cleaning the bilge area

[k5ranger]

just curious as to what ya'l use to clean the bilge in your boats. is it necessary to buy a bilge cleaning solution or will a solution of bleach and water do?<br /><br />how about a boat wax for a fiberglass boat?

 

[18rabbit]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

I asked this same question a few days ago. I also read the older posting about this, too. Short answer: Simple Green diluted to 'general cleaning' strength. You can read my thread here:<br /><br /> http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=008484 <br /><br />EDIT: Also, Snapperbait suggested a bilge filter. Centek Ind makes a Myclex filter that traps hydrocarbons (gas, oil, diesel) so they don’t get pumped overboard. I am installing one this weekend then cleaning the bilge with Simple Green. Online the Centek filter sells for about $200. I called Centek, they sell the filter at MSRP ($220) + S/H, but they suggested I go to my local West Marine…$120. <br /><br />Liberty Bay Solutions also makes a similar filter for about the same price, but I can’t find it any cheaper than the WM price for the Centek.

 

[quantumleap]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

Sodium Hypochloride(bleach) is very corrosive. I would avoid using it. It could cause problems in the pumps and fittings.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

If you have not used simple green yet, you will love it. Cuts and lifts off oil and grease with little or no effort at all. All this and the fresh smell of liquorish (sp?). It is great to degrease engine's as well. Dries without any substantial residue. (It is not a glass cleaner)<br /><br />I use it for lots of stuff, and you can clean your hands off with it when the dirty jobs are over. Cleaning a bilge would be light work for this and should do a great job.<br /><br />Rabbit, try using it with an ortho sprayer in your larger boat. In this way you get pressure to shake loose the nasties and have the SG to cut through the oil/grease.<br /><br />Dispose of the residue in a way that your conscience for the earth allows you to.

 

[k5ranger]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

simple green it is......and i did try a search but go no findings?<br /><br />thanks for the quick reply as i'm on my way out the door right now.

 

[POINTER94]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

Walmart. Any auto store

 

[18rabbit]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

Thanks, Pointer. Good idea. I don’t think I will need the sprayer but I’ll take one just in case. Mostly just have residue from replacing the fuel tank.<br /><br />Btw, my conscience says add the filter to trap hydrocarbons before cleaning because it’s cheap and easy … and the ocean is my swimming pool.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

18Rabbit, Don't run that Simple Green through the bilge filter, it will destroy it. The element I mean.

 

[k5ranger]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

man...that simple green is the stuff!! i used it to clean all of my boat today with tremendous results! it even freshened up the livewell where i found that a 8" hering had been hiding since saturday(what a smell).<br />thanks for the tip.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

Palmolive dish soap in the bilge !!!<br />That's all I use!!!<br />Let it wish around in the water in the bilge !!!

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: cleaning the bilge area

I have always used the Simple green in my bilge for big cleanup but when I ran out I tried Greased lightning from Walmart for 2.89 a spray quart and had just as good results.I usually squirt some Joy dish detergent into the bilge during the season just to swish around day after day as the boat moves.Boating mag stated that is is the proven best dish detergent for maintaining the bilge area.They specifically stated that it is better than Dawn and polmolive.