Cleaning stains off untreated concrete

[Dreamshop]

So my shop floor is 8 months old. It was poured in the fall and as a result of that and not having water there yet, I wasn't able to seal it right away. It had leaves fall on it during construction of which I tried my best to clean them off daily, as well as some unfortunate small oil spills/drips and one fairly large oil spill during the setup of my hoists.

I cannot get any of these stains out. I have tried:

MCI-2601 (bought from the concrete supplier)
3D Grand Blast Degreaser
TSP

All with a 15* 3200PSI pressure washer. None of these has even taken out the leaves staining. That rust looking spot was leaves as well. I'm trying to get this cleaned up so I can apply a densifier and sealer.

Any suggestions?

 

[craigdt]

I'm interested in this too.
Hopefully you get some good feedback

 

[Walkers]

There are a handful of products like Chomp Pull it Out. You put them on and let sit overnight. They dry into a powder. I have had varying degrees of luck with them from awesome to, okay.

 

[Garage Flooring]

So my shop floor is 8 months old. It was poured in the fall and as a result of that and not having water there yet, I wasn't able to seal it right away. It had leaves fall on it during construction of which I tried my best to clean them off daily, as well as some unfortunate small oil spills/drips and one fairly large oil spill during the setup of my hoists.

I cannot get any of these stains out. I have tried:

MCI-2601 (bought from the concrete supplier)
3D Grand Blast Degreaser
TSP

All with a 15* 3200PSI pressure washer. None of these has even taken out the leaves staining. That rust looking spot was leaves as well. I'm trying to get this cleaned up so I can apply a densifier and sealer.

Any suggestions?

First, you have to understand that Rust will require a different cleaning process than most other stains. I do not carry a rust remover at this point. This is what we use in our detail shop https://www.garageflooringllc.com/product/industrial-floor-cleaner/ . Pretreat stains the day before with straight cleaner.

Next day 4:1 and agitate with a deck brush or floor scrubber.

Power wash off

Simply can't guarantee results on any cleaner. Every floor is different.

If oil stains don't come out Ghostshield has a good product for those areas

 

[Garcky]

First, you have to understand that Rust will require a different cleaning process than most other stains. I do not carry a rust remover at this point. This is what we use in our detail shop https://www.garageflooringllc.com/product/industrial-floor-cleaner/ . Pretreat stains the day before with straight cleaner.

Next day 4:1 and agitate with a deck brush or floor scrubber.

Power wash off

Simply can't guarantee results on any cleaner. Every floor is different.

If oil stains don't come out Ghostshield has a good product for those areas

Tiles. Or Racedeck. That'll cover those stains up.

 

[Garage Flooring]

Definitely

 

[Garage Flooring]

Definitely

 

[volpster31]

i bought chomp and it worked awesome...i had stains on conrete outside in front of the garage and theyre now gone...i only used it once,but it worked

 

[FredWanaker]

have stains along a walkway and driveway into the garage. I think they are manganese dioxide stains from fertilizing. Some came off with H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide) but some did not. I also hit them with vinegar. Next will be the pressure washer but I think they are in the concrete at this point, not on it. In clothes the 3% H2O2 works within seconds to neutralize it, and on an outside wall near the stains it worked within seconds too. 3% H2O2 is available at 4 gallons for about $35 delivered but when one goes up to say 30% stuff the price skyrockets, and one has to be really careful with it. It took 2 gallons of 3% to hit all the stains out front. Any ideas at an affordable price?

 

[FredWanaker]

update - combining 5% vinegar and 3% Hydrogen Peroxide makes a nasty acid, however GSA recommends it on government concrete walkways. I poured a little H2O2 and Vinegar on the biggest stain, it was gone in 5 seconds, then thoroughly rinsed. Using either by themselves did nothing. I suspect the organic material on the driveway neutralizes the H2O2 by itself before it can work.

 

[pahummel]

Bleach will remove leaf stains or anything organic almost instantly

 

[Dreamshop]

I have discovered that. As does clr. Still struggling with the oil stains.

 

[p00p]

I have discovered that. As does clr. Still struggling with the oil stains.

Might be able to soak the oil spot with brake parts cleaner & immediately hose it clean. A few cans might be required.

 

[Dreamshop]

Might be able to soak the oil spot with brake parts cleaner & immediately hose it clean. A few cans might be required.

Tried it. It's soaked in there pretty good

 

[p00p]

Try the epoxy etching chemical and then power wash it off?

 

[Dreamshop]

Try the epoxy etching chemical and then power wash it off?

Roulsnt that make a mess of the concrete if leaving it natural?

 

[welder4956]

For the oil stains, I have used acetone to lift the oil with cat litter to absorb it. Worth a try.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have had good luck using either Drive Up or Greased Lightning. Apply undiluted and brush in lightly. If you are in direct sun, wait until dusk. In the AM, rinse with a hose.

Occasionally, I have had to do a second application, but wait until the concrete is completely dry.

 

[Jgaz]

This is my new favorite for cleaning concrete.

Note: This is a different product than their dish soaps

 

[Dreamshop]

This is my new favorite for cleaning concrete.

Note: This is a different product than their dish soaps

I'll have to check that out! Wonder if it's available in Canada...

 

[alteredimage]

!st post here.

For oil, use kitty litter grind in to a dust with your shoes. Sweep up.

cliff

 

[FredWanaker]

For oil I've found that soaking the area in mineral spirits or acetone for a short while, then soak with soap and water. The mineral spirits will thin the oil, then the soap and water will soak under it and float it. You may have to do it several times over a month or two for most of it to go away. Make sure all pilot lights in the garage are off and lots of ventilation. Acetone and mineral spirits vapors are explosive.

 

[BiaoBamosux]

I tried a bunch of home methods with limited success, but what really worked for me was scheduling a professional deep cleaning. The crew had the right equipment and got rid of stains I couldn’t budge on my own. It wasn’t that expensive either, and way easier than scrubbing for hours with mixed results. Especially helpful if you're dealing with older stains that have soaked in over time.

 

[mjeff87]

I had a small-ish oil stain in my driveway that was *really* affecting my OCD (lol). Reading this thread a couple weeks ago I figured I'd try that Chomp stuff. It took about 90% of it off....good enough to calm my nerves. I put two applications on it. I give the product 4 out of 5 stars, well worth the $20 it cost me off Amazon (can't find it locally anywhere). It comes in a quart bottle, I've got enough left over for the rest of my life, barring some major oil leak(s) in the future.