I am remodeling a beach house in northern Indiana and am seeking to refinish a concrete floor that was covered with carpet squares. The adhesive/mastic is a thin tarry material. I tried to remove it with paint thinner with modest success. I rented a floor grinder with the hope of taking off the remaining adhesive and grinding the concrete to prepare it for an epoxy finish. Unfortunately, all the grinder did was spray the adhesive around the room. (See attached picture.) What is the best option for removing the adhesive?
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Seeking Tips for Removing Adhesive/Mastic
- Thread starter SCTrout
- Start date
Toxictom
Well-known member
Try something like Orange-Sol or another citrus based solvent. I've used it to remove mastic containing asbestos and it worked pretty good.
Bluedodge
Well-known member
If the floor had 2'x2' carpet tiles (school, medical, old folk's home type) you're fighting an uphill battle. The glue used on those is designed to never completely cure. That way if a kid pukes on a square, the janitor can pull up a square, replace it, and call it good.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
That is "cut back" adhesive. It does contain some asbestos so you do NOT want to make it airborne !
I have dealt with it twice and the is only one solvent that will remove it, Sentinel 747. Follow the directions !
I did my laundry room twice, but I did not get much additional off on the second pass. It was still not perfectly "clean". I etched and applied epoxy and it came out great.
Not me. Adhesive remover showdown - Part 4
I have dealt with it twice and the is only one solvent that will remove it, Sentinel 747. Follow the directions !
- Scrape of any "chunks".
- Apply to an area about 4x4 and let sit for 20-30 minutes.
- Wipe off the liquid with blue paper shop towels. Yes, you will use hundreds of towels !
I did my laundry room twice, but I did not get much additional off on the second pass. It was still not perfectly "clean". I etched and applied epoxy and it came out great.
Not me. Adhesive remover showdown - Part 4
tncatadjuster
Well-known member
Citrus based solvent and lots of sawdust, scrub it in with floor buffer and pad. It takes several applications, the sawdust consumes the tar. Not easy but I’ve done it several times.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Citrus based solvent and lots of sawdust, scrub it in with floor buffer and pad. It takes several applications, the sawdust consumes the tar. Not easy but I’ve done it several times.
The Sentinel 747 is MUCH EASIER !
tncatadjuster
Well-known member
The Sentinel 747 is MUCH EASIER !
I bet it is better, years ago we used solvents with a low flammability, this seems high if I read the SDS sheet right. Safety first, I don't remember any issues with citrus other than slow and slightly expensive.
75gmck25
Well-known member
I also remember seeing recommendations for a soybean-based solvent to remove cutback adhesive. However, I don't remember the name.
Bruce
Bruce
38 Dodge Coupe
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I agree with Armorpoxy's recommendation. I have used that soy based product successfully. It has a pleasant citrus odor and is a nontoxic soy based product. It does a good job of removing black mastic. The product was formerly known as BEAN-e-doo Mastic Remover and is now called BLUE BEAR Mastic Remover for Concrete Surfaces. It is made by Franmar. I bought 5 gallon pail to do a 350 sq ft basement and did not have a lot left over. I also used clay based kitty litter to soak up the softened mastic. If I do this again I would get some shoes with cleats to keep from stepping in the softened mastic and tracking the mess around my project. ( ask me how I know that)
Good luck.
Good luck.