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Oil absorbent bilge pads

Discussion in 'Technical Discussion' started by 30West, Apr 16, 2018.

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  1. 30West

    30West Member

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    I'm looking for pads to leave under each engine in the bilge, anyone using such pads? These don't absorb water, just oil, so they float and allow water to pass under, skimming any oil off if there is any.

    I'd prefer white, not the black garage floor ones, and big enough to cover the areas under the engines and generator. I could just put pigs in the bilge, but big sheets under the engines would catch drips before they stain the fiberglass, just seem like they'll keep things cleaner if I ever do have drips.

    I've found these refill pads, six-pack for $37. They say they'll hold up to foot traffic, so should be durable in my bilge. I don't need six, but I'm sure I'll find other boaters who wouldn't mind my extras for free. https://www.newpig.com/refill-for-pig-outdoor-drip-pad-system/p/MAT4306
  2. captholli

    captholli Senior Member

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    3-M oil sorbent pads. 3-M produces a good product but there are less expensive versions out there. Expect to pay $.75 to $1.00 per pad. purchasing a bale or a case of 100 will save a little but not much.
  3. 30West

    30West Member

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    I looked at 3M, their bigger pads seem to be thinner, for cleaning things. I'm looking for pads that are a little thicker and stiffer so they don't fold up or blow around. I'll need to cut one to fit in the drip pan under my genset, the others can just lay under the engines on the floor of the bilge.

    I worked on a lot of boats with oily bilges years ago, impossible to get them clean once they've gotten that oily stain. Now that I actually own a boat I'm cleaning, I'd really like to avoid that work.
    .
    PigPad.JPG
  4. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Almost every marine supplier have these pads. they also sell a "sock" that you can put in your bilge if you are worried about oil there.
  5. bobhorn

    bobhorn Member

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    McMaster-Carr has them in bulk.
  6. 30West

    30West Member

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    I did look at McMaster, my shop orders from them every day so I'd pay no shipping. Their larger pads are thin, "can be used to wipe off equipment".

    West Marine has the same thing, thin sheets, and same at some other suppliers I checked.

    The Pig sheets I'm looking at are thicker, capable of handling foot traffic, won't blow into my belts or fold up in the bottom of the bilge.

    I have socks at work that would cost next to nothing if I want to go that way, but I think I prefer a bigger pad. Just wondering if anyone else had tried pads and what they thought. My boat came with pads under the engines, probably from the yacht maintenance company contracted to maintain it. I pulled them out and set them aside, and they ended up in the trash. Looking back, they seem like a better way to keep my bilge clean. Those had finished edges, and were wider than I can find online, I'd like to find those.
  7. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    You may be looking at the wrong pads. IMO there is no way to confuse a bilge pad with an engine wipe?
  8. 30West

    30West Member

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    Perhaps I am, I've searched with variations of "oil absorbent" and just get the thin sheets and socks or "pigs".

    I thought this would be easy when my original pads were thrown away, they seemed like such a good idea I figured they'd be popular and widely available. The ones in my link seem like what I'm after, and cheap enough. I might get a three-pack of slightly smaller pads for cheaper yet. I'm not hearing anyone here has used pads in their bilge, so I guess they aren't as common as I thought.
  9. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    They are very common. Anyone who cares for a clean bilge uses them religiously. I have drip pans below my motors and they always have pads lining them. Do you have a supply store near you so you can see you actual purchase?
  10. 30West

    30West Member

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    There are some smaller industrial supply stores here, and I occasionally go past some bigger ones. I've ordered some, will just have to see how they work. I don't have drip pans, I'm hoping these will be rigid enough to stay in place in the angled bottom of my bilge, and big enough to cover the area under my engines.
  11. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    Try the Uline web site. Nice selection
  12. Capt J

    Capt J Senior Member

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    The 3M pads are like 5/16" thick and do NOT blow around. They're a little over $1 each and pretty much what everyone uses.
  13. Sea Gull

    Sea Gull Member

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    I buy them from New Pig, 100 at a time. Great product and fair price.
  14. ranger58sb

    ranger58sb Senior member

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    Try searching for "oil sorb pads" and see if you like some of those (if you haven't seen the same things already).

    I think the ones we use are maybe slightly less than 1/4" thick. Most recent purchase was a package of 5 from West Marine since I was already there getting something else.

    -Chris
  15. dreic2208

    dreic2208 New Member

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    The 3M pads work fine and stay in place. Add more if you want a thicker pad. Line your pan with them and being white. you can tell if there is a leak and where.
    Doug