Removing these stains, prepping for possible VCT

[alkemyst]

I did a mix of all-purpose cleaner/ammonia. then TSP and used a pressure washer.

Still have stains. Is this the end result usually at an abused floor? I had removed tons of paint, expoxy, tar, and all sorts of junk.

It's much better than the almost all black it was.

I want to do VCT and not sure if this is going to be prepped enough...

 

[35mastr]

Get a etch for cement.Or rent a cement grinder to cut that top layer.

 

[alkemyst]

the layer is clean to the touch and just about what an etching would do...would that remove any of the staining? If I can get it back to a white concrete or light grey look I may skip VCT. The hardest part is going to be getting out the two workbenches...they weren't built to be removed it seems. I think one bolts from behind the sheeting outside.

 

[gsport]

i think for VCT... it looks good enough

 

[thrytis]

Does water bead on the stains or soak in? If you have large areas of beading, you probably want to do some more cleaning. Even though acid etching really isn't supposed to be for cleaning, i found it got rid of most of the stains that looked much like yours. If you do etch, be sure to neutralize your floor properly, otherwise it could affect the VCT adhesive.

 

[alkemyst]

it soaks in...wiping even a solvent dipped rag across these stains returns clean.

 

[crankshaftdan II]

I had some very simuluar stains on garage floor. I used purple cleaner/degreaser sold in gallon container ($7.00), used pressure washer after letting it soak in, after three attempts bleached out stains, no residue left, I sealed floor with clear concrete sealer and no problems since!