"Pre-Oiled" Garage Floor - Am I Psycho?

[Garage4Life]

Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

Good morning ladies and gents of Garage Journal,

I am a fairly new member and this is my first post. I live in Colorado and love sports cars, motorcycles and really anything that burns gas and hauls @ss. I enjoy working on them as much as driving/riding, and believe the garage to be the best room of the house. I am blessed with a three car garage which I insulated, sheetrocked and texured by myself last summer. I installed RaceDeck Free-Flow tiling last summer and have been loving it this winter with the snow/ice melting off and flowing out. See attached photo of my garage and some friends. My work in the garage has resulted in multiple oil spills/drips which have soaked into the concrete with dark stains. When I have a spill I pull up the necessary tiles and wipe the floor down, but the stain is there and obviously not easy to get out. I am not switching to solid RaceDeck tiles as I love my my Free-Flows for the winter drainage functionality. Anyways, my wife and I are building a new house and selling our existing one. I plan to remove the RaceDeck tiling from my existing garage and into the new garage. Before I lay down the RaceDeck in the new garage I had an idea which I'd like all of your opinions on. In preparation for the inevitable oil spills, would it be beneficial to "pre-oil" the garage floor before I lay my RaceDeck tiles? I envision spraying a coat of light weight mineral or vegetable oil on the new concrete floor, let it soak in for a day, then thoroughly wipe dry. I would use a 2 gallon sprayer bottle (garden herbicide type). This "pre-oil" would create a consistent tone to the concrete surface. Most importantly, it would fill in the concrete's surface porosity, so that when motor oil is spilled, the concrete pores will already be saturated and the dark motor oil won't soak in. What do you guys think about this? The new garage floor will be entirely covered in RaceDeck tiling and at no time will be bare. I plan to pull the tile out every 3-5 years for a full cleaning. http://s892.photobucket.com/user/Lemer8/media/Garage1.jpg.html

 

[dfiler2]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

Not sure but using a vegetable oil may make it smell rancid after a while or at least like a Mcdonalds.

 

[Garage4Life]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

Not sure but using a vegetable oil may make it smell rancid after a while or at least like a Mcdonalds.

You may have a good point there. A mineral oil may be the route to go.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

Commercial garage floor paint under the Race Deck?

Tommy

 

[Garage4Life]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

Commercial garage floor paint under the Race Deck?

Thanks but I'm either going to pre-oil the floor or just leave it bare. I have experience with paint and it is labor-intensive as well as expensive.

 

[Jagmandave]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

Why not just use a good seal coat to keep the oil from being able to soak in and make it easier to wipe up?

 

[LX-Markham]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

the concrete pores will already be saturated and the dark motor oil won't soak in.

If the goal is purely esthetic to achieve a consistent appearance.... why not just use the dirty old motor oil. That way future motor oil spills will just blend in

 

[Garage4Life]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

Why not just use a good seal coat to keep the oil from being able to soak in and make it easier to wipe up?

I guess my idea was to apply something that can't flake off someday. I've had bad experiences with coating garage floors and I want to avoid the prep labor and cost that come with it. I know my "pre-oil" concept is foreign, but I'm looking to find out if it might be the way to go for the guy with polymer tiles.

 

[Jeff Ivers]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

I think you would be better off applying concrete sealer. I don't think your oil idea will result in a consistent appearance.

 

[Garage4Life]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

If the goal is purely esthetic to achieve a consistent appearance.... why not just use the dirty old motor oil. That way future motor oil spills will just blend in

Correct LX-Markham, in the end my goal is mostly aesthetic. If the whole floor was a consistent "dirty motor oil" color then I wouldn't have to worry about a spill!!! Clever. However, dirty motor oil stinks and has acidic properties that may cause long-term damage to the concrete surface. I'd prefer to fill the surface porosity with a clean, fairly neutral pH oil, if you catch my drift.

 

[jaye944]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

interesting, people on the flooring forum section spend ages trying to get oil out of concrete and here we have a punter trying to get some in... oh well it takes all types I guess

Also not too sure of the environmental concerns with putting oil into a porous material such as concrete.

Oil, well, motor oil at least also has carcinogenic components.

 

[Garage4Life]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

interesting, people on the flooring forum section spend ages trying to get oil out of concrete and here we have a punter trying to get some in... oh well it takes all types I guess

Also not too sure of the environmental concerns with putting oil into a porous material such as concrete.

Oil, well, motor oil at least also has carcinogenic components.

Well you know what they say... if you can't beat 'em, join 'em!!! Beating oil stains, that is.

