oil stains - pre-prep questions

[jaye944]

oil stains - pre-prep questions !! SOLVED !! I think !

ok
some OLD oil stains; ave started prepping for my epoxy floor coating

I am using a mixture of things; the flubber dust did jack
but the rustoleum oil stain remover was excellant

Finding that whilst the bulk of the oil is gone, there is a lighter shade of stain. 1> will that come out totally 2> if that deosnt will that cause me probs

I'm gonna have with it with some carb cleaner (I heard that was good) and gonna get a steam cleaner and of course etch the floor

but.. as I said; will that stain come out and if not will I screw up the floow?

cheers

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

What happens when water is placed on it?
If it beads, your coating will do similar.

 

[jaye944]

oohhh. I didnt think of that; will try that after I've fiished cleaning it

cheers

What happens when water is placed on it?
If it beads, your coating will do similar.

 

[Trey T]

yah, do the water-bead test. I have oil stain and I can't get rid of it completely unless I put a dent in the floor w/ my hand-grinder, which I don't want to do. I degreased>grinded>degreased again but it still have a light hidden of oil stain in the concrete pores.

 

[ae82gtm]

Hello all,

I have a similar concern. I actually started degreasing my floor today (about 15 mins ago!).
I used the rustoleum "epoxy-shield" degreaser. My floor is new (about 9 months) and there are a few small oil spots, plus one larger one where oil spilt from an oil pan.

I poured the rustoleum product directly on the floor where the spots were. I just sprinkled/splash the rest of the garage and scrubbed away with a stiff bristled broom. Extra scrubbing where the spots were.
After that, used a power washer.

I noticed that the oil spots (especially the big one) doesn't seem much changed. The garage is now drying, but when I run my finger across it, I can definitely feel friction where the concrete is clean, but more slippery where the oil spot is (the floor is still damp, still drying).

Am I doing something wrong? Is there a better product to use?
Is the expectation that the oil stain completely disappears?

Your help is appreciated!

 

[Gerald O]

Try scrubbing with TSP and a stiff brush.

 

[Shea]

Tide a stiff brush work well also. Heavy concentrate. If that doesn't work, Pour-n-Restore is a great product to use on independent oil stains.

 

[ae82gtm]

Thanks for the feedback. I read a bunch of posts last night, and decided to try Valspar's equivalent of Pour-n-restore. Just bought it during lunch break, and will try it tonight. Gotta let the concrete dry first.
Problem is, I need to start etching Wednesday (tomorrow) night to stay on schedule for this week. I really hope this stuff works, cause the rustoelum sure didn't.

 

[bagged89s10]

a local Benjamin Moore paint shop said to clean oil and grease stains with an "oil and grease emulsifier." Apparently it's supposed to convert the oil and grease into a soapy substance and remove the oil and grease. Here is a link to Benjamin Moore's oil and grease emulsifier.

http://www.benjaminmoore.com/en-us/for-contractors/product-catalog?prod=Super_Spec_HP_Specialty_Products#piSheen=P83&tab=3

Here is one of Home Depot which is $18 for a gallon

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Artisan-1-gal-Grease-and-Oil-Emulsifier-99771/203668966

i'll be using one in a few weeks when i start cleaning my garage floor.

 

[drinkmoresake]

+1 on the Pour-n-Restore. I was amazed how well it "pulled" the stubborn oil stains out my floor.

 

[jaye944]

talk about a hijack

ok;

please see the pics heres what I did (not in order)

1> Flubber dust - ****
2> Dawn - ****
3> Rus-oleum - very good; removed a lot of the stuff; still a lot of surface "stain"

4> 2000psi; power washer and detergent; NOPE; took dirt off but not the oil

5> Now; water does not BEAD on any of the oil stains, I didnt try the finger test though

6> One place weirdly where no oil has been; but a bag of cement has just sat there for a while; about a 4" water bead.

please see the pics

 

[jaye944]

was going also to try mister muscle /oven off etc degreaser and leave to soak for a while?

 

[jaye944]

oh and WD40- def does not work either

 

[jaye944]

I think a lot of the problem is that this not not a new stain but oil which has really soaked and stained for at least a year

 

[bagged89s10]

I think a lot of the problem is that this not not a new stain but oil which has really soaked and stained for at least a year

The oil and grease emulsifier is supposed to get oil that has penetrated deep. Try it.

