Removing oil stains
 

Hi All,

Sometime back someone posted that they had worked a business of removing oil stains from driveways and parking lots.

Would greatly appreciate hearing from that SOWPub'er.

My Best 2 U,

LindaC:)

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi,

That was Don Alm that posted about oil stain removal.

You might do a search of the archives to see if it's still there too.

Pete

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi linda.

Pete is correct, Don Alm has sold a package in the past on how to do it.

More recently it was KBAYER ( not sure on spelling) that posted some results with it.

If you would like to see a product and talk to some folks that distribute a product.
goto
www.accclean.com
Best wishes,
Jason

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi Pete,

Thanks for the reply. However, someone else posted that they had done this for awhile. (Not Don).

My Best 2 U,

LindaC

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi Jason,

You are right. Now, if KBAYER would only reply.

My Best 2 U,

Lindac

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Is this a service that you are looking to offer?

If so, there are many here that may offer helpful input to make a go of it.


For instance, If this were something I were interested in providing, I may do a local search for commercial property for sale in my area, then contact the listing agents and or property owners to offer some inexpensive curb appeal.
I would do the same with residential property listings as a service to their driveway, garage and possibly basement.

Given time, this method is sure to deliver more and more work.

Best wishes,
Jason

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi,
I'm still here... I did it for a while with good success and I am confident that I could have really done well had I stuck with it. Now that I am employed in a "real" job (9-5'er), I'm really considering going back to it and doing evenings and weekends. I'm in Texas and it seemed to be raining EVERY day while I tried to get this up and running several months ago which can be incredibly frustrating and was the only downside a the time... oh, and finding business owners that were actually "in" was quite challenging as well, as I had no sales experience at the time and found their absence strange, but later learned it was quite the norm. Any specific questions??

Re: Removing oil stains
 

If anyone's interested in getting into the Oil stain removal Service business...

There's a ton of Oil Stain removal products and ideas out there...

But Checkout Judd Burdon's recommendation, who is one of Ken Evoy's sitesell SBI Success stories...

Focus and Market a niche Green Solution. :)

And then Get out into your Local Area and Market your Service(s) by Sampling etc...

Just take Action and Solve the Oil stain Problems & maybe a Full service specialty Cleaning business. ;)

Huge Profits! are waiting to be collected and...

You don't need to buy any information products to Do this business...

1000’s of uses! Perfect for use on Asphalt or Concrete Driveways, Floors, walkways and sidewalks. Super for degreasing engines, tools, lawnmovers and garden equipment, garbage cans, fencing and cleaning vinyl siding and great for pet stains, kitchens and bathrooms too...
http://www.asphaltkingdom.com/oil-stain-removal.html
http://www.asphaltkingdom.com/asphalt-sealing-job.html

Phil

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi everyone,

Special thanks to...Pete, Jason, Kbayer, and Phil.

Yes...I am planning on starting a Concrete, Asphalt, Sidewalk cleaning business.

Looking at different cleaning products to start with.

Question: What product do you recommend we start with?

My Best 2 U,

Linda

Re: Removing oil stains
 

409 is an excellent degreaser... The US Navy uses it to clean their jet engine parts. Saved millions of dollars compared to the commercial degreasers. And Purple Degreaser By Gunk is also a good product that you can use on concrete and asphalt. Also, if you are pressure washing, you need to get a concrete scrubber. Basically its a brush/jet contraption that you can attach to your power washer. They run around $150 at the pressure washing equipment co's. BUT they are well worth your money when it cuts your time doing driveways and sidewalks by half (or more). When I owed my parking lot sweeping business we did a lot of asphalt/concrete repair and cleaning. If you have any specific questions just shoot me a pm.

later.
Pappy

also.... if you're looking for a unique biz opp....
 

check these guys out.

http://www.elitecrete.com/

I looked into their products when we were refinishing drive ways....

hope this helps....
Pappy

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi Kbayer,

What product did you use?

I am thinking about using ACC Technologies products.

If you were to go back into this business what product/s would you start with?

My Best 2 U,

LindaC

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi Linda,
Pappy has some good advice as well.
The chems he mentions will work in many situations, however, many local municipalities have begun to take a "california look" at washing chems down the drain and into the water supply.

Not knowing your location, I may suggest that you can use this is part of your marketing .
suggest a solution to a problem!

The problem in this instance is dirty concrete/asphalt right?
The OLD solution was preassure washing ( that may or may not be acceptable in your area)

Jason

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi Jason,

You are right. Most business owners in my area are afraid of using liquid chemicals. And, power washing is out. Right now, there is a company that has been power washing driveways, sidewalks, parking lots in my area that has their truck and equipment up for sale.

