98 450 Sundancer Bilge Compartment

[SEYachts]

I am trying to restore an engine room bilge to pristine condition. does anyone know if the compartments drain into bilge pump areas? there is oily film and I would like to hose down the engine room with simple green any thoughts?

 

[The Bill Collector]

I use Zep degreaser and a scrub brush / wash mitt to clean mine. I use the fresh water faucet and rinse it good, dry it very well with towel / heater combo, do any paint touch up needed and then BOE shield it....Just be careful what you get wet !

Sorry Paul, yes it all drains into bilge pump areas..

 

[fwebster]

GO for it........the sumps under the engines do not drain and there are a few other spots around the strut pads and the rudder packing glands that will hold water, so spray it down then wait 15 minuted and vacuum out any remaining water with your shop-vac.

 

[HUMPH]

I am trying to restore an engine room bilge to pristine condition. does anyone know if the compartments drain into bilge pump areas? there is oily film and I would like to hose down the engine room with simple green any thoughts?

As Frank said most areas drain to pumps but the others, that's what shop VACs are for!

 

[SEYachts]

Thanks Frank, I was wondering why I could not find a drain hole under the engine compartments I guess I got my work cut out for me this weekend I also wanted to paint everything in the bilge white so I can see leaks quickly. I just noticed today a slight oil leak coming from the rubber hose on top of the turbo any idea why? I also checked if was loose but it wasn't.

 

[SEYachts]

thanks Mark will do good info

 

[HUMPH]

Careful painting the bilge. It is a gel coat and will require a lot of prep work prior to painting.

 

[fwebster]

No only that, the gray bilge coat has paraffin in it so stuff will not stick to it. It is a monumental job to change the bilge color and paint over the gray. You will be money and time ahead to keep the boat original and spend whatever time it takes to clean up what you have.


On the oil leak, Cat turbos can drip some oil if the engines are run at idle a lot. The oil is coming from the breather tube so clean the crankcase filter and reseal the rubber hoses connecting the vent tube to the AirSep.

 

[The Bill Collector]

this is the product I have been using with good results....

http://www.fisheriessupply.com/interlux-bilgekote

 

[JC3]

Man I like seeing all these 450DA's.

 

[The Bill Collector]

++1

Man I like seeing all these 450DA's.

 

[MasterFab]

So can a 340 guy jump in?

I changed my bilge from gray to white during my restoration, and like Frank said, this is no simple job. I had the advantage of removing EVERYTHING from my engine room, so it wasn't so bad, but if you're not pulling the engines, holding tanks, generator, and all the little stuff, it really won't come out very well. If you do strip the engine room, then you should scuff and use wax remover on all the gray gelcoat, then apply your new paint. I, personally, am not a fan of bilgecoat. I use a urethane product from Wasser for bilge work - it won't chip, remains slightly flexible, goes on in one thick coat, and is impervious to gasoline, diesel, motor oil, transmission fluid, alcohol, etc. There is one drawback - it's old-school toxic, so you MUST wear an activated charcoal respirator while working with it.

Dale