View Full Version : Help Needed: Cleaning Concrete
Hey guys,
I have a 10x10 (ish) patio. It has paint stains, grease, dirt, etc all over it. Is there a way to clean it? I've tried some of the Google-fu stuff (baking powder paste, etc) and nothing is working. It's be nice to just stain it... but it's part of an apartment complex.
Thanks,
Bear
StagLefty
10-09-2013, 20:55
Muriatic acid ?
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Phosphoric acid, the green fluid at Home Depot. Muriatic acid may be too strong and eat away too much of the surface leaving exposed coarse aggregates.
SideShow Bob
10-09-2013, 21:03
Muriatic acid ?
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That will definatly do the job. Keep kids and pets away, and it will kill plants & grass, so use carefully. Also be sure to wear eye protection, chemical resistant gloves and old heavy long sleeve clothing. No shorts either.
BPTactical
10-09-2013, 21:14
Why would you be doing it if it is an apartment complex? Not your responsibility and I would not want the liability, especially if you are planning on using the nuclear option such as acid.
Muriatic or phosphoric are too strong, they will damage the wood fibers and you will play hell neutralizing them once soaked in the wood.
Oxalic acid is used for bleaching wood and is not nearly as nasty to work with.
(edit: call me a maroon, for some reason I had a wood deck in mind-I shall now hang my head in shame)
Product called pour and restore. Gets hydraulic fluid off. Should work on most.
Phosphoric acid, the green fluid at Home Depot. Muriatic acid may be too strong and eat away too much of the surface leaving exposed coarse aggregates.
This but to echo BPTactical why if it is not your place?
This but to echo BPTactical why if it is not your place?
We do not know why nor need to know why. The op asked a question and an answer was supplied.
Grinding kitty litter into the surface can also draw out grease and oil
Jeffrey Lebowski
10-10-2013, 06:30
pressure washer
This with Zepp concrete cleaner from homey depot has always worked pretty well for me....
Great-Kazoo
10-10-2013, 07:43
We do not know why nor need to know why. The op asked a question and an answer was supplied.
Grinding kitty litter into the surface can also draw out grease and oil
Why?
Because the OP's liability IF someones kid has a reaction while playing in the area, dog eating grass, etc. if far more impacting than the need to clean a patio, that may not be his responsibility.
BTW: Kitty litter will work on fresh petroleum spills and not on aged stains. Without use of some chemical for removal.
SuperiorDG
10-10-2013, 07:45
That will definatly do the job. Keep kids and pets away, and it will kill plants & grass, so use carefully. Also be sure to wear eye protection, chemical resistant gloves and old heavy long sleeve clothing. No shorts either.
And don't breath that shit in, it sucks.
Edit: After I've done what I needed done I neutralize it with water and baking soda.
Maybe try some CLR. Seems to look like it might work on something like that according to thier advertisements.
The strength of the acids used in modern over the counter acids are not that bad. I'm sure the sky won't fall if you follow the directions.
Great-Kazoo
10-10-2013, 07:58
The strength of the acids used in modern over the counter acids are not that bad. I'm sure the sky won't fall if you follow the directions.
HERETIC
Everyone knows unless a professional does it, It's dangerous and wrong!
pressure washer
Did not work, even with mixed chemical paste beforehand...
Why would you be doing it if it is an apartment complex? Not your responsibility and I would not want the liability, especially if you are planning on using the nuclear option such as acid.
Thanks for your concern. It IS my responibility since I made the stains. I'm not worried about liability as I can control access to the area from kids, pets, etc. The apartment will not do anything until I move which is still ten months away and then, they just pressure wash it, which did not work. I have a bit of an OCD/cleanliness personality and I've been really stressed recently... so hardcore cleaning is a way to let off some of the pressure, but this stupid patio just won't work with me, HA! I think it would be awesome to smooth out the patio, acid wash it, then stain it a darker neutral color, but I don't think management would go for that! HA.
Maybe try some CLR. Seems to look like it might work on something like that according to thier advertisements.
No Sir, did not work on aged stains.
BPTactical
10-10-2013, 08:10
Try this Bear-dampen the areas with a very light spritz of water. Sprinkle some Tide POWDER laundry soap on the area and scrub it with a stiff bristle brush. Let it set for a couple of hours then rinse.
Always worked well in a shop environment.
Keeping sawdust on the areas will pull old oil stains out as well.
