steam cleaning

[Malish]

Hi
I've never used a steam cleaner before but am considering hiring one to give the deep bilge and area under the engine & propshaft a good end of season clean. Anyone tried this and encountered problems? what is the humidity like in the boat at then end of the job?

 

[NickiCrutchfield]

It is one of the best things you can do for your bilges. seeing all that smelly grime flaking off is pure joy. It takes a great deal longer than you may anticipate but it is a pleasurable job. Before you start, however, remove everything you don't want to get wet or damp, everything, and put a plastic bag held on with a rubber band over the air intake on the engine. Similarly, cover all electrics which you can't remove as the steam does get everywhere. Once you've finished, get a fan heater and dry it all thoroughly. Next year you will love your bilges and feel more inclined to keep an eye on them.

 

[oldsaltoz]

Put a large fan air mover in the companionway and open the hatch/es forward to drive out most of the moisture before it settles.

 

[ccscott49]

I wouldnt use a steam cleaner, did once, but with all that steam about, you cant see what you are cleaning and it gets everything wet!

However a high pressure cleaner, with detergent and water is the dogs bits for bilges, you can see were you are cleaning. If the high pressure cleaner allows for dergent to be inserted in it, this is te best way, alternatively give tem a wee going over withh the detergent (low foam type) first and then clean them.

Some steam cleaners have a cold setting, I would STRONGLY advise using cold water.

 

[NickiCrutchfield]

Englander makes a good point which I failed to express. Steam does make it impossible to see, but also cold water is not very good, even with detergent, at removing heavy grease and oil. The times I have done my bilges I have used a steam cleaner set to hot water, not full steam. So I would say, not cold water, not steam but very hot water.

 

[Keith 66]

I will vouch for the pressure washer, i just spent the morning cleaning our new old Sabre 27 out, she was horribly filthy with possibly the worst engine bay i have seen in a long time, i sprayed Jizer on the day before & let it soak then went for it. Result a spotless boat with clean bilges, as an aside it took all the old headlining glue off as well as all the loose paint. Very satisfying!

 

[Malish]

thanks for the guidance