 

[jaye944]

well the mister muscle didnt work
going to pop into home depot on the way home and get some

Try scrubbing with TSP and a stiff brush.

 

[Shea]

Are you trying to remove oil residue in preparation for a coating or just remove the oil spots in general?

 

[jaye944]

no I'm going to epoxy the floor
I've already spent like about $400 bucks for armourcoat, so not wanting to see my results ruined

 

[LegacyIndustrial]

oh and WD40- def does not work either

WD will create a new issue. It is oil based too.

 

[jaye944]

oh **** !

saw a youtube video who used it to remove oil stains

anyway I used some rustoleum on it last night to get the "oven off" and wd40 off, that stuff is pretty good.

I did the finger test and the stains dont feel oil to the touch

Got some TSP last night from Homedepot.

I've seen a good way is to make a paste of it using water and absorbant material such as kitty litter/flubber.

And then apply it, leave it to work and then brush off, so will try that tonight

WD will create a new issue. It is oil based too.

 

[tbaz]

angle grinder with masonry wheel

 

[chris_1001]

What about using carb or brake cleaner?

 

[jaye944]

yes I tried carb cleaner and NOPE

I made up a mix of 50ml of TSP to 1 cup of water and 1 cup of kitty litter
applied last night liberally, then sprinkled on some flubber dust for good measure.

Have left over night and when I get back home this evening the idea is to shovel the **** off and see what happens?

 

[Blazin8556]

subd. i want to do similar to my work shop floor. i try to keep it cleand but when its humid out you can see the oil line running through the shop. (pass through)

 

[jaye944]

ok so the tsp cat litter mix didnt really do much,
I also tried again last night and a scrub no joy
I'm going to try again with more concentrated TSP/hot water sol and scrub and see what happens.

The only thing that is happening is, the area around the oil spils are clean and also the concrete is starting to get like a cracked pattern appearance on the cleaned areas

will get back to you tonight



pissed off is not a word I would use now

 

[ae82gtm]

For what it's worth, I struggled with a stubborn oil stain as well.
What eventually did the trick for me was a bottle of Valspar Oil Stain Remover from Lowe's.
Shake it real well, and then pour out. Then I used a brush and scrubbed well in all directions.
This made the solution even thinner and more "watery". Turns out, that is good, because it will solidify and only when it becomes dry does it truly work well and "pull" the oil from underneath (I also tried just pouring it out on the stain like the instructions tell you to, and even left over night but no big improvement).

Good luck!

 

[bagged89s10]

Have you tried pour n restore or the grease and oil emulsifier yet?

 

[jaye944]

thankxs AE; I know theres a lowes around here somewhere; will google the stor and see if they have it in stock

For what it's worth, I struggled with a stubborn oil stain as well.
What eventually did the trick for me was a bottle of Valspar Oil Stain Remover from Lowe's.
Shake it real well, and then pour out. Then I used a brush and scrubbed well in all directions.
This made the solution even thinner and more "watery". Turns out, that is good, because it will solidify and only when it becomes dry does it truly work well and "pull" the oil from underneath (I also tried just pouring it out on the stain like the instructions tell you to, and even left over night but no big improvement).

Good luck!

 

[jaye944]

not yet; will need to google and see if any of the canuck stores holds it

I'm off for a week, so can concentrate from tommorow on said garage

Have you tried pour n restore or the grease and oil emulsifier yet?

 

[jaye944]

so 2 Lowes near me stocks Valspar; but I cant find anyone in Ontario (GTA) which stocks "pour n restore" apparenly some place in Sarnia (WTF) stocks it

 

[ae82gtm]

I had the same issue. I was looking for PNR, but settled for valspar at Lowes.
Seems to work pretty well with scrubbing and perhaps more than one application.

 

[fteufert]

While it may not be the best way, I use 99% alcohol on small grease spots and light it on fire.

Afterwards water does not bead up on it.

Like I said, although it works, it is not the best way.

 

[jaye944]

ok an update; whilst the TSP politice didnt work, I followed the instructions for making a paste with hot water and scrubbing, I noticed that a oil (?) type of lather on the top, left for 30 minutes then sprinked liberally with kitty litter, now; I found that there are some oil stains which def. came a lot lighter one even went, but the 2 or 3 ********* ones; while seeming to be a "bit" lighter smaller is still stubborn, I've done 2/3 applications and now the foaming has stopped;

Water is NOT beading and I'm pretty certain it doesnt "feel" oily.

