Oil Stains Removal 1

[chicopee]

Does any one know of a cleaning solution that can remove 35 year old oil stains from a concrete floor. We have tried some solutions advertised for that purpose without success.

 

[Ron]

Try methyl ethyl ketone with plenty of ventilation and no sparks.

 

[beton1]

I believe ACI and Concrete Construction have featured some articles on stain removal, and there even may be a publication/book available. Check websites.

 

[RHTPE]

This may sound really corny, but try ordinary (clay) kitty litter under a floor polisher. Grind the kitty litter into the surface of the floor until it's a fine powder and leave it overnight. Vacuum the next day. It may not completely remove it, but it will fade it quite a bit. Might be worth a try before spending money on other pricey items.

I worked in a service station while in high school - had a boss who was anal about having clean work bays. We used to grind the litter into the floor with our shoes. It did make a difference, but then that was done on recent oil spills, not 35 year old oil spills.

Next easiest is probably shot-blasting followed by an epoxy coating.

 

[chicopee]

RHTPE, your idea is not far fetch. I have done this in the past and it worked well however, as you step unto those cleaned up surfaces you can follow the footprints throughout the house.
MEK may well do the job and I'll get some. I just wish I still had Trichloroethylene!!

 

[SlideRuleEra]

A detailed out-of-print document from the Portland Cement Association, "Removing Stains From Concrete" is available on this page of my website:

http://www.slideruleera.net/PCA-Page.html

RHTPE's kitty litter idea is a nice update on the type of poultice that will draw the stain out. Solvents alone will dilute and spread stain thru more of the concrete, making it less visible. The key to removing the stain is to extract as much of the staining material as possible. Both approaches will improve appearance.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[Ron]

chicopee...TCE was great stuff! Wish I had some as well.

My hands might fall off one day, but there were many times in the asphalt lab that I was elbow deep in TCE, cleaning tools and lab equipment.

 

[dik]

Ron... it's not your hands that will fall off <G>.

Dik

 

[Ron]

dik...you're probably right! Geez...not a good thought!

 

[dicksewerrat]

The old oil stains keep water out of the concrete. I knew a guy that sealed his driveway with deisel oil cut with gasoline. It kept that slab nice through 40 Minnesota winters in Mpls. Maybe you should stain the whole thing.

Richard A. Cornelius, P.E.

http://WWW.amlinereast.com

 

[chicopee]

Good material from Portland Cement Association-thks!!