Bilge cleaner(s) question for the group

[mstailey]

I read MikeP996 thread on his experience cleaning the bilge but want to find out from the group if there are any "quick" cleaners that can be dumped in, swished around then wet/dry vaccumed out. I've got what appears to be tar between the main bulk head and transom under the aft stateroom. It's fuel / oil that looks like it's been there for a long time. Not much water there hence the "tar"

What products has everybody had luck with?

 

[67hat34c]

is there access to this area? if not then consider cutting an inspection hole, I did this in cabin floor. installed round deck plate. this is recessed and carpet covers it. i was then able to use rags soaked with mineral spirits zip tied to a stick and mopped it up. used about 2 gallons of min spirits and a lot of rags. then used tide with fabreze in it and washed the are out. pluged drain holes and let it fill to just under the deck, let it sit then drained it.

 

[mstailey]

67hat34c,
Thanks for the info. Plenty of access without cutting any inspection holes. Not sure about dumping the Tide - Fabreeze, I'm in the Great Lakes and can't really dump anything. However the wet/dry vac and proper disposal are an option. I was looking for a use-swish-sit-vac solution.

 

[67hat34c]

I would try mopping with rags soaked with mineral spirits, this will get 90% of it. simple green is environmently friendly although i think it stinks that is why we used tide with fabreze.

Good luck.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I just saw where someone is marketing those bacteria that eat up oil and sludge. I think it was in the new issue of PMM. Apparently they stay dormant for up to 5 years, then come to life in the presence of hydrocarbons and multiply until they have eaten all of the gunk. Might be worth checking out.

 

[67hat34c]

enzyme may work, they use it for oil spills.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

enzyme may work, they use it for oil spills.

Maybe that's what is was. I thought it said bacteria, but I really wasn't paying that much attention to it. I will try to look it up tonight.

 

[Diver Down]

I've used bacteria cultures in some tank cleaning in my shipyard. Stuff is great for breaking down the petroleum-based liquids and the sludge residual is easy to clean up.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Found it. It just says microbial powder. Here's the link: http://www.cleanwatersolutionsinc.com/products.html#cwmp

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

I've had success in previous boats that had some sludge build up by buying a pair of industrial rubber gloves (Home Depot, Lowes, etc. - always keep a pair on the boat) and soaking an old rag with denatured alcohol. Less toxic and leaves no oily feel on things. This method gets up the heavy stuff. You can then, at times, pour a little laundry detergent (biodegradable) in the bilge before getting under way and let it slosh around for a few hours, then pump overboard. does a pretty good job of keeping the bilge clean. Denatured alcohol is great for wiping down engines and things in the bilge. (Maybe someday I will bring an interior decorator and redo the bilge).

Good luck,

Capt'n Bill

 

[mstailey]

Sky,
Thanks for the link

Also, I thank all for the suggestions.

 

[Traveler 45C]

Starbright Super Orange Bilge Cleaner is the stuff to use. Available @ West. You just add water to the bilge, pour this stuff in and wait a few hours. It did a great job on my boat. My bilge looked like I had scrubed it out.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

I don't know if the microbial stuff really works or not, but I ordered some to try. The best price I found on the net was at Hamiliton Marine.

 

[jim rosenthal]

The Starbrite stuff works very well. It has to slosh around a while. It pulls out a lot of dirt and caked stuff etc.