Topic: Floor Cleaner?

[gaijin]

Hey there, I didn't think this quite fit into the tech section so here it is. Does anyone have any recommendations for a floor cleaner, for a very dirty garage? I'm talking years of grunge and motor oil and who knows what else caked on. Grease, oil-absorbing material, layered over more dirt. If nothing else I can swing by Walgreens for Pine-Sol but I thought I'd see what you guys use. The floor is a typical shop floor, concrete sealed with some kind of industrial paint job.

Not that anyone here has a dirty garage, or has a lot of spills to clean. 

[turtle]

Our local guru recommends coca cola. 

[Bob Wessner]

You might try a strong solution of TSP (Trisodium Phosphate heavy duty cleaner), let it sit, work it with a stiff broom, then rinse. You can usually find it in granular form at a hardware store.

[Jonesy]

I know the pros use a dilute acid solution. As to what kind or concentration, that I don't know.

Concrete is porous, so you need something that will soak into the concrete and get at all the oil. One tip for a fresh spill, keep a bunch of oil absorbant on hand (plain old clay kitty litter works great) to soak up the spill. When the worst of it is soaked up, then sprinkle more fresh litter on the spot and grind it into the concrete with a brick. This pulverizes the litter into a fine powder that gets into the little spots. vacuum it up, and the spot will almost be completely gone.

[Bob Wessner]

Muriatic acid it typically used to clean bare concrete, but sounds like this floor is painted.

The floor is a typical shop floor, concrete sealed with some kind of industrial paint job.

Not sure what the acid would do to the painted finish.

[Jonesy]

Ooops.. thanks, Bob. I didn't see that.. sorry.

(Getting up to get a cup of coffee.. I hate the monday after vacation!)

[Steve F]

I would start with a safe yet relatively strong cleaner like SIMPLE GREEN, let it soak for a little without letting it dry.  Broom it into the tough spots with a stiff bristle, and pressure wash it. No phosphates or corrosives.

[ElCheapo]

I comment here only because I have done this numerous times.

Muratic acid is evil for your concrete. It has a tendency to desicate and destroy the upper levels of the "cream", which will result in exposed agregate which is no fun to roll a creeper on or a floor jack for all that matters. I have made several muratic acid diasters here and the wife gives me the evil eye when I buy it now. I think I wrecked a tub a few years ago. Also if you inhale this stuff when it is in the air, you WILL be on the floor rolling in it gagging uncontrolably.

The best stuff I have seen so far (as I have used it ) is this stuff they sell at Wal-Mart (God I HATE that store).  This stuff is called Purple Power (Castrol Super Clean was also like it, but I think it was discontinued?). Not too nasty, as I use it to clean many years of stubborn crap from carbs (in the house - can you say no icky stink ). Because of this stuff I now can clean carbs in the warmth of the house. It is bio-degradeable. However a word of warning on how tough this stuff is.

Don't let it stay on your bare skin for more than a few minutes, drys you skin out pretty fast when it is used straight. However if you have a business meeting and need to get rid of the "permanent grime" on your hands, this will definitely do the trick. Naturally open cuts will hurt like hell.

When I am doing carbs I try to work fast in a straight concentration solution. If you guys use this for your carbs dont dunk'em longer than 10 minutes as it wont really help your situation.

[Jonesy]

The best stuff I have seen so far (as I have used it ) is this stuff they sell at Wal-Mart (God I HATE that store).  This stuff is called Purple Power (Castrol Super Clean was also like it, but I think it was discontinued?).

You can still get Super Clean at AutoZone. They have it in one gallon jugs.

[Dennis]

Those "purple cleaners" (there are a number of them both in well known  and unknown brand names) are like a commercial degreaser. They will remove ALL oils from your skin (see warning on label). I would suggest those disposable blue gloves when working with that stuff. It is pretty potent.
BTW: I have never had the opportunity to compare side by side so I have no idea if the NAME brands perform any better than the unknown stuff. I seem to recall that supposedly they work best when mixed with a little water, like a 1:1 ratio and can be mixed at much higher dilutions for less demanding cleaning tasks.

I didn't suggest it in response to this question because these products can remove certain types of paint, depending on several factors such as dilution and length of exposure.

So Cheapo, you have used this stuff on carbs?!
I never thought of that. I guess you were pleased with the result?
I'll have to give that a try next time.
What does the exterior finish look like after soaking? Shiny? Dull gray? I bet it would take the black paint off my Yamaha carbs! 

