My name is Donnie Sloan and I am new in the pressure washing business and have been doing alot of reading on the pwi site. I recently cleaned a gas station and was able to clean the oily spots but the oil and diesel stains are terrible. I was wondering if anyone can give me a tip on what I may try next to help with the stains . I see caustic is recommedned by some. Also I read there had been some research on removing the shadow of gum. Is there a sugesstion on that? Thanks for help
Oil Stains in Concrete
- Thread starter dsloan
- Start date
I have been using envirospecs concrete cleaner followed up by there concrete britener. To tell you the truth the concrete britener could be sprayed on by a pump up sprayer on some residential work and just rinsed of ten minutes later. I was suprised at how well it works by itself on "some" stuff.
Jim@Garagecleaning
banned
What is the size of your pressure washer and what is your BTU's on your boiler?
I see you are in GA. How is the laws for using chemicals in GA? Do you need to reclaim the water? Is there any restrictions on ( NON ) BIO chemicals?
Can you use caustic? or a brightener ( Acid ) with no restrictions?
I see you are in GA. How is the laws for using chemicals in GA? Do you need to reclaim the water? Is there any restrictions on ( NON ) BIO chemicals?
Can you use caustic? or a brightener ( Acid ) with no restrictions?
Christopher
Moderator
If you are thinking that you will make the stains vanish, forget it.
Gas station cleaning is not about how clean you can get it, you need to market differently.
Gas stations will only get so clean unless you have some very hot, dangerous chemicals and/or a very hot, hot water machine and a lot of experience dealing with both.
There is a lot of great info on the bbs, I do not have it all memorized but there is great info on gas station cleaning, I think it is in the commercial area.
Gas station cleaning is not about how clean you can get it, you need to market differently.
Gas stations will only get so clean unless you have some very hot, dangerous chemicals and/or a very hot, hot water machine and a lot of experience dealing with both.
There is a lot of great info on the bbs, I do not have it all memorized but there is great info on gas station cleaning, I think it is in the commercial area.
Paul Kassander
New member
Unless you plan on getting into some high heat or "hot" chemicals you will more than likely have some shadowing left behind. As long as the source is not reapplied the shadowing will dissipate and disappear over time. The use of a brightener like Carey said above will help to fade and blend the shadowing as well.
You have to remember that concrete although hard is quite porous and the stains may be deep into it, you are for the most part just cleaning the surface.
You have to remember that concrete although hard is quite porous and the stains may be deep into it, you are for the most part just cleaning the surface.
Grime Busters LLC
New member
The problem with oil stains and the shadowing left behind is due to how long the oil was allowed to sit there untreated. Concrete is a porous surface, and the oil will soak into the concrete, sometimes deeper that 1/8". I make it clear to customers that some oil stains may leave some degree of shadowing. Most accept this outcome.
Christopher
Moderator
Oil will go deeper than that.
They were tearing down an old service station a couple years ago that had a lot of oil stains all over by the service bay so when they were breaking up the foundation (which was almost 6" thick) I got to see the bottom of the concrete and the oil had stained it all the way to the bottom.
This was a service station that had been around for at least 20 years so and was abandoned. Over time that oil does make it's way down but new oil leaks all the time will be a continuing source so it is just a matter of time.
Those are the times when you wish you had your camera in the truck all the time.
They were tearing down an old service station a couple years ago that had a lot of oil stains all over by the service bay so when they were breaking up the foundation (which was almost 6" thick) I got to see the bottom of the concrete and the oil had stained it all the way to the bottom.
This was a service station that had been around for at least 20 years so and was abandoned. Over time that oil does make it's way down but new oil leaks all the time will be a continuing source so it is just a matter of time.
Those are the times when you wish you had your camera in the truck all the time.
Thanks for all the input. When I originally looked at this job, I told the store owner that the stains would more than likley NOT come up but I would be able to clean the oil and diesel films from the concrete. The customer is happy but his only remark was that he wished the stains were not so noticeable. I just wanted to be sure that I have given my customer the best results possible and the only way for me to know was to ask professionals who were been in the business.
Jim, as for my unit I have a pressure pro 3500 psi 8 gpm. Thanks again to all for the advice. This site is awesome and I am glad to be part of it.
Jim, as for my unit I have a pressure pro 3500 psi 8 gpm. Thanks again to all for the advice. This site is awesome and I am glad to be part of it.
Jim@Garagecleaning
banned
Note to customer: The oil will rise over time depending on how much oil was there before you started to clean and how much oil is there after you cleaned.
steam cleaning frequently is the best way to get oil up.
Glad that all of us was able to help ! Good info guys !