I need to cover some concrete that is probably at least fifty years old and has had loooonnnggggg time puddles of car oil on it.
Previous tenants have put carpet over the stains only to have the oil rise right up to permanently stain the carpet. Others have also painted over the stains only to have the paint come up.
We will be using the area as office space, so it will get medium to light traffic on it.
I’ve put saw dust on the stains repeatedly, scraped up the oily saw dust, and shop vac’d the area. I think I’ve done that four times now. Doesn’t appear to have changed much.
I’m wondering if there is some type of paint that might really cover the oil stains. Epoxy, maybe?
I could have commercial glue down carpet installed, but cover the oil with plastic and simply glue around the stains. I wonder how the carpet would look after a year or so.
I could also paint around the edges of the rooms, cover the oil with plastic, and then put taped down area rugs over the plastic, but that wouldn’t help where the stains are up to a wall.
I remember 30 plus years ago seeing some sort of product that was a sort of clear liquid mixed with little colored plastic chips. IIRC, you just poured the stuff out and it self leveled? Not sure.
Of course this floor isn’t perfectly level and, no, it’s not possible to pour over the existing.
Thanks now for helpful suggestions!
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“Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.” Voltaire
Replies
Have to tried wash with mineral spirits. Cat litter and rubbing it in real good.
Mineral spirts have always worked for me too Dan
blue
great minds think alike
TSP. I'd start dry, finish wet, rinse carefully.
If you don't get it clean, anything you try to cover it with will have no adherence.
PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!
I'll try it. Thanks.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." Voltaire
What type of flooring do you want to put down? or do you?
What if you try cleaning it as suggested by the others and dry it then lay down a thick mill plastic then lay a floating floor or pad and carpet.
Howie
I never had good luck using sawdust. I've dampened the area with mineral spirits and then used either Portland or mortar mix to soak it up. I think the tiny voids between the particles promote the capillary action.
Once I saw some tile guys making a poultice out of, I think, cornstarch and acetone, for use on some old Travertine. It pulled out the stain they knew about, but also appeared to bring out a discoloration from the 125 year mastic that the marble was originally installed with.
Cover it with luan or some other underlayment before carpet.
Thanks, hadn't thought of that option.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." Voltaire
has,
You need to use a non petroleum based cleaner, such as alchohol or laquer thinner. Mineral spirits will be just as bad as the oil that is already there. You have to keep soaking it over and over until it is clean. TSP will also work, but I have the best luck with laquer thinner.
As far as soaking up the "mess", kitty litter works ok, but if there is a Drag Strip near you, see if they have any of the rice hull absorbent that they use on the race track to clean up after engine failures etc. That stuff is a very fine powder and really sucks up the oil.
Bill Koustenis
Advanced Automotive Machine
Waldorf Md
Thanks, Bill.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." Voltaire
Try installing the cheapest laminate interlocking flooring you can find.
The foam padding will keep the oil away, I would add 3 mil plastic on the really oily spots.
Its real easy to remove and throw away when tenats change or damaged pieces can be removed. It just won't survive a flood. Who cares if does not sound like a solid floor.
I'm with Sungod, the laminate might be a good choice, especially since you've said this will be office space. I'm considering laminate for our church office, mainly because the largest chair pad available won't allow us to roll an office chair from the main desk to the computer work station. I think a good, even, laminate floor will make the chair rolling deal a whole lot easier.
Greg
Good idea. Thanks.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." Voltaire
Try corn starch on a small area and see if how it will draw out the oil. Then use TSP (the real thing if you can find some). That should get enough out to be painted.
I like the lay down a 6mil poly and a laminate floor idea. Should solve the problem and look good too.
Hadn't thought of that. It's a good idea. Thanks.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." Voltaire
Given that the existing floor isn't level, if this is slab on grade, I'd consider cutting the edges with a concrete saw, and just busting out the oily crap and replacing it. More hard work now, but at least it would for sure be gone for good and not keep on coming back like one of those movie monsters that just won't die.
-- J.S.
That's a good idea, too.+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++"Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd." Voltaire