Cleaning concrete floor

[Screw Loose Dan]

I bought a house with 2 car garage a couple months ago. I've been busy taking care of things in the house, but now it's time to start getting settled into the garage. (the real reason I bought the place!)

I've considered various flooring options, epoxy, race deck, tile, etc. But, I think I just want to leave the floor good old fashion concrete for the time being.

But, the previous owner used the garage quite extensively from what I can tell and the flooring is quite dirty. I've already attempted to scrub the floor with a short bristle broom and some degreaser. I was less then impressed once rinsed and dried. The degreaser was some left over all-purpose cleaner I used to use when I detailed cars years ago, but it always did a good job on floors back then.

I should mention the stains on the floor vary from typical looking oil stains to paint over-spray. It appears anytime he needed to spay paint anything with a can, he just put it directly on the floor to shoot it. Also, there is some stuff that appears to be a caulking or some other gooey/sticky substance.

I'm thinking my next steps should be a good (known) degreaser followed by a pressure washing. Suggestions? And if the paint persists, using some paint remover (presume that's safe on concrete?). The sticky stuff, maybe try some goo-gone or paint thinner.

I don't need it to be brand new looking, but I would like it to be reasonably fresh looking (compared to what it looks like now). I want it to be MY dirt and stains on the floor! Any thoughts or comments? I presume I should stay away from etching garage floor cleaners (as used for prep for epoxy)?

Here's a picture (actually before I bought the place), but gives an idea:

Other immediate project is cleaning/painting the *extremely* dirty/dusty walls. *sigh* But, that's probably another thread...

 

[Jayincali]

Subscribing to this thread. Sounds exactly like my floor, would like to clean it as I'm not looking to drop $1200-$2000 floor covering right now.

 

[maryland09]

It is complicated work and i hate it

 

[930dreamer]

I used a floor buffer with the brush and followed up with a pad.

 

[Edger]

You could mix some caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) with water and add white flour to thicken it in a bowl and apply it to the paint stains. Trouble is it is deadly on the skin if left more than a minute or two, you will be blinded if you get a drop in the eye and the environmental problem of proper disposal. I used to remove graffiti with it for many years and never got into any problems because I was careful. The reason you might try it is because it could remove all the paint after 1 hr soaking and cost you $5. If you are tempted ask me for more specific directions - it is cheap, quick and easy, but you must have instructions.