I'm redoing a cruisers engine compartment and would like to clean and refinish it to help light relectivity and cosmetics. Anyone out there with experience on the best cleaner to use and then finishing method. I'd like to avoid spray gel and perhaps use an epoxy based system.

I pressure-washed the engine area in my 310 Searay, then hand-scrubbed it with brushes and degreaser to get it clean enough to paint. Also, I removed all mechanicals, plumbing, and wiring as this was a long-term refit (18 months) of this boat. I considered using epoxy but decided to use Bilgkote because it was less expensive. Overall, I've been happy with the Bilgkote but it has an extremely long drying time. If I were to do another one, I'd use the two-part epoxy. My Searay engine space was dark grey originally so repainting with the light grey Bilgekote made a big difference.

Pressure wash bilge twice using a degreaser, let dry completly!! Acetone area , Make sure you have a good air flow going on,Scotchbrite(red) or use 320 grit paper, clean again with acetone or any good precleaner and spray with any polyurathane, use proper ventilataion.

Thanks Guys,

I'm going to do a degreaser soak today, then a steam clean/hot water pressure wash tomorrow. The scotchbrite will happen after that and then a primer coat and followed by bright white two part epoxy.

Mark