Epoxy coat floor cleaning

[formek]

Ok for the last few weeks it seems that quite a few Epoxy coat floors were put down. Now for my big question How do you clean stains? Yes my floor is only a week old and I spilled PVC cleaner on the floor (you know the Purple stuff for gluing PVC pipe together) I wiped it up right a way with a shop rag but you can still see it.

I went to the Epoxy coat web site I thought I remembered a cleaning solution but could not find much. I know I can call Epoxy coat but thought I would post the question here first.

 

[Edger]

If all else fails....

I think acetone is the solvent for that product. You need to use the solvent for the product to be able to remove it.

The trick is to dissolve the thin layer of blue glue completely and then quickly wipe it all up before the solvent is able to soften the epoxy. The epoxy is much thicker and very resistant to solvents, but those solvents are quite aggressive and the epoxy will eventually be affected. If you have a thin clear coat on top you should not try this method because it may be removed.

Most epoxies have data sheets the indicate a softening/swelling with strong solvents over a certain time period, but my experience is that they swell a bit and a day later are as good as new.

If you are serious about doing it this way you should (like all good housewives using a new fabric cleaner) test in an inconspicuous area first. Try a drop or two for 2 mins, 4 mins and 10 mins, testing with a sharp scraper to see if it softens and how long it takes, keeping it wet, then you will know your time window.

Off the top of my head, I would not like to leave it on for more than 2 mins without testing. We used to apply strong paint strippers on top of many different painted surfaces (nowhere near as strong as epoxy) to remove graffiti and blast it off with a pressure washer. Most of the time it was successful, but I advise the tiny test because you would not want to take a chance on ruining your good floor coating.

 

[Perry H]

I have something on mine as well and it is bonded unbelievably well. I'm very frustrated because my floor came out beautiful.

I had some contractors doing work on my house and they apparently laid something down that drained a white mess onto the floor. My best guess is a wet paint brush, with white exterior house paint, but I have proved I can cut that with mineral spirits so I'm not sure unless the paint has reacted with the epoxy.

Mineral spirits, acetone, and carb/choke cleaner so far haven't worked.

I can't scrape it off without taking the epoxy with it. Any ideas before I break out the sand paper (which will ruin the gloss on the epoxy).

 

[Edger]

We are getting into dangerous waters here..

If you really want to try something else you can use paint stripper WITH CAUTION.

It has to be Methylene Chloride based stripper and you have to do a test. This is not for dirt-based stains, it is only for paint based stains.

You put a heavy drop - less than half a fingernail size of the paint stripper onto the (paint) stain as thick as it will stay there, leave it for 30 seconds and then move it a little with a small scraper, screwdriver etc. to see if the stain material softens and moves, but not hard enough to scratch the epoxy. Keep moving it every 5 seconds until one minute is up and remove it with a dry cloth and then wipe it with a wet cloth.

Dry the spot and see if you can detect any softening of the stain material or epoxy after you have cleaned off the stripper. Even try scrubbing it with a heavy bristle brush that will not scratch the epoxy.

Doing it this way and looking at it again the next day will tell you if it is going to work and if it will soften the epoxy. Risky business, but if it works you can remove the stain without damaging the epoxy.

 

[flyng_fool]

I have something on mine as well and it is bonded unbelievably well. I'm very frustrated because my floor came out beautiful.

I had some contractors doing work on my house and they apparently laid something down that drained a white mess onto the floor. My best guess is a wet paint brush, with white exterior house paint, but I have proved I can cut that with mineral spirits so I'm not sure unless the paint has reacted with the epoxy.

Mineral spirits, acetone, and carb/choke cleaner so far haven't worked.

I can't scrape it off without taking the epoxy with it. Any ideas before I break out the sand paper (which will ruin the gloss on the epoxy).

Are you sure they used oil based paint on the exterior? Most everyone uses latex these days. Try denatured alcohol on it.

 

[rugerlady]

Try some very fine steel wool, you can touch up the clear if need be.

 

[Perry H]

I'm going to start my own thread instead of hijacking formek's (sorry). I'll edit this post with a link to it when I have it posted. After further inspection I don't think it was anything the contractor's used.

My thread...
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=106701

 

[formek]

I'm going to start my own thread instead of hijacking formek's (sorry). I'll edit this post with a link to it when I have it posted. After further inspection I don't think it was anything the contractor's used.

There is no need I am good with it. Thank you for the thoughts.