Say folks, The NAPA stores used to sell a product called Hi-Dri. It reminds on of kitty litter but it flat soaks up any spilled oil spots on concrete. Just pour a generous amount of it over the oily area and leave it alone. Next day walk over it and then just leave it alone. If it gets blown off by wind put on some more. The stain will go away, trust me. I used it on the cement floor of a greasy spoon I once owned and it cleared up ten years of spilled grease and anything else one could imagine. I think Wal-Mart also sells a similar product in the automotive area. Cy, the Ancient Okie...
-----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Boyce, Ray Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 8:24 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [BlindHandyMan] Cleaning Oil Spots from a Driveway or Garage floor A big oil spot in the middle of your driveway can make the most meticulously maintained home look dingy. Whether a leak from your car or someone else's created that mark on your concrete driveway, garage floor or sidewalk, it can all be lightened enough as to be barely visible. Try the first suggestion, then work your way down the list as necessary. Whatever you do, don't procrastinate. Bare concrete floors are porous and permanently stain if oil, grease and dirt are not removed quickly. End each remedy by hosing down and air-drying the treated area. Steps: 1. Pour cola on the oily or dry stained areas, and leave the cola on overnight. Squirt a generous amount of dishwashing liquid into a bucket until you have a good lather. Rinse with the soapy water, then with a garden hose. 2. Sprinkle baking soda or an absorbent powder such as cornmeal or sawdust on the oily spots. If the stain is dry, wet it first to make a scouring paste. Scrub with a stiff brush or push broom. 3. Sprinkle automatic dishwasher detergent on the oily concrete. Leave it for several minutes, then pour boiling water on the stained area. Scrub with a stiff brush or push broom, then rinse. 4. Try a commercial concrete cleaner such as Garage and Driveway Cleaner by Red Devil Co. or a grease solvent such as Benzine. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. 5. Sprinkle trisodium phosphate (TSP) on the oily concrete. If the stain is dry, wet it first. Let it stand for 30 minutes. Scrub using a stiff broom. TSP is a dangerous product; if you must use it, wear rubber or latex gloves, safety goggles and protective clothing. Also, never wash a TSP product down storm drains. 6. As a last resort, combat tough spills with muriatic acid and a pressure washer. Apply the acid following the manufacturer's directions, and let it soak for several seconds. Follow with a pressure washer set at 2,500 to 3,000 lbs. per square inch (psi), or 176 to 211 kg per square cm. Like TSP, muriatic acid is a dangerous product; likewise, if you must use it, wear rubber or latex gloves, safety goggles and protective clothing, and never wash such a product down storm drains. 7. After trying any of the strategies above, sprinkle baking soda over the cleaned area to neutralize the solution you've used. Overall Tips: Place cardboard under an oil drop or lawn mower to catch stains before they happen. Seal concrete to prevent staining. See How to Seal a Garage Floor. Get that leaky car fixed! Overall Warnings: Grease solvents are flammable, so make sure you have excellent ventilation and avoid spark and flame. Sealing a concrete garage floor protects it from road salt, eliminates concrete dust, makes it easier to sweep and prevents stains. It's also a great primer if you want to paint the floor. Steps: 1. Use a hose to scrub the floor with commercial concrete cleaner and degreaser according to the manufacturer's instructions. 2. In stained areas, let the cleaner soak in for up to 30 minutes, and repeat the application as needed for stubborn stains. 3. When the floor is dry, put the sealer in a large paint tray. Use a brush to cut in the perimeter and then roll the rest with a mediumnap paint roller, equipped with a long handle. Work your way out of the garage. Apply generously but roll out all puddles. Sealer will stain surfaces, so apply it carefully and mask other areas when spraying. 4. Clean up tools with warm soapy water immediately and allow the sealer to dry as directed by the manufacturer. Do not apply a second coat. Overall Warnings: Read product cautions and directions, ventilate the room, and wear protection such as goggles and a respirator mask. Iron can leave rust marks on your concrete drive that may seem impossible to remove. Here are some methods to use for removing those unsightly red stains. Steps: 1. Mix 1 ounce of tri-sodium phosphate (TSP) in a gallon of hot water. This chemical can be found at hardware and paint stores. Wet the concrete and use a scrub brush to apply the solution. Scrub vigorously and let the solution soak into the concrete for 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse well. 2. Try a product called Iron Out, which is sold in plumbing supply stores. 3. Combat really bad stains with a pressure washer and muriatic acid. Apply the acid as directed by the manufacturer, leave it to soak for a few seconds, and follow with a pressure washer set at 2,500-3,000 psi. Sprinkle baking soda over the cleaned area to neutralize the acid and wash again. Tips: Concrete is porous and should be sealed to prevent staining. Promptly rinse fertilizers containing iron off concrete surfaces. Warnings: These products can burn eyes and irritate skin. Follow the manufacturer's directions and precautions carefully. Muriatic acid is dangerous and should only be used as a last resort. Do not wash it into storm drains. ********************************************************************** This message and its attachments may contain legally privileged or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient, you must not disclose or use the information contained in it. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete the e-mail. Any content of this message and its attachments which does not relate to the official business of Eraring Energy must be taken not to have been sent or endorsed by Eraring Energy. No warranty is made that the e-mail or attachment(s) are free from computer virus or other defect. ********************************************************************** [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following Address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links -- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.405 / Virus Database: 268.11.5/425 - Release Date: 8/22/2006 To listen to the show archives go to link http://acbradio.org/handyman.html or ftp://ftp.acbradio.org/acbradio-archives/handyman/ The Pod Cast address for the Blind Handy Man Show is. http://www.acbradio.org/news/xml/podcast.php?pgm=saturday The Pod Cast address for the Cooking In The Dark Show is. http://www.gcast.com/u/cookingindark/main.xml Visit The New Blind Handy Man Files Page To Review Contributions From Various List Members At The Following Address: http://www.jaws-users.com/handyman/ Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the Blind Handy Man list just send a blank message to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/blindhandyman/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
