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Removing stains on white VCT tiles

camarojoe

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Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
141
Location
PA
I pulled out my car that had been sitting in the same spot since last october, and a small amount of synthetic oil and another small spot of dexcool (orange) coolant was on the white tiles (why doesn't stuff ever leak over the BLACK tiles?:headscrat ) Anyways, i wiped up the stuff, but i had a spot of yellow where the oil was, and a spot of orange where the coolant was. I've spilled stuff on the floor before, but always wiped it up right away with no problems...however, this stuff has been soaking in for 6 months. I should also note i have about 5 coats of Armstrong Excellon floor wax on it. I took some Mr. Clean cleaner and a "magic eraser" to it, and it stripped the wax off that spot and took the stains ALMOST out... I was just wondering if anyone had any secret methods of cleaning the stains completely before i spot wax it again...I also considered trying some chlorine bleach but figured i'd ask here first.
 
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Rowdy Rat

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Aug 12, 2005
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117
Location
PA
camarojoe said:
I pulled out my car that had been sitting in the same spot since last october, and a small amount of synthetic oil and another small spot of dexcool (orange) coolant...

Joe,

You actually put fluids in your cars?

I thought that you just pushed them in and out of the garage and on and off the trailer? At least that's what the Supercar guys tell me... :lol:

Seriously, you seem to have done the right thing and gradually worked up to harsher cleaning agents... Looks like bleach is an option... After that I might try a small amount of lacquer thinner... Just to see what it does. Unless you're resigned to living with the spots.

Let me know how this turns out.

Regards,

Stan Falenski
 

sjsfire

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Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Messages
371
Location
illinois
I don't have the VCT or expoxy on my floor but do you have a few spare tiles left over you can replace the damaged one with?? If the car is stored for the winter maybe slide a pan with some oil dry under it next time. Not trying to be a smart a$$, I'd be upset if I had that nice of a floor.
 
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camarojoe

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Joined
Oct 19, 2005
Messages
141
Location
PA
In hindsight, I agree with your suggestion to put something under the cars during winter storage... i just didn't think they'd leak anything... contrary to what RowdyRat may tell you, they DO have the proper fluids in them and DO actually leave the garage every once in awhile...;) I didn't try the bleach, i got it 99% fixed with the magic eraser. (What ARE those things anyhow???) I think the eraser actually acts like a mild sandpaper, removing a minor amount of material, in effect, making it look like new again... at least thats what i THINK it does. In any case, I spot waxed it with a sponge mop, and it looks pretty good... and it looks PERFECT when i park the car over it. :thumbup: I haven't backed the other one out yet, so if theres any spots or stains under it, i will repeat the process, and maybe even try the bleach idea... I DO have some replacement tiles leftover, but I think it would be a major b*tch to try to pry out old ones to replace with new... I'd definitely say that would be a last resort.
 
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Itzkwik

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Mar 19, 2006
Messages
539
Location
Montpelier, VA
Try some xylene on the spot. I have good luck when I have to clean stains off of VCT at work. Should be able to find it at HD/Lowes or a good paint store. If you need to replace a tile, heat it with a propane/mapp torch first. Then use a putty knife to lift the tile up. They come up real easy when you heat them first.
Bret
 

Rowdy Rat

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Aug 12, 2005
Messages
117
Location
PA
Joe,

Good deal, sounds like you got most of the stains cleaned up. The garage looks great! do you have all of your memorabilia mounted, or just certain pieces?

Oh, I'm glad to hear that the comments from the Supercar guys were unfounded... I just couldn't picture you as a "pedal udder" kind of guy. :lol:

Regards,

Stan Falenski
 
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camarojoe

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Oct 19, 2005
Messages
141
Location
PA
i WISH my garage was big enough to display all of my memorabilia within it... Unfortunately, i just have a few photo collages framed, and some vintage dealership posters and banners in it.. I'm actually looking for more original dealership art to finish off one wall. (got any??;) ) I DO have a few rooms in my house "decorated" with my automotive/supercar memorabilia, but I don't know if its appropriate to post them on a site dedicated to garages... maybe with moderator permission? :dunno:
 

ssleepingbeauty

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Joined
Jan 17, 2006
Messages
106
Location
Washington
The next time you have a stain on VCT. The trade secret for removing it in like 5 seconds, is just rub the stain with fine steel wool ;)
 
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