Ultra clean bilges

[Fjord John]

Hi all

I’m giving my bilges a clean. I know some of you are on the same page, so hoping for minimal judgement ;-)

Does anyone have a tip for a product to help remove the stubborn black marks under the stern gland?

 

[sarabande]

Give Oil Technics a call tomorrow,. They have a range of cleaners to meet various surfaces and environmental requirements.

Floor Cleaners | Oil Technics

 

[BB1]

Hi all

I’m giving my bilges a clean. I know some of you are on the same page, so hoping for minimal judgement ;-)

Does anyone have a tip for a product to help remove the stubborn black marks under the stern gland?

Brake and clutch cleaner or acetone

 

[monkfish24]

Traffic Film Remover works wonders on hard to shift stains.

Also, repainting in an epoxy based paint gives a hard smooth finish which makes it easier to clean with acetone and the likes.

 

[alt]

TFR.

Use a garden sprayer, leave it 10 mins and wipe around. Use garden sprayer to wash off and pump out. Finish off with fairy to get rid of the TFR

 

[alt]

Brake and clutch cleaner or acetone

Too harsh

 

[jon and michie]

Dove shampoo and water - go out in the boat so it will slosh about then clean up with a rag - worked for me

 

[jakew009]

Too harsh

I disagree, acetone won't do anything to gelcoat / flowcoat

And if acetone won't shift it, you can just flowcoat right over the top of it.

Edit: actually I don't know what the boats made of, if it's painted wood the stain is likely soaked into the paint and nothing will shift it.

 

[paradave]

Paging Jamie Dundee.

 

[Mr Googler]

Paging Jamie Dundee.

He’s busy cleaning his bilge

 

[Momac]

 

[Falcoron]

View attachment 137154

Did nothing on my bilges, but great for general cleaning

 

[Fjord John]

I disagree, acetone won't do anything to gelcoat / flowcoat

And if acetone won't shift it, you can just flowcoat right over the top of it.

Edit: actually I don't know what the boats made of, if it's painted wood the stain is likely soaked into the paint and nothing will shift it.

Thanks Jake, she is fibreglass. Will give Acetone a go.

 

[frazion]

Oxalic acid and a stiff brush is also worth a shot

 

[Bandit]

it's not a great photo, but it looks like you have a grease filled stuffing box?

If you like clean bilges bin the stuffing box and fit Tides Marine seals, no grease and no drips.

 

[petem]

it's not a great photo, but it looks like you have a grease filled stuffing box?

If you like clean bilges bin the stuffing box and fit Tides Marine seals, no grease and no drips.

Nothing wrong with a grease filled stuffing box ???

 

[Bandit]

Nothing wrong with a grease filled stuffing box ???

Except they leak grease and water!

 

[AndieMac]

Oxalic acid and a stiff brush is also worth a shot

Oxalic is perfect for bleaching stained gelcoat, once the stain has impregnated it, but unfortunately not much use with debris sitting externally. The brake cleaner and a stiff brush would be my bet if it’s solidified grease.

 

[ChromeDome]

Plenty of household products would do something..

Engine cleaner, wheel cleaner, green soap, bbq/grill/oven cleaner, pre-paint cleaner...

Temperature is important for most chemicals to work as intended.

 

[Bouba]

Just don’t mix your chemicals in the bilge...and be very careful with the acid....