I've run outta TSP; but I bought the Valspar and going to try that, will report back wish me luck

BTW... will an angle grinder/orbital sander grind it out? Or will it simply push the oil further in?

I heard some guys get cement and rub that in and it apparently soaks out the oil?

cheers

 

[ae82gtm]

Do remember to shake the valspar well and use a stuff brush to scrub. It helps thin it out, which really helped it dry and soak up the oil in my case.
Best of luck!

 

[jaye944]

Hi all



Valspar; tried it by brushing and leaving it and also last night, and although some of the other oil spots came out; the main ones didnt, so last night I used as directed , that is pour it on and leave it;

So this morning I went out; it hadnt gone powdrey, maybe due to the ammount, but it was like a "custard like sem-dry" after 12 hours

So swept it off and there is now a very DARK grey patch, no water beading, but a few bits in it feel a bit slick

Now I'm not sure what to expect; is this with the oil cleaned out?

I've ordered some pour & restore from a place in Sarnia, who gets it from the states.

pls see the pics and advise?

1st pic is b4 any chemicals
also the camera flash has made the stains "lighter" than they are, but I will concede that they are a lot better than they where b4 fore. But is that good enough?

 

[ae82gtm]

Others may chime in if I am not correct, but I believe if water is not beading up anymore, you have a porous surface, and it will be ready for your next step.

 

[jaye944]

WELL I'LL BE ****** WELL JIGGERED !!!!

see the picture... The oil has gone.. fcuk me



I did nothing, that grey patch just turned the same color as the concrete
oil stain gone.

So I'm out tomorrow to get some more valspar,

I ordered the P&R this morning. I don't know if they have ordered it already,
so need to ring and see if I can cancel it.

Think it was HD that I got it from.

Really weird if anyone can explain why the grey stain disappeared over a few hours I'd be interested

 

[ae82gtm]

My guess is moisture trapped deeper beneath the surface. Just needed more time to allow it to evaporate.

 

[jaye944]

haha just when you thought it was safe

well looks like that oil stain wasn't too "difficult" I have 2 others which are proving hmmm still difficult.

This Vaspar is working but ****** slow work, its also like 20 bucks a container and I'm going through it like wild fire.

I think there are 3 oil stains left and SLOWLY but surly its removing it, I think a gallon of P&S would have been more economical

Anyway, if anyone can answer

Although I've tried the way of pouring scrubbing and leaving, doesnt "really" seem to do the job.

The only way that really seems to work is pouring it on and just leaving it, even though after like a good 16 hours (over night) it doesnt really dry to a powder, more like custard (pudding), so it is still liquidish .

I'm wondering if its only doing its stuff, when it goes powdery, should I maybe thin out the pour with say a squeegee, so its a bit thinner.

I've got like 4 containers left and having to wait like 12 hours in between applications then another 5-9 hours to wait for it to dry out after scraping and hosing down.

Its expensive and SLOW work.

When I wash down, NO water beading and the stains dont feel oily to the touch, I feel like giving it a week (1 container a day) then carrying on, but the **** retentive in me, is kinda scared that once i've put 400 bucks of armour coat , it'll peel in like a few months, as the oil leaches back up.

I mean seriously, in an old garage (well, 6 years of use) how clean should I get it?

I took a week off work to sort this, and no further along. fcuk me !!

oh and BTW, many thanks for all your support and advice

PPS
if the stains wont go, is there something I can put over the top, prior to the epoxy coating, to stop it leeching up and out and ruining my work in 6 months.

Was also told that, to try a d put some enamel paint on there to see if it sticks and ike leave it for a few weeks?

 

[ae82gtm]

Glad to hear at least you are making some progress... even slowly.
When I had my oil stain issue, I called Epoxy-Coat and asked them what to do. I told them I have tried everything.
They said if nothing is working, then just apply a thin layer of epoxy in that area, and let it dry. Then apply the regular coating on top of that. Use the thin, local layer as a primer.

I did not do that, because I was putting down primer anyway.
My oil stain did improve after that phone call to EC (I used Valspar and scrubbed), but a light shade was still there, in addition to a small spot that was still beading water.

I didn't have any more time left, so I let it try throughly and applied primer and away I went.