 

[pvb]

This type of thing ?

Yes, that type of thing.

 

[LittleSister]

Diesel leaks were never a problem when ropes were hemp, the sails canvas, the deck and hull leaky by nature, and all the crew smoked pipes!

p.s. Forgot to mention the paraffin lamp and cooker.

 

[Heckler]

I’ve managed to spill some diesel inside my boat, mostly on the quarter berth base board (cushion removed, thankfully). All mopped up, but how do I get rid of the stink?

I must say Bilgex has always worked for me

 

[Elessar]

I went out for a sail last night and whilst topping off the (tiny!!) tank before we left my friend poured diesel up my arm as I held the funnel.
I sprayed the sleeve of my fleece with the cats P stuff and it killed the smell. I wouldn’t do that with toilet duck.

 

[vyv_cox]

I went out for a sail last night and whilst topping off the (tiny!!) tank before we left my friend poured diesel up my arm as I held the funnel.
I sprayed the sleeve of my fleece with the cats P stuff and it killed the smell. I wouldn’t do that with toilet duck.

I doubt if I would either. However, my wife did a delivery trip on a Sunsail boat. When diesel was topped up in a marina it was discovered that the hose was not connected to anything and several gallons went into the forecabin locker. She was sleeping in the forecabin, which was impossible after this. After the locker was washed down and sprayed with Toilet Duck the smell was completely eradicated and she continued to sleep there.

 

[mick]

Thanks for all comments. I’ve tried catpisssmell remover but the catpisssmell remover smell is worse than the diesel smell. On to Toilet Duck.

 

[Seashoreman]

Cats piss stink remover from a pet shop. Eradicates it doesn’t mask it.
It works on anything organic.

This is what I have used after a recommendation on here. Very effective.
Also as Minchsailor says. Leaves no smell of anything, especially toilet cleaner.

 

[PhillM]

If it is a board, sand it down and repaint. That's what I had to do with the entire insides of my bilge. Worked a treat.

 

[jwilson]

The problem wih smells are that some people are more sensitive to specific smells than others. What may be smell-free to one may be nauseating to another. My personal experience is that diesel smell in particular is incredibly difficult to completely eradicate.

 

[Elessar]

Thanks for all comments. I’ve tried catpisssmell remover but the catpisssmell remover smell is worse than the diesel smell. On to Toilet Duck.

Interesting. The one I use is an enzyme one and has no perfume.