How to clean bilge sludge?

[RonF]

After years of oil dribbles in the engine room, portions of the bilge are coated with residue and some sludge has formed in the low areas where water collects. I have not found a degreaser that really breaks the stuff up. I am using oil pads to get some of it, but they are sloshing around in the spots that I can't get to with a brush or mop. What product should I try?

 

[The Bill Collector]

home depot = Zep degreaser, soak, scrub, rinse repeat.......

 

[370Dancer]

two words: Purple Stuff

 

[ChuckW]

two words: Purple Stuff

:thumbsup: AKA - Purpler Power. Wear gloves or expect your hands to start peeling like a reptile...

 

[RonF]

Tried ZEP first, and it worked the best so far. The bilge is mostly clean, except where I can't get the mop under and around the engines. I also tried Spray Nine for stains on the cockpit upholstery and fiberglass deck surfaces. Better than anything else I've used.

 

[Weave]

Good info here....I'm tackling the bilge this weekend before she goes in the slip....want to keep it as clean as possible as it's easier to spot issues.
Zep and spray-nice are on the list.
Thanks guys.

 

[JVM225]

Once it's clean, you might want to try squirting a little Dawn dishwashing liguid in there and a little fresh water before you go for a ride. It will agitate around the bilge and keep it pretty clean. Plus it's biodegradeable, so no worries about pumping it out of the bilge.