Help me clean the garage...

[4woody]

I'm tired of rolling around in grease/oil/anti-freeze, etc.
I searched back for tips on cleaning comcrete floors- I could swear there was a discussion awhile back- but I can't find it.
I've tried Castorol degreaser (which says it is good for this) doesn't work that well, Shout fabric stain remover is better, Cascade Dishwasher detergent doesn't get it, regular bleach does nothing. What is the best thing you've tried for cleaning the garage floor?

[kyle paul]

i usually use gas to clean and sometimes mix tide with it sometimes .but i dont no it scares people sometimes ,after it drys wash with soapy water itll be nice and clean then

[fab32]

YOu are probably not going to believe this but battery acid works wonders. If you have a bunch of old batteries laying around just dump them out on the concrete and start scrubbing. That acid will start to foam and bubble the oil and crap right out so its bleached white. In the old days we used to go get the new stuff at the parts store, bought it by the gallon it was cheap. After you get everything stirred up hose it down and you would think you just pored the floor. I'm sure the environmentalist would have coronary, but you asked. Use LOTS of water so you neutralize the stuff.

Frank

[RileyRacing]

When you dump oil-dry or it's equivalent, do you "grind" it in with your feet, or just let it soak up and shovel it off? I've found if ya just grind it in, while you're, say, drinking a cold one or having a smoke, it really seems to help. Then sweep it off, and do it again until it's pretty clean, then hit it with the chemicals.

Jay

[Crestliner]

Gas is one scary cleaner to use. If it goes down the drain and a spark from anything could blow you house up. Fumes drift into the house and the spark from even a light switch and kiss your ass good bye. I worked for a gas and electric company and if you were called on a gas leak you never turned on a light and just prayed that something electrical didn't kick on. Use a water soluable degreaser not petro products if you love life and your family.

[fab32]

RocketJ2, If you take a 6"-8" piece of 2x4 and SCRUB the floor with oil dry it really get down and takes up the oil.

Frank

[4t64rd]

When I worked at a gas station, they made me clean the floor every night (had nuthin' else to do) and they had a big box of tide and a push broom and a 36" squeegee. Sprinkle the tide all around, lightly spray the floor with enough water to make it a liitle wet, scrub the area with the push broom, spray the whole mess out the front door, squeegee the floor so you don't have puddles. that will make it not greasy anymore, if you don't like the dark spot, try some muratic acid from the pool suppy store, it will etch the concrete.

[dondanno]

What about that Orange shit? I forget the name ZEP thats it....Danny

[Rocky]

Clear everything except the stereo outta the garage and sprinkle fine sawdust abouta half inch thick all over the floor. Call all your buddy's wives and tell 'em you're having a dance at your place that night. Rock to some lively music with a shoe-dragging waltze or 2 thrown in. Serve plenty of peanuts in the shell also. Sweep up a spotless floor the next morning after the hangover wears away a little....
If you're really cheep, make it a BYOB party....

[BELLM]

If you decide to use gas don't wait around keeping everyone in suspense, just light the shit to start with, get it over with.

Seriously 4t64rd is right, in my opinion, Tide & a push broom works better than anything else I have ever tried, plus it is safe & cheap!

[delaware george]

i used tile on mine http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[rosie55]

Why dont you just clean it good with a mild cleaner and then paint it! When it gets screwed up again which im sure it will clean and repaint. You can keep it looking sharp then with a min expense and also change the color to match the ride!

Geno

[Gr8ballsofir]

The Queen Of Clean® (http://www.queenofclean.com/tips/index.html#cement) SAYS:Removing Tough Cement Stains, Including Grease and Oil
The first thing you want to do is reach for the cat litter. I prefer the clumping kind because it is more gritty. I know some people may think all that does is absorb, but stay with me and try this. Apply the cat litter to the oil or grease and start working it into the spot as if you were doing the twist. Work for 5 to 10 minutes, then walk away. Continue doing this until you can see the oil or grease being removed. Don't rush the process. Work at it over several days, adding more litter as required. Finally, sweep up the litter and spray the area with oven cleaner. This works best when no direct sun is on the cement. Allow to sit for 10 minutes or so, then rub with an old brush. Because of the fumes, keep the kids and pets out of the way and keep your face back when spraying the cleaner. Also, be aware of the wind. Rinse the area well, flushing with plenty of water from the hose. Re-apply the oven cleaner as needed to dry the concrete until the stain is removed.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[marq]

A nice powerful pressure washer with detergent does the trick even for really coated on shit......Mad Marq

[Smokin Joe]

If you're going to use that Oil Dry stuff, use kitty litter instead. Cheaper and works better. That'll at least take the slippery off the floor.

[porknbeaner]

[ QUOTE ]
i usually use gas to clean and sometimes mix tide with it sometimes .but i dont no it scares people sometimes ,after it drys wash with soapy water itll be nice and clean then

[/ QUOTE ]
It not gas n tide that's scarry it's gas and lemon pledge (or is that zest, I'll have to get the kitchen chemist out of the closet). Well that's another story.
Throw some strong liquid cleaner (degreeser, tide n water etc) on the stains then get a sack of cement (portland). sprinkle the cement over the cleaner when its still wet. It'll draw the stains right out.

[4woody]

Guess I know what I'm doing this weekend...I think I'll try Kitty litter/easy-off, and the portland cement methods first since the ingredients are handy. Thanks for all the suggestions!

[choprods]

Its a garage-not an office.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[DamnitDave]

For spot cleaning my garage, fluid drips and small spills, I like aresol brake part cleaner. Spray and wipe with a shop rag, drys quick... <shrug>

[Luckypabst]

Parts store sells a floor cleaner made by Gunk called "Swab". Get the floor wet, sprinkle on "Swab", let sit, scrub in, rinse off. Works like magic. Best part is it starts as an orange powder and turns green in the water.

Chris

[RileyRacing]

Thanks for the tip Fab, I usually just shuffle round the garage with a beer for awhile! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Jay

[FEDER]

I use kitty litter and laquer thinner.Pour out k litter then add thinner scrub with broom back and forth -- let dry
works for Me--Feder

[InPrimer]

think ahead, when you are all done bustin yer ass with the cleaning, consider some type of sealer. Check out the floor in Home Depot or Lowes, shiny non skid cement floors, might ask the maint crew what they use on the cement FWIW

[OldCarPilot]

A good power washer if you really want to get it clean. Can't beat em. Look for about 2500psi and even better is one that will use detergent as stated above.

[whizzerick]

4woody, Muriatic Acid applied with a mop is the way to go. You can find it in gallons, it's used as a concrete cleaner for in-ground pools and pavers. It fizzes and neutralizes every speck of oil. Rinse with clean water and paint if you want.

[Hubbcat]

Disel oil is a great cleaner.