[Jonesy]

Another name-brand version is "Industrial Purple" by ZEP. You can get it at Home Despot.

I know guys in the antique outboard club (of which I belong) that use Castrol Super Clean to clean out the old remote gas tanks. They are clean as a whistle after a good soaking of full-strength cleaner! (Although I've heard of a dirty whistle... )

[ElCheapo]

Well if you let it stay too long you get the white oxidation flakes on the surface. I tried leaving an aluminum part that I did not care if it ate it and left it overnight. Really made a mess of things. Was a little tough to clean the oxidation off, didnt kill the part. But a ten minute dunk works perfect for most parts. I use a coffe can with the stuff in it. Just big enough to dunk 1 carb at a time. Not a big deal as most of my carb redos have been 2 lungers. Most of the time the come out somewhere between shiny and dull. Nice and clean though.

It's good to know that you can still get the tried and true castrol at autozone.

[Uncle Ernie]

Whatever you do- READ WARNING LABELS.  I know from experience that mixing the wrong chemicals can literally be deadly- like mixing ammonia based products with bleach based products.  Wear a mask and gloves.
Also, whatever you use, the idea of using a pressure washer is a good one if you have decent drainage. Otherwise, let whatever you use soak and get a scraper and go to it.

[Dennis]

Another name-brand version is "Industrial Purple" by ZEP. You can get it at Home Despot.

I know guys in the antique outboard club (of which I belong) that use Castrol Super Clean to clean out the old remote gas tanks. They are clean as a whistle after a good soaking of full-strength cleaner! (Although I've heard of a dirty whistle... )

I knew the home centers sold stuff like that, just couldn't remember which one sold what brand.
Now that you mention ZEP, I remember seeing it there.

Regarding those outboard fuel tanks, is there any paint damage to them when cleaned in this manner?
I've got one or two bike tanks with a heavy coating of varnish which could use a good cleaning.

[kghost]

For a dirty floor

Nothing beats Tide. Yup plain ol Tide laundry detergent.

Use a hose and a stiff bristled broom. Let the Tide sit on the greasy stained parts and scrub.

Not the most enviornmentaly freindly but cheap and it works.

[gaijin]

Awesome, I knew you guys would come through for me

I'll see what's available near me... or rather what's the easiest for me get my hands on. The shop floor needs a good scrub with some kind of industrial degreaser, and doesn't have any drains, so it'll be a lot of work.. but I'm tired of slipping around on grease while trying to move bikes around!

The biodegradable stuff sounds good, I'd feel better about letting that go through the gutter than some of the other stuff. Hmm...

[mylittleho]

Another name-brand version is "Industrial Purple" by ZEP. You can get it at Home Despot.

I know guys in the antique outboard club (of which I belong) that use Castrol Super Clean to clean out the old remote gas tanks. They are clean as a whistle after a good soaking of full-strength cleaner! (Although I've heard of a dirty whistle... )

Zep is awesome! I used Zep "driveway cleaner" I used a pressure washer but I believe and stiff brush and hose would be good also.. mix it up with hot water and spray with a garden sprayer let sit 5 minutes and rinse/brush/blast.. looks great afterwards.. don't know if it is for coated floors though.. I also like simple green.. I bought a gallon of the stuff one time and my parents wiped me out of it.. they use it on EVERYTHING...

[Jonesy]

This might sound kinda dumb, but what about dishwashing liquid? It was meant to go down the drain (although the oil and grease weren't) and lifting grease is what it's supposed to do. I know a couple professional mechanics that use it for washing thier hands since they find it better than the "industrial" hand cleaner they have at the shop...

Regarding those outboard fuel tanks, is there any paint damage to them when cleaned in this manner?
I've got one or two bike tanks with a heavy coating of varnish which could use a good cleaning.

I've never personally used it, just heard about the results, but I was told it will harm paint if you leave it on long enough.

[Bob Wessner]

but what about dish washing liquid?

Hmm, interesting, makes sense. Are you referring to the kind you would use if washing dishes by hand, or the liquid one might use in a dishwasher rather than the powder?

[Jonesy]

The stuff for washing them in the sink by hand. The powder stuff for the dishwasher is a bit stronger, and some have warnings not to get it on your skin...

[Bob Wessner]

Well, I have a garage floor that will qualify for a test case in the spring (65 yrs old) and pretty badly stained.