Any way to get oil out of a concrete garage floor?

Starless · 01-31-2018, 06:26 AM

Long story but I have an oil stain, well, more than a stain, on my garage floor from oil leaking from the "S" oil line from the 911 while we were away for several weeks, and then getting saturated into the concrete for another month or so. I finally move the car and saw the oil. I tried Oil-Dry, the kitty litter type stuff, and sprays. I let them all soak in and then used a power washer to hose it off. Some came out, but it still feels damp, sticky and oily. Any recommendations?

scottmandue · 01-31-2018, 07:16 AM

Engine de-greaser works pretty good.

stomachmonkey · 01-31-2018, 07:23 AM

No help now but this is why there is always several layers of flat cardboard under my cars.

legion · 01-31-2018, 07:23 AM

I like to put a puddle of water over the area and let it sit so that much of the oil floats to the top (you may have to construct a makeshift dam around the area).

Then degreaser.

acar24 · 01-31-2018, 07:30 AM

try the old type tide or cascade and whisk and hot water/ broom in. Good luck LA

dad911 · 01-31-2018, 07:43 AM

oil eater
https://www.amazon.com/Oil-Eater-Original-Cleaner-Degreaser/dp/B000EALHH6/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1517416999&sr=8-3&keywords=oil+eater

Starless · 01-31-2018, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

No help now but this is why there is always several layers of flat cardboard under my cars.

Yeah, I have some grey absorbent pads under where i have a tiny drip, but this happened where it was previously dry. Now I have them under the entire engine. Thanks for the tips, I'll try them all and see what happens. I had the kitty litter type stuff on it for a few days. It adsorbed a fair amount, but the stuff that's deep in the floor it couldn't suck up. Well, I have a few things to try. Thanks

Hawkeye's-911T · Hawkeye's-911T's Garage

A couple more ideas(?):

Concrete oil stains

Cheers
JB

Amail · 01-31-2018, 08:06 AM

I bought some Tri Sodium Phosphate (TSP) at Home Depot to get rid of an oil patch. I'd read when mixed with the oil it produces a kind of soap, which can then be scrubbed and rinsed away. I never actually tried it though, so I can't vouch for it, but it's something to look in to.

Halm · 01-31-2018, 08:35 AM

Had some success with Oil Flow Solvent https://tinyurl.com/y9vnzq75

KFC911 · 01-31-2018, 08:46 AM

Simple Green has worked for me..put it on full srength and let it set....on a driveway until the rain washes it away.

T77911S · 01-31-2018, 08:47 AM

i use the cheap cat litter.
then I will either stand on it and do the "twist" back and forth or I have a wood block I use to grind the cat littler into the oil stain.

you can first try some brake clean then use the cat litter.

you have to grind it in to get it to clean.
there will always be a residual stain but nothing bad

scottmandue · 01-31-2018, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T77911S

i use the cheap cat litter.
then I will either stand on it and do the "twist" back and forth or I have a wood block I use to grind the cat littler into the oil stain.

you can first try some brake clean then use the cat litter.

you have to grind it in to get it to clean.
there will always be a residual stain but nothing bad

I also use the cheap car litter method, I let it sit after grinding it down.

As said it will dry up the spot but still leaves a stain.

enzo1 · 01-31-2018, 09:15 AM

CHEAP old style no clumping agent @ Dollar General cat litter....grind it in

Willem Fick · 01-31-2018, 09:54 AM

Dry cement powder works extremely well. Sprinkle it over, leave fro a day or two, then sweep up. Much more effective than kitty litter.

Starless · 01-31-2018, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amail

I bought some Tri Sodium Phosphate (TSP) at Home Depot to get rid of an oil patch. I'd read when mixed with the oil it produces a kind of soap, which can then be scrubbed and rinsed away. I never actually tried it though, so I can't vouch for it, but it's something to look in to.

I have some TSP, so I'll try that. I did the kitty litter dance several times, it helped some, but I can tell it's done all it can do. It's 27 degrees today, should get up to 42 tomorrow, so I'll try again tomorrow. If the TSP doesn't work, I'll try the other recommendations. Thanks again

Amail · 01-31-2018, 10:20 AM

Cool - let us know how it works.

RKDinOKC · RKDinOKC's Garage

Just coat the entire floor with oil. Let it set. Clean up using oil-dray or cat litter and call it good. The whole floor will be stained so it will look fine.

T77911S · 01-31-2018, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RKDinOKC

Just coat the entire floor with oil. .

I have done that already.

never fails. I seem to dump at least a qt when I open oil lines.

just pulled the valve body off the Mercedes, about a half qt missed the oil pan

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Starless

I have some TSP, so I'll try that. I did the kitty litter dance several times, it helped some, but I can tell it's done all it can do. It's 27 degrees today, should get up to 42 tomorrow, so I'll try again tomorrow. If the TSP doesn't work, I'll try the other recommendations. Thanks again

Sundek pal of mine is at my shop. Says that you are not going to get the stain out completely.

Time and multiple cleanings.

Interesting comment he made. Said moisture vapor transmission from below (depending on what's underneath the slab) can help degrade the stain over time. Not what you want for an epoxy coating but can assist in purging the poisons.

Absolutely no on muratic acid. Cleans well then you have a porous clean slate for any cooties that come along.