Who has a favorite bilge cleaner?

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C

cbourne200

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Dec 27, 2011
279
Oday 272 Pensacola
I knew I spilled a little deisel when I opened the fuel filter. But didn't think I spilled that much. It is not leaking now - I've checked with papertowels under filter for several weeks.

But what little I did spill made it's way to the bilge and has coated bilge and fouled water there. I pumped bilge prior to knowing there was a spill, and water outside of boat had a slight sheen Turned off pump as soon as I realized what was happening. Have been emptying bilge since then with a turkey baster.

Does anyone know of a good bilge cleaner (home recipe or bought from Marine stores) that will clean the bilge of deisel? When placing fouled water in plastic water bottles, you can definitely tell it has an oily top layer.
 
onecoolair

onecoolair

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Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
Does anyone know of a good bilge cleaner (home recipe or bought from Marine stores) that will clean the bilge of deisel? When placing fouled water in plastic water bottles, you can definitely tell it has an oily top layer.[/QUOTE]

Yes.... It's called PURPLE POWER! Check with your local walmart . Buy yourself about 4 or 5 gallons of this stuff . Take the first container and slowly pour from the source point of leak and let gravity do its job and make it follow the original course of the diesel or oil leak to bilge. This stuff will completely break up any diesel or oils. Take stiff long handle brush and do a little scrubbing . Let sit over night or most of the day and them pump the bilge .
Then repeat the process. Buy the third cleaning you should be able to go 1/2 and 1/2 . For any higher areas of staining that that was missed in the first and second go around just use full strength by dipping brush into a small container a little more scrubbing and wiping down should do it. Always keep any left over extra purple power degreaser handily stored below or in dock box sitting in extra bucket and ready for quick emergencies ....
 
C

cbourne200

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Dec 27, 2011
279
Oday 272 Pensacola
Unfortunately, there is no way to 'scrub with long handles brush'. The fuel filter is mounted on the bulkhead in the starboard lazarette. There may be a couple cutouts (about 3x4 inches) to get into the bilge area. An area that will definitely allow liquids/small nots/washers to fal out of reach, but otherwise unaccessible.

But thanks for the recommendation of Purple Power. Product recommended by FourPoints is about $25/gallon - how much is 4-5 gallons of Purple Power (I'm just not familiar with this cleaning product).
 
iratherbeboating

iratherbeboating

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Jan 15, 2013
2
Bayliner 160 OB Depends on the time of year
my favorite

My best luck has been with Sudbury Boat products. I just got it at my usual hardware/boat supply store. I have used their waxes too. No complaints. I used their locator to find their products again when in Florida, they never disappoint.

http://sudburyboatcare.com/

hope it helped. good luck.
 
py26129

py26129

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Oct 25, 2011
576
Island Packet IP31 Lake St. Louis, Montreal
I do have a small diesel leak that I have been chasing for two seasons now. I put a little Tide Detergent in the bilge between pumping it out.. It does a good job on cleanup down there while we are out sailing.

I will be changing out the fule lines this sping so, hopefully there will be no more requirement for the Tide.

Cheers

Matt
 
onecoolair

onecoolair

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Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
cbourne200 said:
Unfortunately, there is no way to 'scrub with long handles brush'. The fuel filter is mounted on the bulkhead in the starboard lazarette. There may be a couple cutouts (about 3x4 inches) to get into the bilge area. An area that will definitely allow liquids/small nots/washers to fal out of reach, but otherwise unaccessible.

But thanks for the recommendation of Purple Power. Product recommended by FourPoints is about $25/gallon - how much is 4-5 gallons of Purple Power (I'm just not familiar with this cleaning product).
Click to expand
About 6 or 7 bucks a gallon. You can use your Turkey Baster or a small spray bottle to get it into hard to get at areas. Were small pockets of oil or diesel maybe hiding. Trust me this stuff works!!! Number #1 on the KISS principle list!
 
Merlin Clark

Merlin Clark

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Oct 26, 2005
2,057
- - Satellite Beach, FL.
$5/gallon at Advance Auto for Purple Power. Dump some in the bilge and then bounce around in the gulf some to splosh it around. The more sploshing the better.
 
Hugh Straub

Hugh Straub

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Dec 8, 2011
172
Hunter 23.5 New Orleans
Does anyone know of a good bilge cleaner

Dawn dishwashing liquid...your bilge will be clean and lemony fresh - no fooling!


Kind regards

Hugh
 
C

cbourne200

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Dec 27, 2011
279
Oday 272 Pensacola
OneCoolAir - No Purple Power at our Walmart - so I bought a small bottle of Dawn. May go by Advanced Auto Supply to check on them. Thanks Merlinuxo for tip on where to find. Definitely prefer the 'low price solution' if it works as well.

Charles
 
onecoolair

onecoolair

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Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
purple power

cbourne200 said:
OneCoolAir - No Purple Power at our Walmart - so I bought a small bottle of Dawn. May go by Advanced Auto Supply to check on them. Thanks Merlinuxo for tip on where to find. Definitely prefer the 'low price solution' if it works as well.

Charles
Click to expand
Check with your local Orealy's, auto zone , Lowe's , home depot or advanced auto. I have noticed that my Walmart in kemah often carries more stuff and is often better stocked then the local walmart near the house in town....And both stores are superstore rated.
Believe me when I say it will work well! So well I always keep some handy on the boat for emergencys. Even at home for the driveway oil stains.
 
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