Hydraulic Fluid cleanup

[Kscardsfan]

Does anyone have a recommended way to clean hydraulic fluid out of a truck bed and off the bumper? We had to transport a broken cylinder to the dealership to try and match it with a new one and it leaked out all over the bed of the truck it was riding in and has made a hell of a mess. Dawn dish soap, Carb or brake cleaner, and car wash soap have all been brought up but none of us know what would work best and what would just be ******* in the wind.

 

[Firebrick43]

It’s a 20-30 weight oil.

Dawn and a power washer/diy car wash wand should take it out. Simple green and a power washer should take it out . Don’t use carb cleaner or brake cleaner on paint.

Diluted purple power or similar will also work. Don’t use it straight as it can be hard on paint if used full strength.

 

[larry_g]

Soap and hot water.

lg

 

[whateg01]

Sop up what you can with rags, paper towels, or even oil dry/Kitty litter. That'll make it less of a mess and less time with the soap and water.

 

[Rockable]

I vote purple power and pressure washer. I would just spray the bed, then spray the purple power on it and scrub it around with something like a tire brush. That should dilute it adequately but don't let it sit too long. Then, hit it with the pressure washer. It might take more than one application. Purple power is my go to for stuff like this.

 

[elmer]

Wipe it up with a towel then oil soak/kitty litter. Wait a day and then hot soapy dawn and water.

 

[Rockable]

After reading Whatego01's response, I agree. I recently bought some "Oil Dri" from Advance that is basically really dry sawdust. It absorbs oil faster than clay (kitty litter) I would use that first, then have a go with the Purple Power.

 

[Kscardsfan]

I actually tossed a bunch of saw dust on it as soon as it was discovered just so it would soak it up and prevent a bigger mess. I guess my instincts are good.

 

[4xdog]

Another vote for SuperClean or one of its purple equivalents.

 

[no704]

Just take it to the quarter wash.

 

[RedneckWelder]

Purple power or similar and a HOT water pressure wash works best. Cold water will also get it done but may take a couple of applications. A brush to agitate once the degreaser or soap is applied helps too.

If whatever dealer you took it to has a wash rack, I’d ask them to use it if they don’t mind. I sprayed off many a customer’s truck bed or trailer if they asked nicely.

 

[seber]

I use sawdust and gasoline to clean my garage floor. It pulls the oil out of the very poorly done concrete.

 

[whateg01]

I use sawdust and gasoline to clean my garage floor. It pulls the oil out of the very poorly done concrete.

I'm going out on a limb and supposing OP isn't going to douse his truck in gasoline!

 

[PCustoms]

I use sawdust and gasoline to clean my garage floor. It pulls the oil out of the very poorly done concrete.

The guys freaking out about a little kerosene and grease are gonna have a field day with this.....

 

[johninct]

If your paint is really good, you don't want to put any sawdust, kitty litter in it because it can scratch it. A pressure washer can cause damage too. Gently mop it out with a rag , wash it out gently with simple green mixed with water and then use an automotive paint prep solvent on a rag.

 

[whateg01]

If your paint is really good, you don't want to put any sawdust, kitty litter in it because it can scratch it. A pressure washer can cause damage too. Gently mop it out with a rag , wash it out gently with simple green mixed with water and then use an automotive paint prep solvent on a rag.

I gotta believe if the paint was that good, op wouldn't have put a hydraulic cylinder in the bed without something to protect it.

Speaking of which, I don't know how big the cylinder is, but I have a concrete mixing tub that I use for stuff that might leak. I know they've been mentioned for other uses before, too. They are very versatile. Everybody should keep one around.

 

[BrandonV]

Another vote for an absorbent (kitty litter, etc.) and then any degreaser/solvent should work.

I've used this combination for a leaking hydraulic elevator.

 

[seber]

I'm going out on a limb and supposing OP isn't going to douse his truck in gasoline!

All of the solvents mentioned are at least as flammable as gasolline. For some reason people seem to think only gasoline is dangerous.

 

[whateg01]

All of the solvents mentioned are at least as flammable as gasolline. For some reason people seem to think only gasoline is dangerous.

Who said anything about fire?

 

[PCustoms]

All of the solvents mentioned are at least as flammable as gasolline. For some reason people seem to think only gasoline is dangerous.

I think you're the only one that mentioned a solvent or gas?

 

[Kscardsfan]

I gotta believe if the paint was that good, op wouldn't have put a hydraulic cylinder in the bed without something to protect it.

Speaking of which, I don't know how big the cylinder is, but I have a concrete mixing tub that I use for stuff that might leak. I know they've been mentioned for other uses before, too. They are very versatile. Everybody should keep one around.

Might have to find a feed tub or something similar to use in that application.

 

[purplezr2]

I would kitty litter, sweep that out, then hot water and lots of dawn dish soap.