Bilge area cleaning
 

what is the go to cleaning products for the bilge area? i removed one engine for a rebuild and would like to clean up as much as i can while everything is out.

Need a degreaser like simple green or purple power…some of the citrus based products work ok too.

I always use simple green.

Awesome, i was hoping it was something simple. Thanks

Just make sure the purple power doesnt get on polished aluminum or will discolor

Beyond the cleaners get some dollar store brushs. Ones with a 360 degree brush like a toilet bowel brush etc. Cleaner by itself will only get you so far. Need to scrub to.

This has worked for me. Home Depot has 2g jugs of the industrial strength stuff for cheap.

The "tub o' towels" wipes work great for the areas you don't want to soak in water FYI. I use them on engines, bilge area, upholstery, wheels, etc etc.

Cannot beat Castrol SUPERCLEAN...

I agree but you can't get it in Castrol anymore. There's another brand in a purple bottle that looks the same and works the same though. Don't get it on polished aluminum!

+1 on the aluminum...be careful.

They just removed the Castrol from the name. Buy it at Walmart. Best stuff out there.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Super-Cle...1-gal/23752162

west marine bilge cleaner is $30/gallon, but it works well. Maybe if we find the MSDS we can brew our own cheaper.

https://newcontent.westmarine.com/do...ge-Cleaner.pdf

I have also used a product call Awesume. Doller General, WalMart etc. Just follow the directions. Also use the toilet bowel brushes. The work good and are throw away.

In addition to all the soaps listed. Hands down the best "scrub brush" out there.


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.off...ddf012817b.jpg

who knew cleaning your bilge would turn into a $5,000 endeavor…leave it to OSO!!!

:lolhit:

Well the pressure washer was the point. Buy what your budget allows. I do find the heat of the "steam" ones seems to do an above average job over the non steam.

If it's really nasty, I'll use mineral spirits, followed by hot soapy (dishwashing soap) water followed by garden hose for a final rinse.

The vast majority of the yuck comes out with the mineral spirits. I catch it in a drain pan and pour it into the recycle oil drum. Soap and water drains into driveway but it comes out pretty clean

Need bow way up high to keep everything moving towards the plug.

Thanks for the recommendations ! Hopefully I’ll be able to clean it up soon.

I picked this thing up a while back, turns out to be an awesome bilge cleaner. Will be even better when they release the flexible spray hose for it, little bulky yet but worked fine. Actually was enough power to get the gunk off of the very bottom of bilge under motors where I can't get to with long handle brush. Best part is put your favorite degreaser mix solution into 5 gallon bucket on swim platform and it sucks right out of that. They have new brushless version in works that is twice the PSI but not yet available. Believe DeWalt has something similar as well. Definitely more than a garden hose, but not all of the spray and mist as regular power washer. Worked surprisingly well!

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-ON...0350/312453233
https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-2...550B/314265888

Toilet bowl cleaner works perfectly for me

Getting it clean is great, but do any of you put anything back on to protect it after? Like waxes or something? Seems like some sort of a spray wax might be a good idea to make it easier to clean next time.

Ditto on the Ryobi battery powered pressure washer. Works fantastic on a dirty bilge. I use the Zep citrus decreased.

Padraig

Be careful with pressure washers around any areas that have openings into the transom and stringer cores.

All good suggestions here.

Believe it or not, I've found that a mix of Tide and Dawn with a little water in the bilge does a great job of keeping the bilge fairly clean. It leaves a clean and fresh scent too! ;)

Just hook your pressure washer to the hot water heater