Peggy, what detergent to use under hull liner?

[Mystic51]

Peggy or anyone, I am getting ready to work on the areas under my hull liner this weekend. I asked this question and did not get a response yet so here goes again:[Should I try this?I found a post where Peggy suggest that KO is too expensive to use in the bilge. she goes on recommend using a sprayer and detergent to flush out the inaccessable areas under the liner. Should I try this to get rid of odor down there. What kind of detergent should I use and should I skip bleach? I want to make sure I kill whatever is down there. We have a dry boat now and can vacume up whatever we spray down there]Thanks, Jeff

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Any good detergent cleaner...

Simple Green, Wisk...skip the bleach. The important thing is to get enough of it into every nook and cranny...let it soak a bit...then THOROUGHLY flush all the dirty soapy water out. Use a sponge, dinghy bailer, wet vac--whatever--to mop up any remaining water...leave hatches open to provide plenty of fresh air while it dries out.

 

[Mystic51]

thanks Peggy

thanks, I will use simple Green and my pressure sprayer this weekend. Hope this helps solve my odor problems.Jeff

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

If doesn't, I'll give you directions for

a single K.O. "treatment" that will. K.O. is too expensive to use as a "bilge cleaner"...but VERY effective--and worth it--to cure an odor problem in a bilge that's been neglected for too long.Clean it--really CLEAN it and flush all the dirty water out--once or twice a year and your boat will always smell fresh.

 

[RichH]

Use a caustic based detergent ......

Old fashioned lye-soap or a modern detergent whose 'base' is sodium silicate is probably the best. Such detergents will 'dissolve' molds and mildews' - the probable chief cause of 'boat stink' coming from behind liners, etc. Get them from a janatorial or dairy supply or Agway that caters to dairy farmers. Use protection (goggles, gloves, etc.) as these 'detergents' are STRONG. As with ALL detergents the 'soak time' is important. Dont just swish and rinse; but, apply - let soak-scrub if you can - then rinse ... as it takes 'time' to dissolve all the 'flora and fauna' growing there.