StagLefty
10-10-2013, 08:14
^ ooooh Bear spritz [ROFL1]
Try this Bear-dampen the areas with a very light spritz of water. Sprinkle some Tide POWDER laundry soap on the area and scrub it with a stiff bristle brush. Let it set for a couple of hours then rinse.
Always worked well in a shop environment.
Keeping sawdust on the areas will pull old oil stains out as well.
Will try, thanks.
^ ooooh Bear spritz [ROFL1]
Hey, what happens in Vegas.... wait, nevermind.
tmleadr03
10-10-2013, 09:07
For grease and oil use brake clean. Works great.
Brake clean and a green scratch pad for hard stuff.
For grease and oil use brake clean. Works great.
Brake clean and a green scratch pad for hard stuff.
Yep. Brake cleaner. A can is $4 and will go a long way. Spray it on, let it sit 5+ minutes, rub it with a brush, then pressure wash it all away. You should be good to go. We've done this many times on our drive way. Sometimes weeks after the drips were first noticed.
We do not know why nor need to know why. The op asked a question and an answer was supplied.
Did someone piss in your Wheaties this morning or do you just need a hug?
No, its just irrelevant information related to his question. The many replies about responsibility and safety sounded like a lawyers forum, not a shooters forum.
ChadAmberg
10-10-2013, 13:14
I know bleach gets the blood stains out... oh wait, that's not the problem you're having.
No, its just irrelevant information related to his question. The many replies about responsibility and safety sounded like a lawyers forum, not a shooters forum.
I get it, as gun owners, we are to shoot first and ask questions later... [Smart] Maybe you have not noticed that a forum is a place to expand ones knowledge and the questions directly relates to the original question. If he felt reservation with the question he would have put the thread back on the direction he wanted it and he did by thanking BP for the concern and answering it. If you do not want to share knowledge maybe this is not the place for you.
BPTactical
10-10-2013, 13:57
No, its just irrelevant information related to his question. The many replies about responsibility and safety sounded like a lawyers forum, not a shooters forum.
It is very relevant. It is not his property to do with as he pleases and he has the other tenants and a property owner to consider.
You know, I think it illustrates that this "community" of shooters on this forum are VERY CONSCIOUS of safety and the responsibilities that our activities may bring, being firearm related or scrubbing a slab of concrete..
It would be nice if others considered the consequences of their actions prior to implementing their actions.
It speaks volumes of Bears character that he feels that as he made the stains, it is his obligation to clean them up.
Hmmm, there's a concept, an individual taking responsibility for their actions.
Go figure...........
Post Toastie
10-10-2013, 14:08
Hmmm, there's a concept, an individual taking responsibility for their actions.
Go figure...........
Didn't I just see something about Americans having difficulty figuring... Oh wait, that was arithmetic...
james_bond_007
10-10-2013, 14:35
[Pressure Washer] Did not work, even with mixed chemical paste beforehand...
Might depend on the pressure washer.
I tried one of the "homeowner models" to strip paint off my gutters, outside clapboards, and concrete floor....nothing happened---it was worthless.
My neighbor loaned me his gasoline powered model.
Took the paint off my clapboards and stripped the paint off the galvanized gutters (down to the metal), with just water.
I had to be careful, as at first, with the "jet" nozzle. It put a hole through my fascia board, just below the gutter, until I learned how to use it better.
This was from about an 8' distance.
It took EVERYTHING off my garage floor with just water using the "fan" nozzle. It was literally like using a paint scraper to lift off the oil, grease, paint, etc.
While I can't guarantee it will work on your problem, I can say that my success depended on what kind of pressure washer I used.
If the liquid options don't work, can you use a sand blaster? Link to a Harbor Freight $40 kit: http://www.harborfreight.com/portable-abrasive-blaster-kit-37025.html A small gun with a mounted hopper is on sale for $22 http://www.harborfreight.com/21-oz-hopper-gravity-feed-spot-blaster-gun-95793.html The media would sweep up & is non-toxic.
Leo
I don't use a sand blaster, you could put out your eye.. Don't use brake cleaner, it contains vOC's and is a cancer risk, also potentially damaging by adsorption, absorption, injection, inhalation, and ingestion. Recharge your fire extinguishers. Eat your vegetables, and above all.,,
tmleadr03
10-10-2013, 16:22
I don't use a sand blaster, you could put out your eye.. Don't use brake cleaner, it contains vOC's and is a cancer risk, also potentially damaging by adsorption, absorption, injection, inhalation, and ingestion. Recharge your fire extinguishers. Eat your vegetables, and above all.,,
PSA: Spilling brake clean on your junk hurts.
