What is the toughest stain?

[Carlos]

Flatworkers....you have been around the pressure washing block a few times. What is the toughest or most challenging stain that you dealt with? I mean the stain that no matter what you threw at it as far as chems...it just would not come off?

[The Cleaner]

Flatworkers....you have been around the pressure washing block a few times. What is the toughest or most challenging stain that you dealt with? I mean the stain that no matter what you threw at it as far as chems...it just would not come off?

The real heavy grease that has been laying on the ground for years around a grease container @ the restaurants in the dumpster pad.

[Carlos]

Nick...do you scrap the build up off or do you soften it with chems?

[The Cleaner]

Nick...do you scrap the build up off or do you soften it with chems?

We have scraped up the top layer and put down some heavy duty degreeser, and even then we have to re do over and over until there is only a shadow.

[Ron Musgraves]

We have scraped up the top layer and put down some heavy duty degreeser, and even then we have to re do over and over until there is only a shadow.

Scrapping Grease off COncrete is always a Joy.

How long do you usally let the chems Dwell? When its layers of grease like that.

[GrimeBusters]

The main problem with oil and grease after allowed to sit on concrete for extended period of time is that the oils penetrate the concrete, since concrete is a porous material. I have witnessed concrete slabs after demolition at a former gas station. The oil had penetrated the concrete 3" plus. This is why in many cases a "shadow" remains.

One recent example: As many of you know Toyota has had it's share of recall issues recently. I have performed dozens of oil spill projects for Toyota since the first of the year. On several Toyota models, an oil line failure is apparently an ongoing issue.

The first call for service I received was for 2 separate locations in Sun City west. The responsible dealership first tried to resolve the issue themselves. They sent an employee our from their service department. His first step was to apply oil dry on the oil spills (exactly what needs to be done immediately to absorb the surface oils). His next steps resulted in disaster. He "assumed" that pouring brake fluid and paint thinner on the oil stains, followed by using the portable, cold water pressure washer he brought with him would be the answer.

The end result was the oil was diluted and actually forced deeper into the concrete by his decision to use brake fluid and paint thinner. Then the diluted oil was most likely forced deeper into the concrete when he used the cold water pressure washer (with a zero degree tip, I forgot to add, which left it's own damage to the concrete).

As I mentioned, there were 2 separate properties involved by this 1 oil line rupture. The owner of the Toyota didn't realize the oil when he left his residence and drove over to his girlfriends residence, spilling oil all over her driveway also.

End result; 2 driveways that could of been resolved properly for a few hundred dollars. Learned from the region manager of Toyota that is my main contact now that these 2 properties required a concrete coating contractor to remove the sections where the oil was forced deep into the concrete, patch those areas, then perform a complete overlay of both driveways. Did not share the exact amount spent, but he did tell me it was in the thousands of dollars.

[Ron Musgraves]

The main problem with oil and grease after allowed to sit on concrete for extended period of time is that the oils penetrate the concrete, since concrete is a porous material. I have witnessed concrete slabs after demolition at a former gas station. The oil had penetrated the concrete 3" plus. This is why in many cases a "shadow" remains.

One recent example: As many of you know Toyota has had it's share of recall issues recently. I have performed dozens of oil spill projects for Toyota since the first of the year. On several Toyota models, an oil line failure is apparently an ongoing issue.

The first call for service I received was for 2 separate locations in Sun City west. The responsible dealership first tried to resolve the issue themselves. They sent an employee our from their service department. His first step was to apply oil dry on the oil spills (exactly what needs to be done immediately to absorb the surface oils). His next steps resulted in disaster. He "assumed" that pouring brake fluid and paint thinner on the oil stains, followed by using the portable, cold water pressure washer he brought with him would be the answer.

The end result was the oil was diluted and actually forced deeper into the concrete by his decision to use brake fluid and paint thinner. Then the diluted oil was most likely forced deeper into the concrete when he used the cold water pressure washer (with a zero degree tip, I forgot to add, which left it's own damage to the concrete).

As I mentioned, there were 2 separate properties involved by this 1 oil line rupture. The owner of the Toyota didn't realize the oil when he left his residence and drove over to his girlfriends residence, spilling oil all over her driveway also.

End result; 2 driveways that could of been resolved properly for a few hundred dollars. Learned from the region manager of Toyota that is my main contact now that these 2 properties required a concrete coating contractor to remove the sections where the oil was forced deep into the concrete, patch those areas, then perform a complete overlay of both driveways. Did not share the exact amount spent, but he did tell me it was in the thousands of dollars.

Have you ever Experinced that Stuff in a grease dumpster 1/4 inch thick and hard as a rock?

Thats by far the most difficult I have ever encountered.

Motor Oil can be equally as tough but seems to always penitrate the area.

[GrimeBusters]

Oh yeah. I bought one of those tools that I think are meant for roofers and/or tile guys to strip roofs or old flooring. Works well. I used a garden hoe (no disrespect intended) from my shed once, and only once. Broke it almost immediately. Had to go buy a new hoe (once again, not what some might be thinking) and bought the roofing/tile tool while at Home Depot.

Have you ever Experinced that Stuff in a grease dumpster 1/4 inch thick and hard as a rock?

Thats by far the most difficult I have ever encountered.

Motor Oil can be equally as tough but seems to always penitrate the area.

[tdemaree]

Anyone ever try to get transmission fluid out of concrete?

[GrimeBusters]

Oil Sponge HD. Works wonders on all oils, with the exception of synthetics.

http://www.oilsponge.com/oilspongehd.html

Anyone ever try to get transmission fluid out of concrete?