Greasy Bilges 4 feet deep.

[StellaBorealis]

Okay so the dreaded PO drained his oil into the bilge just before I bought the boat. The broker paid a livaboard to "clean it up" and the livaboard did a crappy job. I got so tired of dealing with the broker that I just accepted it and now its my problem. I got the bilges to the point that they dont put out a slick when I pump overboard (Yes I observed all environmental factors and disposed of the filth in an appropriate fashion. But now I have a problem. The walls of the deep bilge are covered in sticky oilgrease. last weekend I tried cold water with loads of pressure (enough to remove the paint in areas of the bilge) and scrubbing with a brush. Its not working.

What would yall use. I want my bilges clean and dry so I can paint them white and know how things are with a glance down there.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

--
=====
Fair Winds and
Following seas,
Adam Yuret
s/v Stella Borealis
Magellan 36' Ketch

 

[KREW2]

Hi
I have used a product called Brillo degreaser its used for commercial kitchen cleaning. It comes in 5ltr containers and is available from most cash and carries I have put it in spray bottles to get into awkward places, it works really well neat.
good scrubbing KW

 

[cliff]

Engine degreaser available at most motor accessory shops but certainly in all motor factors.
I used an aerosol type to clean the engine and bilges - used about ½ of a 500ml tin and spotless result - painted the engine straight away (once dry) and so sign of the paint being thrown by oil or grease.

Try the Tetrosyl degreaser in preference to the old faithful "Gunk" - much quicker, nicer smell and IMHO much better at getting the oil film off.

The problem with domestic degreasers cum cooker cleaners is they tend to contain nasties such as caustic soda which will not do your grp any good - Automotive degreasers tend to be solvent based along with other chemicals to hold the oil / grease once broken up.

Alternative is copious quantities of hot soapy water and a scrubbing brush.
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[KREW2]

HI
Whilst I agree Kleenoff and such like products are caustic based the brillo degreaser is not it smells a bit like the liquid you buy to blow bubbles with, however I totally forgot about gunk which I know is made for the job

 

[garvellachs]

We've cleaned off 20 yrs of oily grime from under an engine using just hot water and loads (a whole bottle) of washing up liquid. Obviously the resulting filthy water has to go to the re-cycling or similar to be disposed of properly.

 

[cliff]

I've had bad experiences using domestic / cooker cleaners in the past and hence my hesitation to use them on the boat. Gunk is O.K. but I found the Tetrosyl engine degreaser much easier to use and quite economical (very little needed). With the modern trend to litigation and massive compensation claims many domestic products are so "denatured" that most of the "woomph" has been removed whereas industrial / automotive products tend to be unaffected so far although the nanny state and PC'ness is getting everywhere these days - even on the forums.
Previously I would have recommended a good wash out with petrol then hot soapy water then a final degrease with Acetone, Xylene, Toluene or Carbon Tetrachloride (or any other half decent solvent) but the environmentalists, Health and Safety bods and the like would be all over me for even suggesting such treatment for a greasy bilge even though it would work and I am sure has been done many times and will continue to be some folks preferred method.
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[William_H]

Hi Cliff I have used Caustic soda in granulated form for many years to remove A/F paint as a cheap paint stripper and it has done no harm to F/G hull. I would suggest Caustic as it quickly disolves oil stains on my driveway but it is extremely harmfull to the skin and obviously a devil to dispose of but then perhaps no worse than other cleaners. After all the disolved gunk has got to be got rid of somehow. regards olewill

 

[billcowan]

Simple chemistry;

Kitchen cleaner is caustic, it turns animal and vegitable oils into a soap. Great for the cooker but not a lot of use for the engine/bilge

Engines use mineral oil which is just about chemically inert. caustic wont do much for it. So you have to disolve it with a lighter oil. Or you can carry it away with a detergent in water. Or both.

Degreasers like Gunk, Jizer etc are mainly a blend of diesel oil and detergent. So you can make your own, but I like Jizer from the motor factors.

Spray oily mess with degreser, have a cup of tea/beer, rinse down with very hot water or blast off with pressure washer drawing hot water from a bucket.

PS. A large wet pickup vac is great for sucking the resulting brew out of the bilge and transporting it for 'safe' disposal.

 

[stephenh]

You could try "Bilgex" - it's designed and made for exactly what you are trying to do ...........

Extra fast in hot water.

 

[Strathglass]

Bulgex.

I would agree with that.

Bulgex is the only thing to use.

It is sold in about one gallon plastic containers and is diluted before use.

It will clear every trace of old oil and grease then leave sweet smelling bulges.

A sponge, a small paint brush, rubber gloves, 10% diluted Bulgex then a hose. This will make your bulges spotless without damaging the hull or engine.

I have used it very often.

Iain

 

[boatmike]

Caustic soda is not good for the resins used in boatbuilding. You will probably not notice it as it wont melt the boat overnight but it does attack the surface over time.
I would wash through with Gunk first and then use a propriatory boat product like Bilgex......