Greasy Garage Floor

blykins · #1 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 09:36 AM

Guys...

What takes smeared grease stains off of a concrete garage floor? After I put that tranny together, I have stained of smeared grease and splashed mineral spirits when I was cleaning parts. Does anyone know of anything that will take it off the floor? I've made quite a mess.

BT SNAKE · #2 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 10:09 AM

Go to the hardware store and buy some muratic acid. Pour it on then rinse off with a hose. The concrete will look like new.

Hersh

blykins · #3 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 10:35 AM

I think I really messed up....it looks horrible...the bad thing is I don't have a hose that will reach to the garage....and there's too much stuff in there just to turn a hose loose anyway....could I take a mop and bucket and do it that way after I use the acid?

rdorman · #4 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 10:42 AM

You could clean up the muratic acid that way. Perhaps buy another hose and a squegee? There are a variety of concrete brighteners on the market but I think they all have an acid base. Make sure the garage is well ventilated, wear eye protection and no source of ignition!

Ever look at a parts cleaner for the future? Usually $99 at the local autoparts store. Table with legs and drain trays, pump, the whole nine yards. Large cookie sheets or drip pans and the like. I hate cleaning up a big greasy mess!

Rick

cobra de capell · #5 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by blykins
I think I really messed up....it looks horrible...the bad thing is I don't have a hose that will reach to the garage....and there's too much stuff in there just to turn a hose loose anyway....could I take a mop and bucket and do it that way after I use the acid?

I have the same problem looking for a solution. The acid may work, but beware as I did an acid wash on a pool with, I thought, lots of air around, ending up no being able to take a breath, at all. I would not even attempt doing an acid wash in a garage and cleaning it up using a mop and bucket - unless you have a death wish!

rdorman · #6 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 10:53 AM

I worked with muratic and hydrofloric acid almost every day for eight years. You can clean your garage floor with it. Ventilation is a must. Also you are not supposed just to dump the stuff on the dry concrete! Then you will get some serious fumes! It was meant to be diluted. Of course, this doesn't mean that I haven't used it straight

Rick

BT SNAKE · #7 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 11:03 AM

If the Muratic acid scares you then go buy a couple liters of Coke and pour it full strengh onto the grease stain and let it set abit then wash it up with a mop. It doesn't do as good as the acid but it does work.

Hersh

blykins · #8 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 11:07 AM

OK acid-masters....will it get this out?

blykins · #9 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 11:10 AM

.....while you're looking....look at that pretty little rebuilt Toploader in the corner....sorry..couldn't resist....

cobra de capell · #10 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BT SNAKE

If the Muratic acid scares you then go buy a couple liters of Coke and pour it full strengh onto the grease stain and let it set abit then wash it up with a mop. It doesn't do as good as the acid but it does work.

Hersh

Is this true? What about getting oil off of asphalt or would acid work better or would the asphalt look even worse if either one was used?

BlueRooster · #11 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 11:24 AM

unscented cat litter. rub it in with chunk of 2 X 4. The more you rub, the cleaner it gets. You'll be surprised.

rdorman · #12 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 11:24 AM

Coke is acidic, that is why it works. Great for battery cable ends. Obviously much lower in acidity. Tide does a decent job as well. Go to any comercial builders supply and they will have a variety of concrete cleaners.
Rick

rdorman · #13 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 11:26 AM

Yes the acid will make a big difference in that stain.

Kitty litter. I always keep a bag in the garage. Dump some on every greasy spill before it gets to soaked in. Works very well.

Rick

Rick Gregg · #14 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 12:11 PM

There are some other acids that can be used such as Oxalic acid which can be purchased from a pharmacist and is also sold in hardware stores already prepared under the name of DEK Rens. Part B of two part teak cleaning systems is phosphoric acid and can be purchased in any marine store. In the marine store you can get another product called ON/OFF and it will clean up anything. Keep all of these products away from aluminium and wear gloves when handling.

Rick

BT SNAKE · #15 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 12:18 PM

Hey Blykins,
I have cleaned way too many garage floors and I have never encountered a problem using the muratic acid. I do recommend that you open the doors and windows and maybe a small fan to move the air. Wear rubber gloves and goggles.
I think your just gonna have to suck it up and get all that stuff off the floor so you can do a good job..

Hersh

Alex Donghi · #16 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 12:20 PM

Acid didn't get my oil out of the concrete. After 3 acid washes I used commercial floor degreaser twice and then 2 more acid washes. That pretty well got it. I then painted a single part paint and its holding up well.

ohekk · #17 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 12:52 PM

I use a mixture of premixed mortar ( Portland cement & sand)
and sawdust.

Sprinle it on ... let it sit and do its magic!

Anybody who's worked as a mason knows how absorbant the portland cement is.

I have been cautioned that just the fumes from acid can destroy
any elctrical contacts.

any truth to that?

sgianino · #18 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 01:58 PM

How about Simple Green straight out of bottle and a heavy duty bristle pool brush??I was told that you could drink simple green and its enviromentally friendly

Years ago when i worked at a local Home Depot the rep for the product said so but dont quote me on it,maby just a cap full

Sal

blykins · #19 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 02:53 PM

I used some industrial strength purple looking degreaser...can't remember the name of it now...used it straight...that's what got me where I am now.....spread from about a 1' area to a 3' area.

mrmustang · #20 (**permalink**) 12-16-2003, 03:36 PM

Simple green works well for the start of cleaning. After allowing the simple green to soak in for a few hours, I use good old fashioned dry dirt from outside. Spread it out evenly, allow it to absorb the simple green, the sweep debris into a plastic bag and toss it away. For ythe really stubborn stains, I use a combination on the cokecola and liquid tide with bleach..........Clean it up with the dried dirt, or kitty litter (sawdust works also), and your good to go...............

Bill S.