 

[Garage4Life]

Good afternoon ladies and gents of Garage Journal,

I am a fairly new member and this is my second thread I've started. I live in Colorado and love sports cars, motorcycles and really anything that burns gas and hauls @ss. I enjoy working on them as much as driving/riding, and believe the garage to be the best room of the house. I am blessed with a three car garage which I insulated, sheetrocked and texured by myself last summer. I installed RaceDeck Free-Flow tiling last summer and have been loving it this winter with the snow/ice melting off and flowing out. See attached photo of my garage and some friends. My work in the garage has resulted in multiple oil spills/drips which have soaked into the dry untreated concrete, creating dark stains. When I have a spill I pull up the necessary tiles and wipe the floor down, but the stain is there and obviously not easy to get out. For those of you not familiar with the Free-Flow tiles I have to say that you cannot see an oil stain below them, unless you are standing directly over the stain. I am a just a little **** when it comes to stains. I am not switching to solid RaceDeck tiles as I love my my Free-Flows for the winter drainage functionality. Anyways, my wife and I are building a new house and selling our existing one. I plan to remove the RaceDeck tiling from my existing garage and install in the new garage. Before I lay down the RaceDeck in the new garage I had an idea which I'd like all of your opinions on. In preparation for the inevitable oil spills, would it be beneficial to "pre-oil" the garage floor before I lay my RaceDeck tiles? I envision spraying a coat of light weight mineral oil (neutral pH and safe health-wise) on the new concrete floor, let it soak in for a day, then thoroughly wipe the floor dry so there's little-to-no oil residue. I would use a 2 gallon sprayer bottle (garden type). This "pre-oil" would create a reasonably consistent tone to the concrete surface. Most importantly, it would fill in the concrete's surface porosity, so that when motor oil is spilled, the concrete pores will have already been saturated and the dark motor oil won't soak in. The new garage floor will be entirely covered in RaceDeck tiling and at no time will it be bare. I plan to pull the tile out every 3-5 years for a vacuuming, soap scrub and rinse. I originally posted this question in the general section on accident, please forgive me. What do you guys think about this idea I have? As a side note, I am not interested in laying down paint, epoxy or sealers on my new floor. I'm either going to pre-oil it or leave it bare.

 

[MotoDave]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

I think Epoxy floor is the correct way to do this, that way the poil won't soak in and you can wipe it up when you pull the tiles. A proper Epoxy floor coating is way different than concrete paint, you may be getting your products confused. I wouldn't do paint either. Sealer may work as well.

But you don't seem interested in the right way to do it, so I vote for used gear oil, just so you get that lovely smell every time you're out there.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

Commercial garage floor paint under the Race Deck?

Thanks but I'm either going to pre-oil the floor or just leave it bare. I have experience with paint and it is labor-intensive as well as expensive.

Ok, It was just a thought. We used to use a battleship grey concrete sealer in the pharmaceutcal coompany I worked for. Got it from Red Devil & it was not much more than about $40.00 for 5 gallons. Of course, that was 16 some odd years ago...

Tommy

 

[Garage Flooring]

Good afternoon ladies and gents of Garage Journal,

I am a fairly new member and this is my second thread I've started. I live in Colorado and love sports cars, motorcycles and really anything that burns gas and hauls @ss. I enjoy working on them as much as driving/riding, and believe the garage to be the best room of the house. I am blessed with a three car garage which I insulated, sheetrocked and texured by myself last summer. I installed RaceDeck Free-Flow tiling last summer and have been loving it this winter with the snow/ice melting off and flowing out. See attached photo of my garage and some friends. My work in the garage has resulted in multiple oil spills/drips which have soaked into the dry untreated concrete, creating dark stains. When I have a spill I pull up the necessary tiles and wipe the floor down, but the stain is there and obviously not easy to get out. For those of you not familiar with the Free-Flow tiles I have to say that you cannot see an oil stain below them, unless you are standing directly over the stain. I am a just a little **** when it comes to stains. I am not switching to solid RaceDeck tiles as I love my my Free-Flows for the winter drainage functionality. Anyways, my wife and I are building a new house and selling our existing one. I plan to remove the RaceDeck tiling from my existing garage and install in the new garage. Before I lay down the RaceDeck in the new garage I had an idea which I'd like all of your opinions on. In preparation for the inevitable oil spills, would it be beneficial to "pre-oil" the garage floor before I lay my RaceDeck tiles? I envision spraying a coat of light weight mineral oil (neutral pH and safe health-wise) on the new concrete floor, let it soak in for a day, then thoroughly wipe the floor dry so there's little-to-no oil residue. I would use a 2 gallon sprayer bottle (garden type). This "pre-oil" would create a reasonably consistent tone to the concrete surface. Most importantly, it would fill in the concrete's surface porosity, so that when motor oil is spilled, the concrete pores will have already been saturated and the dark motor oil won't soak in. The new garage floor will be entirely covered in RaceDeck tiling and at no time will it be bare. I plan to pull the tile out every 3-5 years for a vacuuming, soap scrub and rinse. I originally posted this question in the general section on accident, please forgive me. What do you guys think about this idea I have? As a side note, I am not interested in laying down paint, epoxy or sealers on my new floor. I'm either going to pre-oil it or leave it bare.

I'm subscribing. Curious to see what people say.

 

[Shea]

Just lay down the black synthetic landscape fabric instead. It's cheap, it will create a nice even appearance or background look to the underside of the floor, and it will hide any oil stains that are created underneath if oil leaks through to the concrete.

 

[premierplayer]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

I think Epoxy floor is the correct way to do this, that way the poil won't soak in and you can wipe it up when you pull the tiles. A proper Epoxy floor coating is way different than concrete paint, you may be getting your products confused. I wouldn't do paint either. Sealer may work as well.

