Getting old engine oil off the insides of the boat.. hope someone can advise?

[Kukri]

She had a BMC 1.5...

Like all products of the British motor industry of the 1960's, it had "marked its territory", just like a British sports car or motorcycle used to do... only in this case it was in a GRP hull boat.. for forty years...

There are places where spotless, honest, Tyler Boat Company GRP may still be seen - notably in the forecabin - and places were I can literally spoon out the dark brown, smelly, gloop. Under the berths in the saloon and even under the cupboards above the berths we have filthy brown stains.

I have bought enough Bilgex etc to keep the local chandlery in the style to which they would like to become accustomed, but to little effect...

I want it all gone before the new engine goes in.. in my former boat, planked in burma teak, I used an industrial steam cleaner, but I am not sure this is a good plan with GRP...

What can I do?

 

[Tranona]

I want it all gone before the new engine goes in.. in my former boat, planked in burma teak, I used an industrial steam cleaner, but I am not sure this is a good plan with GRP...

What can I do?

That sounds like a plan. Won't do the GRP any harm but it will be a messy job.

 

[pvb]

Maybe try another degreaser; Jizer is pretty good.

 

[Kukri]

Maybe try another degreaser; Jizer is pretty good.

Tried five litres of Jizer - no visible effect... could try a few more...

 

[Biggles Wader]

Get one of your shipping connections to obtain some suji.
Removes everything including skin so industrial rubber gloves are a must:encouragement:

 

[pvb]

Tried five litres of Jizer - no visible effect... could try a few more...

How about petrol-soaked rags (with copious ventilation, obviously)?

 

[robmcg]

Contact oiltechnics.com They will have something that will have the right enzyme to deal with the oil spills. After the oil is gone, you could freshen the area up with some danboline paint which should knock back some of the smell too.

 

[lw395]

Where there is a serious quantity of oily mess, you may be better off starting with paper or sawdust to absorb it?
Sand and a scrubbing brush?
Cement dust?
The 'no nonsense' degreaser from screwfix seems as good as any and is not expensive.
But first reduce the quantity as much as you can physically.
Cream Cleaner (JIf) is useful.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

(1) Sawdust to mop up
(2) More fine sawdust, vigorously rubbed into the remains of the stain
(3) Repeat (2) as necessary until the sawdust remains clean
(4) Spray kitchen degreaser, scrub and rinse with fresh water
(5) Apply Danboline or similar
(6) While the Danboline is drying, treat yourself to a double shot of single malt... and a good rest. (Chinese massage is optional but can be effective)*.

p.s. (*) or so I'm told.

 

[richardabeattie]

Is there not a product called Gunk? Sure I've got some somewhere and that's what it was supposed to be for.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Gunk worked for me on a wooden yacht with the engine out ... like the black hole of Calcutta it was! ... :encouragement:

 

[Kukri]

Is there not a product called Gunk? Sure I've got some somewhere and that's what it was supposed to be for.

I thought I had tried that but maybe it was just Jizer...

 

[Halo]

Scrape off the tick of it and then use oven cleaner. It works well but you need gloves.

 

[Halo]

Scrape off the tick of it and then use oven cleaner. It works well but you need gloves.

Should have said it will also take the paint off but that’s a small sacrifice

 

[Kukri]

Should have said it will also take the paint off but that’s a small sacrifice

Paint is the least of my worries!

 

[pvb]

Is there not a product called Gunk? Sure I've got some somewhere and that's what it was supposed to be for.

Gunk is similar in effectiveness to Jizer, but leaves a rather more pungent smell.

 

[Fr J Hackett]

The only answer is to mechanically remove all the "gloop" then using proprietary degreasers and a scrubbing brush with plenty of elbow grease get the rest of the stuff that is attached to the sides of the bilges and elsewhere. Then copious amounts of hot water and more scrubbing will get you to a reasonable state of cleanliness.
There is no magic substance or trick just hard work and application. Of course preventing it happening or at least keeping on top of it would have been the better solution.

 

[sarabande]

Oiltechnics have all the answers, and a very friendly customer service dept.

They can also advise on bio/non bio, personal safety, PPE, disposal routes, etc

 

[Ludd]

Strong solution of Fairy liquid is pretty effective and cheaper than chandlery gubbins AND it's easy on the skin. Smells good too!

 

[Hydrozoan]

I find this is very effective and essentially odourless, unlike some.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Autoglym-E...e=all_reviews&pageNumber=6#reviews-filter-bar

Worth a trial IMO.