QUICK! I need help PLEASE

[The Critic]

I dripped two drops, dime-sized, of used engine oil onto the cement while changing oil. I immediately spread laundry detergent over it to soak it up (not much anyway). I'm trying to remove the stains. Currently, I've tried using Greased Lightening, with no luck. Ajax "paste" is on it right now.

Someone suggested auto dishwashing detergent...any ideas?

TIA.

Update #1: Ajax paste didn't work. Now trying Kirkland Auto Dishwashing powder w/how water rinse.

Update #2: Now melted auto dishwashing powder...scrubbed with the bottom of my sandal...left it soaking on the cement.

Wish me luck..

[ May 27, 2006, 08:29 PM: Message edited by: The Critic ]

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Brake Clean. Works 100% of the time with me. I spilled an entire pan of oil on my garage floor. Many shop towels and a half a can of brake clean, you couldn't tell if even a single drop was spilled!

 

[Al]

I'm surprised Greased Lightening didn't work.

 

[The Critic]

Crap...Autodishwashing detergent didn't work

I said forget it...


EDIT- I'm tempted to go extract some battery acid from the car battery...dilute it 50/50...and try that.

 

[The_Jeff]

quote:

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Originally posted by The Critic:

EDIT- I'm tempted to go extract some battery acid from the car battery...dilute it 50/50...and try that.

---

I wouldn't do that... it would seem to escalate things with your luck.

That spot might become less visible over time.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Brake clean is only like $3 a can....

 

[buster]

Two dime drops is nothing. I've spilled a **** of a lot more than that before. Try Coke or Pepsi...that actually works. I've also used Simple Green and Grease Lightning also.

 

[sxg6]

I was thinking the same buster. Whats the big fuss over two drops?

 

[The Critic]

I just like to keep concrete looking as new as possible, that's all.

I was changing the oil on my lawnmower (10 yr old Craftsman). I generally change it yearly, even though its used for 1/2 hr every 2 weeks for 9 months out of the year. Recently, since I assumed the duty of lawn service, I changed it every 6 months. The oil came out with a strong fuel odor.

Too bad I'm out of Coke/Pepsi. Does any other soda work? I'll have to check with my ex-chemistry teacher to see if he has any muriatic acid I can borrow.

 

[sxg6]

quote:

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Originally posted by The Critic:
I just like to keep concrete looking as new as possible, that's all.

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Nothing wrong with that. I'd feel the same if i had a clean garage floor.

 

[Papa Bear]

Ditto...Critic, if two little drips gets your knickers all in a knot, you do need help.
Take a deep breath....AAaahhhhhhh.......now put a little of that battery acid on the spots. Don't dilute it, just put it on. We used to clean the shop floor at the service station I worked at in '59-'60 when I was in High School with battery acid every month or so. That floor had beeen cleaned with acid since 1929 and it was in perfect condition. Cleaned up like new. Let it sit for a while and then wash with detergent and rinse.
The service station was a "White Rose" station, later bought out by Shell.
P.B.

 

[moribundman]

quote:

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I dripped two drops, dime-sized, of used engine oil onto the cement while changing oil.

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I'll sic the EPA on you, you gross polluter!

 

[The Critic]

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I did post on the OIL forum as well but posted here in hopes of quicker response. (Now irrelevant)

Anyways, these are the different cleaners I tried, in order, from the best that I can remember:

1) Sears HE Laundry Detergent sprinkled liberally over the stains immediately after I dripped the oil there; it was later rinsed off with a hose after about 10 minutes.

2) Simple Green (Full Strength), five minute soak followed by rinse w/garden hose.

3) Greased Lightening (Full Strength), five minute soak, followed by rinse w/garden hose.

4) Ajax sprinkled liberally over the stains, wet gently with hose into a paste, and was allowed to soak for 10 minutes. Rinsed with hose.

5) Kirkland Auto Dishwashing Detergent with enzymes, sprinkled over the stains, wet w/hot water, turning it into a very slick, off-white color water…allowed to soak for 10 minutes, then rinsed w/cold hose water.

After #5, the stain was still visible (remember, I spilled TWO dime-sized drops), I called it quits.

I come back this morning to find the area completely clean…I can’t even see the stains anymore. No, no one knows about it except me. Either the Auto dishwashing detergent worked wonders, or it was a combination of those five different cleaners.

 

[moribundman]

Try a UV light in the dark.

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

Great, now you've ushered a whole bunch of harsh chemicals into your lawn.

Poor lawn.

Shortly, you'll be back here asking "what lawn fertilizers bring back dead grass to life the quickest? LOL

 

[TheLoneRanger]

Critic, now that you've gotten the spots out, consider applying some clear concrete sealer. It'll repel oil and will make spills much easier to clean in the future. Oil won't soak in, and a quick wipe will eliminate any drips.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

"No, no one knows about it except me"
============================================================

No, nobody's heard about it

 

[Auto-Union]

Laundry powder is a good choice. In the future, to completely avoid any problems on new concrete...spray it with water first. It will repell spilled oil 100%.

 

[tom slick]

you need some "pour n restore".

now get your driveway sealed before you have any more unfortunate events.