But you don't seem interested in the right way to do it, so I vote for used gear oil, just so you get that lovely smell every time you're out there.

I vote an epoxie coating also, very good experience with these at work.
Covered with RaceDeck should last a lifetime, or more...
Ask your concrete supplier for product options.

 

[Garage4Life]

I'm subscribing. Curious to see what people say.

Ha! I know this idea of mine is unconventional and I ask that the experts on this forum keep an open mind. I guess this "pre-oil" idea is similar to using fire to fight fire... errr... oil to fight oil !!!

 

[67rstbkt]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

I vote to begin doing oil changes by allowing the old oil to just spill directly onto the garage floor. Follow up with a paint roller and all should be good.

 

[Garage4Life]

Just lay down the black synthetic landscape fabric instead. It's cheap, it will create a nice even appearance or background look to the underside of the floor, and it will hide any oil stains that are created underneath if oil leaks through to the concrete.

That is true, a fabric would hide it well. However someday when we inevitably move again I will remove the RaceDeck and fabric, and the dark oil stains will be everywhere.

I guess what I'm looking for is comments on the negative effects to coating the whole garage floor as described with a light mineral oil.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Threads merged.

 

[Garage4Life]

Threads merged.

Thanks for helping this newbie out, Eric.

 

[AndrewV]

Stain the concrete, then top coat with your choice.

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

I vote for an acrylic sealer with the landscape fabric on top.

 

[ProCharger]

You could try lin-seal.....its an oil base sealer (linseed oil) we use on commercial parking lots from time to time. I apply it with a commercial air paint sprayer with the proper tip but you could roll it on as well. Im not sure what it would do with other oils but its purpose is to keep concrete from absorbing water, salts, etc. to prolong the life. It is a penetrating sealer as well.

 

[Jsf721]

Miracle sealants makes a product called 511 impregnator. The solvent is good for oil.

Check it out on line. I believe you can buy at home depot. I use the water based version on all the grout in my bathrooms.

 

[jnkpile]

"Pre-Oiled" Garage Floor - Am I Psycho?

Heeeeyyyyy!! look at that, a positive response from someone(s) with practical experience related to the op's question. I love it! The gear oil idea would definitely create a unique atmosphere, akin to the acquired taste of blue cheese lovers

 

[Peter Mc Mahon]

What about dark coffee? I have seen that ( always with a sealer on it though) might be worth a test

 

[Garage4Life]

Now that's what I'm talking about!!! Thank you for the linseed oil and 511 impregnator ideas. These may work out great. Only concern I have now is how many weeks to wait after the concrete is poured before applying product? I'm estimating the concrete to be poured around September in Denver CO.

 

[bczygan]

Re: Pre-Oiling Garage Floor?

If the goal is purely esthetic to achieve a consistent appearance.... why not just use the dirty old motor oil. That way future motor oil spills will just blend in

That's the way I am going.

Especially after one of those used oil containers leaked it's entire contents all over the floor.

 

[83c10submariner]

Thompsons water seal I don't know if they still sell it but that's what your looking for. seals floor and just leaves it with a sort of wet look when dried.

 

[83c10submariner]

http://www.thompsonswaterseal.com/m...aterproofers/clear-multi-surface-waterproofer

Here is the link

 

[gdh33]

Use a sealer or paint. If you ever sell your house, not sure how many people want an oil soaked concrete pad. Plus the oil will eventually seep into the ground, small environmental concern. Just mho.

 

[Jsf721]

Look up miracle sealants on the web. They have. A 1800 tech service number. They answered all my questions.

Now that's what I'm talking about!!! Thank you for the linseed oil and 511 impregnator ideas. These may work out great. Only concern I have now is how many weeks to wait after the concrete is poured before applying product? I'm estimating the concrete to be poured around September in Denver CO.

 

[AnEv942]

Oil stains may still may still show but if new concrete to be poured - coloring?
Pre oiling as described wouldn't keep more recent oil spills etc from showing or 'uniform'.

If for the next person..what if they decide to coat floor-
Some of the other suggestions might work, but Id leave raw before 'oiling'.

 

[expressline99]

I would be aware that if the concrete doesn't have really good consistency it may act like untreated wood. Perhaps there is a conditioner to be applied first. I've ruined enough porous things trying to do it without conditioner. But if we are talking about it I'm sure it exist! Hopefully easy on labor and your pocketbook.

 

[skelrad]

Interesting idea to pre-oil. Just remember that no matter how well you wipe it up, it's going to be a magnet for dirt.

 

[Garage4Life]

Some very good advice here. Thanks to all of you. In regards to resale, that is a good point that I had thought of as well. My thought was that if I left the concrete "dry" and I worked on vehicles over 5-10 years, there would be so many oil stains everywhere that it would be nearly impossible to get it clean enough for a good epoxy adhesion anyways. I have old motorcycles that leak and get parked in different positions of the garage throughout the year!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Thanks for helping this newbie out, Eric.

No problem, that's what we're here for.