Guys, when you are ready to degrease the bilge, those spray cans of engine degreaser from autozone/pep boys work well to get the heavy grease loose. Then a scrubbing with some simple green or purple power. After that, some dawn dish soap and HOT water. Once it all drys out for a few days, a wipe down with laquer thinner, paint deglosser, or acetone will prep it for some fresh paint.

Key is hot water for cleaning imo. If its not 100% cleaned and grease free, the new paint will peel and crack in short order.

Thats a very nice looking Cafe Racer BTW!!

Love it! 632's WOW!! I loved my Cafe it was a wave crusher. This my new favorite thread:drink:

They are made by Street Source. I can swear by these, they work great. Like I said my above picture has 2 and it is bright as hell. I have a white bilge FYI.

http://www.streetsourceleds.com/inde...34&Category=24

Price has gone up to $32

Looks great, did you find any rot?

Thanks Mild Thunder, I'll check them out also.

Thanks for tips on bilge. So are you saying that you don't sand them at all? Just degrease and then laquer thinner or acetone and that's it?

Thanks cigrocket, I'll check them out.

Guys need some suggestions. I'm going to be de-rigging the front of the bilge tomorrow, trim pumps, batteries, etc. What is the best way to take off the hydraulic lines to remove the trim pumps and not have the fluid leak all over the bilge? I don't want to totally remove the lines from both ends. I was just thinking to remove from the pumps and unclamp from the stringers and then tie/tape up to the top of the hatch so they are out of the way...but what's the best way to keep the fluid from leaking out? What do you guys that have done it use?

Okay well got all the pumps off and realize now my above question was stupid :angry-smiley-038: about two drops of fluid came out of one line each and about ten out of the other :lolhit:

Cut me some slack, this is my first time doing this, lol. I did go a little overboard though and wrapped each line end with small pieces of paper towel and then tie wrapped the ends of the fingers of rubber gloves over them. With my luck I'd get finished painting the bilge and then hydraulic fluid would drip into the paint and I'd have to do it all over again.

Anyways, another question...there are some small areas where there is cracking, not sure exactly what it is...maybe the gel coat? It's not rot, just looks like a top coat finish that has cracked over the years. Figure I should fill it while I"m doing it and was wondering if I need to reseal it, if it's gel coat then that probably means the fiberglass is exposed right? Was just wondering what a good filler would be to use...any suggestions?

if your just looking to fill some stress cracks go to a automotive paint store and get a pint of fiberglass gell.. its real thick and should work for what you want.

For your LED lights, I have a few suggestions.

C-Spray has a trick set up with both clear and colored LED strips to both accent and actually light up the bilge.

BOJO - "Bazooka" Joe on OSO is one of the owners of OPTX Marine LEDs and they are top notch pieces.
http://www.optxmarine.com/optxmarine/index.html

Lastly, if you want red, LED truck lights work awesome and cheap.

Looking great Chad! Post the pics you have on Midwest Boat Party for us that aren't registered over there to see?