ER Clean Up
Tom: Last year I cleaned up my ER's and bilges and I can tell you it is a PITA type of job.
I used a spray can of engine degreaser and wiped down all engine parts and ER walls, taped all ends of rubber hoses where they connected to metal parts, taped electrical connection, wiring and other electrical components and then I used a high temperature spray can paint and sprayed the engines. For the walls I used brush or roller room. I used high gloss paint for easy cleaning later. You should have good ventilation in the areas you're working in for health reasons.
For the bilges, clean as much oil as you can, have plenty of rags at hand and then use detergent soap to remove all traces of oil from the bilges (easier said than done). In washing the bilges I use hot water and plenty of soap.
I should say here (and I'm assuming your boat is on dry dock and your bilge pumps are turned off) let the soap and water sit overnight or for 4-6 hrs.. Before you turn your bilge pumps on to pump out the oil/water mixture agitate the mixture with water from a water hose as you're pumping out and make sure you have the means to catch the stuff outside the boat so you can safely dispose of it unless you want to sell the boat to pay the EPA. You may have to wash the bilges several times to get them really clean. Before you paint the bilges make sure they are completely dry. That may take several days and a fan or a dryer may help. I used oil paint (Battleship gray) to paint them. Not an easy job! Good Luck.
George
1975 53MY