I have a very good friend who owns 5 franchise businesses in my area. She has told me if I can clean the parking lots, sidewalks, and drive-thru pads using an enviromentially friendly product (at a reasonable price) I've got her stores...and she will make a call to the next franchisee ajoining her who has 25 stores.

If you or anyone knows of any other dry chemicals other than ACC Technologies products I would greatly appreciate your comments, suggestions.

My Best 2 U,

LindaC

Re: Removing oil stains
 

A short search shows this site that lists a few products that may be acceptable.
http://www.4specs.com/s/03/03-9910.html

Jason

Re: Removing oil stains
 

hi there...

thanks for the questions ...

i dont have any idea the cost or the availablility in your area..but I have had occasion to use the Shaklee Basic I for cleaning up some of the guys' messes....and it is environmentally ok and does a good job of removing the stains from roofing ..

I am not associated with the company ..

thanks
bob

Must it be dry?
 

Wouldn't a biodegradable cleaner be ok? If so, check out the line of cleaners from Simple Green that's available at Lowe's.

Pete

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi Pete,

All the liquid cleaners I have looked at so far requires rinsing or washing the product off after the spreading process. Most business owners are not interested in the same o' same o' mess on their driveways.

And, they certainly don't want any water with cleaner mixed in it entering the storm drains at their places of business.

I believe a dry environmental chemical is the way to go.

My Best 2 U,

LindaC

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hey Linda,

Are you sure you're not just opinionated on this yourself and trying to think for the customer?

I can tell you that after having sold, performed, and purchased this service, none of that stuff matters to the large majority of business owners or homeowners.

We want the stains gone. Period.

If that means pouring muratic acid on them and blasting them off with a pressure washer (the best way IMO), then that's what I'd be doing.

You would of course want to check with your state and county to see what is allowed (you'd probably be suprised what is) but I'd focus on the best way of doing it.

Environmentally friendly is always good but not often (such as in this case) the best.

Jim

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi Jim,

The business owners I have discussed this problem with all do not want to have anything put on their drive thru pads, parking lots, concrete pads at the gas pumps, or sidewalks that has to be rinsed off with water. They fear that chemicals will get into the storm drains and they will receive fines.

Granted, one may pick up one or two customers by using a liquid cleaner and rinsing the cleaned area with water...but after talking with potential customers I don't think the venture would generate the amount of money I am after if I used a liquid cleaner that has to be rinsed off with water.

My Best 2 U,

LindaC

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Are your potential customers washing their windows, buildings, pumps, walkways, etc with a waterhose? If not they shouldn't worry about oil stains because the concretes so dirty you probably can't see the stains.

If they are washing anything outside the building, or if it rains, then oil is going down the drain........They are probably violating some law just by washing down their walkway. Look at all of the chemicals off of the road that go down the storm water drains after a good rain. Ever noticed that nice glow to the puddles of water in a parking lot after a good rain?

The epa is not only concerned with what you use to remove the stains they also care about what you are removing. Oil, gas, etc......

Now Jim made a good point about getting the job done. But muriatic acid is very dangerous and CANNOT be washed down storm drains in any state in the USA. Also, the concrete needs to be resealed when using any kind of acid wash.

As you know concrete is very porous. Dry chemicals will not soak down into the concrete.

About the best thing dry to use on a fresh oil stain is cat litter.

The best product to use personally at your own home is carb. cleaner. Just don't smoke when applying carb. cleaner. HIGHLY FLAMABLE!

Pappy

Linda I found a product in my resource library...
 

http://www.5starshine.com/info-pournrestore.html

best of both worlds.... stuff is poured on an oil stain. Let dry, sweep it up.

Haven't used this product but its the closest thing I've found to what you want/need.

later...

Pappy

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Thanks Pappy,

I really appreciate you and everyone else's help.

That's what I like about this forum...someone is always willing to take time out of their day to help someone else.

I'll order the product, continue to set up this business and keep everyone up dated to the progress of the business venture.

My Best 2 U,

LindaC

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hey Linda!

What's wrong with the ACClean "POWDER"?....for BOTH... CONCRETE....and...ASPHALT?

Don Alm

Re: Removing oil stains
 

Hi Don,

Thanks for your post.

To my knowledge there is nothing wrong with using acclean "powder" for both concrete and asphalt.

My Best 2 U,

LindaC

Re: Removing oil stains
 

I'm sorry. I did NOT communicate my thought properly. I did NOT mean, "What is WRONG" with the product!

I "meant"...."WHY have YOU decided NOT to use it in YOUR efforts to find a product that will DO THE JOB....AND...satisfy environmental codes?"

I'm simply "curious" because I've used the product and so have others I've helped get into the "Oil Stain Removal" business and it has worked fine for us...on BOTH Concrete and Asphalt....AND "sidewalks".

Don Alm