Getting sewage smells out of fibreglass

[SV_Crucible]

Hey all, I just took out my "black water" tank and hoses and toilet etc. It was a disgusting job and a lot of crap got on the fibreglass. Some of it had been pooling in a hidden area for a long time. I ran out of cleaner part way through and used some carpet cleaning enzyme formula but while it smells better I still think it might have harmful bacteria present. I was thinking of scrubbing it again with bleach and treating it with enzyme again after.

Advice?

[john61ct]

Peggie Hall's book is worth its weight in gold
http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...rs-220955.html

[SV_Crucible]

Unfortunately I can't get it without going through the Amazon sign up rigamarole again. And I'm on a fairly remote Island with no stores and have to leave as soon as the boat is squared away.

[Kenomac]

Use bleach, dilute 10:1 or 5:1 with water and use gloves.

[Sea Q]

Lots of people use Noflex digestor to clean and get rid of sewage spills and smells in their bilges.

Its on Amazon

[kenbo]

Since you're on a remote island clean with bleach, lightly sand and paint the surfaces.

[Cpt Mark]

Paint the surfaces with KILZ primer if available. It seals odors in.

[Len Berkstresser]

SV,
Unfortunately, I have had a similar situation with an old Hunter that had a bladder in it which had ruptured. It was that way when I bought the boat and I wasn't told. Went on a trip the following week and discovered a mess after cruising a few days with my wife. What a surprise...
At any rate, believe it or not, but I was able to remove the smell from the holding tank area using a feminine hygiene product: Massengill Douche. I know I have just put a smile on many peoples' faces with this statement and others are shaking their heads in disbelief, but it worked. I'd like to say follow the directions but obviously that wont work. I saturated the area with the product, let it sit for about 15 minutes, rinsed it completely and repeated a second time. It made her smell fresh and clean. (really, it is a vinegar/water solution with some fragrance). Good luck!
Len Berkstresser
S/V Wildfire

[SV_Crucible]

Originally Posted by Len Berkstresser

SV,
Unfortunately, I have had a similar situation with an old Hunter that had a bladder in it which had ruptured. It was that way when I bought the boat and I wasn't told. Went on a trip the following week and discovered a mess after cruising a few days with my wife. What a surprise...
At any rate, believe it or not, but I was able to remove the smell from the holding tank area using a feminine hygiene product: Massengill Douche. I know I have just put a smile on many peoples' faces with this statement and others are shaking their heads in disbelief, but it worked. I'd like to say follow the directions but obviously that wont work. I saturated the area with the product, let it sit for about 15 minutes, rinsed it completely and repeated a second time. It made her smell fresh and clean. (really, it is a vinegar/water solution with some fragrance). Good luck!
Len Berkstresser
S/V Wildfire

Great idea! Yes now that you mentioned it I remember reading years ago that the smell of urine persists due to crystals it leaves behind when it dries and vinegar was said to dissolve these crystals so I shall give it a try after the bleachfest I plan to unleash ��

Thanks for the advice!

[SV_Crucible]

Originally Posted by Sea Q

Lots of people use Noflex digestor to clean and get rid of sewage spills and smells in their bilges.

Its on Amazon

Cool, I have some left over, will give it a shot. Thanks!

[techmans]

Originally Posted by SV_Crucible

Unfortunately I can't get it without going through the Amazon sign up rigamarole again. And I'm on a fairly remote Island with no stores and have to leave as soon as the boat is squared away.

You can buy here; you don't need amazon.And they ship free world-wide.

https://www.bookdepository.com/searc...arch=Find+book

[Marc1]

VInegar is a good idea. If everything fails, try oxalic acid.

[Sea Q]

Originally Posted by SV_Crucible

Cool, I have some left over, will give it a shot. Thanks!

One new boat owner in Australia some how plugged his vent line and the tank sort of cracked in half spilling every thing in the bilge area.
he wetted the area down with just a little water and sprinkled a little Noflex were he could get to. Then he scrubbed lightly with a brush and then rinsed the area down just a little after a couple of hours .
Fixed him up great

[gonesail]

seems like a holding tank treatment (like noflex) would work well in this case too .. cleaning and deodorizing at the same time. or just go with the strong bleach solution (with gloves) to sanitize it.

[GuyFromTheNorth]

There are a few different types of vinegar. If you look in most hardware store cleaning solution aisles there is a "cleaner grade" vinegar that is a higher percentage of acid than the food stuff.

It works well, even flushed down the head lines every now and then. It also is the only stuff I've found that removes the "old rotten sock smell" that all these wicking sport fabrics get over time.