: I just cleaned the crude oil off my kayak and paddle.
: Alcohol--little effect
: Lacquer Thinner--made short work of it.
: I used an old kitchen sponge green scrubber--that worked well too.
: Surfaces were epoxy no varnish.
: also took it right off black anodized rudder blade

: I know for birds they use Dawn dish washing liquid and water.

Back on the Exxon Valdez spill we used a lot of things, but most of the citrus cleaners were pretty good (go jo hand cleaner is nice but watch out for the grit on some finishes. I don't think it is actually pumice as I have used it on fiberglass , works more like a fine rubbing compound. test it first YMMV )