DIY Oil Absorbent Pads ?

[IceMan]

I found 3M literature that says that 90% of the absorbed distillate can be rung out and pillow can be reused. Now why doesn't that info appear on the product literature included with the product when you buy it

Not all pillows can be wrung out. The ones that can will say so. Then you need the wringer to squeeze it dry.(expensive and large) Then depending where you work, you need to pay attention to the VOC's. They are not worth the hassle. Just get the white oil absorbing/water repelling pads. The gray ones are much cheaper but will abosorb water. Generally the best quality and price is from a catalog called "Pigalog". I have delt with them since they started in business and they are a first class outfit. Also, if you are abosorbing gasoline or volatile liquids, make sure you get the white, 3M static resistant pads.
WD

[hellosailor]

Go to a barbershop, get or buy a sack of hair clippings. Honest. Now stick them in a fine mesh bag or a pair of old pantyhose.

It turns out hair is one of the water-repelling oil-absorbing natural materials that are actually collected and sold as oil-absorbing matts. Made exactly that way.

[nautical62]

For drips on a hard surface I just use T.P. Or paper towels.

If I should ever really spill oil in the bilge, I'll use the oil absorbent pads I bought from West Marine for only $1/each. I actually thought that was a very cheap way to get oil or gas out of bilge water.

[Kordie]

I was serious about the importation - might even be a business idea in it for the live aboard sailor.

Do any of these suit?

You'd be amazed at how cheap things are direct from China - I have imported a few things to sell on eBay and I have been impressed with the ease of it all.

oil absorbing pads - oil absorbing pads products manufacturers on alibaba.com

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

Why don't you use toilet paper?

Is spiled oil a more important comodity?

We use toilet paper for everything. We had a guest for dinner the other night.....

Oh well.
mark

Oh well? You can't just say "oh well". What did you do? Wrap them in toilet paper and use them to play pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey? Man, I wish I was there for that!

[SabreKai]

I got mine from an industrial suppler. 100 sheets in a plastic carry all. Don't remember what I paid but it was considerably cheaper than a "marine" store. Stay away from Ackland-Grainger. Their prices are hella expensive.

Sabre

[S/V Illusion]

Basically, I am a cheapskate. I am not impressed with the cost of paper bags and thought I'd make my own.
Anyone have a good source of cheap brown paper and some glue?

[Chief Engineer]

www.uline.com pp.414-417 for brown paper.......glue pp. 424,432

[mholubec]

I work for an industrial distributor. We offer 3 different weights of White Oil only pads, I agree with other posters, try WW Grainger, Oil Distributors, Bearing Suppliers Hydraulics Shops of any type. if you get around the Corpus Christi Area ill hook you u. but shop around the best buy is the 100count bag. The capitalist way discount for volume. Good luck

[hummingway]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Basically, I am a cheapskate. I am not impressed with the cost of paper bags and thought I'd make my own.
Anyone have a good source of cheap brown paper and some glue?

Glue can very easily be made by boiling the bones and skin of any fish you catch. Should your aboard horse die the skin and hooves work well for this purpose. Collect toe lint for a wonderful source of paper. Energy can be saved by combining your morning yoga routine with bag making. Place the bag under your head while doing head stands. There is not a better clamp available.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

...We had a guest for dinner the other night.....

How did he taste?

Chianti and Fava Beans go well, I hear

[SariTimur]

I have been told Maxi pads work really well but put them in one of those mesh bags you get onions or potatoes in.

[Kordie]

Originally Posted by SariTimur

I have been told Maxi pads work really well but put them in one of those mesh bags you get onions or potatoes in.

Wouldn't they soak up both the oil and water?

[sarafina]

pampers or pads work very well to absorb. anything. if you have an oil or gas spill with out any or much water in it then these work just dandy. They work great in my lazerette when i sploosh filling the gas tank or adding the 2 cycle oil. But there's not usually water in the lazerette.

Water would mean you need one of the pillows for repelling the water and suckin up the oil.

and I don't leave them in there decomposing.

[nautical62]

Originally Posted by Kordie

Wouldn't they soak up both the oil and water?

Absolutely which I why I don't understand much of this thread. One can purchase oil absorbent pads that soak up oil and gas but not water for barely more than a buck. This will soak up several ounces of spilled oil in 2 gallons of water without requiring the ability or volume to soak up both. How much would one spend on maxi pads to soak up the entire 2 gallons of oil and water? I'm guessing much more than the $1 oil pad costs, and you have a much larger volume of contaminated absorbent material to dispose of.

For drips on a hard surface, use paper towels, a rag or what ever. In a larger volume of water such as a wet bilge, use something that only absorbs the fuel oil which need not cost much at all.