Great-Kazoo
10-10-2013, 16:34
PSA: Spilling brake clean on your junk hurts.
Spilling? That's the excuse now.
BPTactical
10-10-2013, 16:41
Spilling? That's the excuse now.
It makes him feel..........Spunky!
SideShow Bob
10-10-2013, 16:53
PSA: Spilling brake clean on your junk hurts.
We certainly DON'T need the details to that ! [Ignore]
OtterbatHellcat
10-10-2013, 17:30
Jeeze..if someone could have stated concrete or wood, I'm still assuming concrete.
A wire brush in a cordless drill should pull the paint out.
Stoddard solvent will release the grease, with some scrubbing with a hard bristled brush, and normal garden hose pressure spray down. BTW, are we talking about vehicle type grease, or barbecue grease... ? i.e. "Motorcycle leaked oil"....etc.etc.
I know bleach gets the blood stains out... oh wait, that's not the problem you're having.
not really, it takes the color out but leaves the trace, there's other more expensive chemicals out that take care of it. but they're $100/gallon
Might depend on the pressure washer.
I tried one of the "homeowner models" to strip paint off my gutters, outside clapboards, and concrete floor....nothing happened---it was worthless.
My neighbor loaned me his gasoline powered model.
Took the paint off my clapboards and stripped the paint off the galvanized gutters (down to the metal), with just water.
I had to be careful, as at first, with the "jet" nozzle. It put a hole through my fascia board, just below the gutter, until I learned how to use it better.
This was from about an 8' distance.
It took EVERYTHING off my garage floor with just water using the "fan" nozzle. It was literally like using a paint scraper to lift off the oil, grease, paint, etc.
While I can't guarantee it will work on your problem, I can say that my success depended on what kind of pressure washer I used.
This, I maintain properties for a living. I've never had to use more than a chemical related to the stain and a gas pressure washer.
OtterbatHellcat
10-10-2013, 18:03
a chemical related to the stain
This is very true.
BPTactical
10-10-2013, 18:10
a chemical related to the stain
This is very true.
KY jelly?
OtterbatHellcat
10-10-2013, 18:21
KY jelly?
No, but that is most likely a chemical used to create several stains.....which of course, have their own related "removers".
lol
a chemical related to the stain
This is very true.
So a pressure washer full of green chile will fix those pants I have in the garage?
No, its just irrelevant information related to his question. The many replies about responsibility and safety sounded like a lawyers forum, not a shooters forum.
This is is a community, that in mind the general concern was for the op not to do something that would cause more liability in the long run. Members helping members, after all this isn't barf [Coffee]
Now how the hell do I get out iron stains (fertilizer). I have tried CLR, bartenders bf, bleach, all to no avail. Any suggestions?
Tinelement
10-10-2013, 20:45
Am I seriously the only one thinking jackhammer?
[Coffee]
Great-Kazoo
10-10-2013, 20:49
No, but that is most likely a chemical used to create several stains.....which of course, have their own related "removers".
lol
Ky is a water soluble gel . While it enables stans, by itself will not leave any tell tale / incriminating evidence, ALLEGEDLY
Am I seriously the only one thinking jackhammer?
[Coffee]
I'll supply the beer [Beer]
This is is a community, that in mind the general concern was for the op not to do something that would cause more liability in the long run. Members helping members, after all this isn't barf [Coffee]
Now how the hell do I get out iron stains (fertilizer). I have tried CLR, bartenders bf, bleach, all to no avail. Any suggestions?
Acid is the only way i have ever had luck with for rust stains on concrete. Use a leaf blower to get the fertilize off the concrete in the future.
OtterbatHellcat
10-10-2013, 22:12
Page changed, and I had to fix some stuff.
Acid is the only way i have ever had luck with for rust stains on concrete. Use a leaf blower to get the fertilize off the concrete in the future.
Yea it was a dumb lesson learned the hard way. I have some iron out to try and then it's the acid treatment.
OtterbatHellcat
10-10-2013, 22:14
So a pressure washer full of green chile will fix those pants I have in the garage?
Dang nab it, dall garn it.....
Nope.
Ya'd have to find out what green chilis ANTI universe is, and that's the stuff that would work on your pants.
Seriously though, chemical cleaners and organic cleaners will be useless if used on it's not counter part.
Wulf is speaking da truth.
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