Removing oil stains

Originally Posted by LindaC

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.

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

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

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

Hey Linda!

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

Don Alm

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

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