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Old 02-20-2009, 04:02 AM
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Default How to clean a concrete floor?

What do you use to clean oil spots off the garage concrete floor? I've heard of putting kitty litter on it and it is suppose to draw it out, any truth to this or any other method? Thanks.
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Old 02-20-2009, 04:42 AM
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Default Re: How to clean a concrete floor?

Kitty litter will only soak up puddles of oil but not a spot that has been there for any long period. I've used mineral spirits and have used GUNK before.
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Old 02-20-2009, 06:13 AM
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Default RE: How to clean a concrete floor?

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Old 02-20-2009, 06:31 AM
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Default Re: How to clean a concrete floor?

Concrete is more porous than most folks realize (it also varies with mix and finish). As Just1more said if its been there for any length of time it has seeped into the floor. I would also try some citrus cleaner.
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Old 02-20-2009, 06:33 AM
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Default Re: How to clean a concrete floor?

Citrus based cleaners work well and use spedi dri

Gas works great but it's not a very safe way to do so. Brake clean also works very well.
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Old 02-20-2009, 08:16 AM
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Default Re: How to clean a concrete floor?

You might try plain old Dawn. Pour it on, wait 10 minutes or so, and hose it out. Never tried it, but Dawn works great on breaking down all grease and oil.
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Old 02-20-2009, 08:34 AM
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Default Re: How to clean a concrete floor?

In the back of my mind I remember something about steam being the only way to clean concrete, or the only way to clean oil from concrete. If that doesn't do it the stain is permanent. That's from when I was a kid; electricity has been invented since then, maybe some chemistry also that will clean concrete.
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Old 02-21-2009, 05:57 PM
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Default Re: How to clean a concrete floor?

Concrete is so porous that you could actually spill oil on top and eventually the oil would run through. We clean it with a strong degreaser and power washing.
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Old 02-21-2009, 06:51 PM
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Default Re: How to clean a concrete floor?

TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) cleans like you won't believe, is cheap and easy to find in any hdw store. Just don't take a deep breath while it's bubbling...

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Old 02-21-2009, 09:51 PM
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Default Re: How to clean a concrete floor?

TSP, I think that is what we used on the walls after removing wall paper and the glue but prior to painting. I'll give these suggestions a try. Thanks. Any other recommendations? Please chime in.
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Old 02-21-2009, 10:52 PM
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Default Re: How to clean a concrete floor?

If the stain has been there for any length of time I think the best you'll be able to do is make the floor clean, but the stain will still show as a stain. If you really want to hide the stain, apply any one of the two part epoxy concrete paints/ finishes.
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Old 02-23-2009, 09:14 AM
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Default RE: How to clean a concrete floor?

Quote:
240 LTS - 2/20/2009 2:02 AM

What do you use to clean oil spots off the garage concrete floor? I've heard of putting kitty litter on it and it is suppose to draw it out, any truth to this or any other method? Thanks.
Although it is not perfect, I found that if I take a board about the size of a skate board and grind the kitty litter into the stain it absorbs much better. It leaves a slightly discolored stain but nothing like what was there before. Doing this before using the degreaser seemed to help in the places that I wanted to paint.
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