Selected Answers

From Mark Edmonds of Vigor Shipyards Inc. on January 18, 2012:
I agree with Mr. Knell. I, too, have used a live ...read more I agree with Mr. Knell. I, too, have used a live oil-eating bacteria with very good success.

From tim hady of tjhady painting on January 11, 2012:
     Use a degreaser, then rem ...read more      Use a degreaser, then remove that residue wtih acetone.

From remko tas of Futuro SRL on January 12, 2012:
     The removal of oils that ...read more      The removal of oils that have penetrated deep into a concrete floor is dificult, since after each cleaning it will creep up again. I would steam wash it first, then apply a degreaser and steam wash it again. This process will likely have to be repeated two or three times until the surface does not appear oily anymore. Applying a thinned epoxy primer with tolerance to some humidity to penetrate the top layer without really covering it will help to stop the oil creeping up before applying the real coating.

From SAMUEL FELISARIO of PT RAJAWALI HIYOTO on January 13, 2012:
A strong alkaline cleaner to soak the surface and ...read more A strong alkaline cleaner to soak the surface and penetrate deep into the concrete. Soak overnight followed by waterjet rinsing. Depending on the amount of contamination the process can be repeated. Follow this with a penetrating water-borned epoxy. Waterborne or solvent borne epoxy coatings can then be applied. Avoid use of solvent containing epoxy sealer.

From Priya Samaroo of ftfarfan ltd on January 10, 2012:
     Use a concrete degreaser ...read more      Use a concrete degreaser and, after thoroughly drying for a couple of days, etch the concrete. When it has dried, apply non- skid or an anti-slip coating.

From ROYER Jean baptiste of protective engineering on January 30, 2012:
     I think the classic "solv ...read more      I think the classic "solvent" or alkaline degreaser" cleaners work only on the first inch of the concrete and offer good adhesion to the primer, usualy epoxy.  But we could have a look at biologically active bacteria that "convert" grease into  water + CO2, going deeper than other cleaners, while producing only non-hazardous waste. The bacteria die when they don't find any more grease!

From Alan DiRienzo of A&A Coating on January 13, 2012:
     I don't believe you can t ...read more      I don't believe you can totally remove the oil that is deeply embedded. I have been installing epoxy floors in production facilities for over 20 years and have yet to find anything that would totally remove the oil. Therefore, your best bet is that, once it is prepped, apply your primer ASAP. I have had some success with both acrylic and solvent-based primers. If there is something that really works, I would purchase it today.

From Timothy Knell of Shore Corporation on January 13, 2012:
     We use a strong alkaline ...read more      We use a strong alkaline degreaser, which removes all surface contamination and opens up clogged pores. Then we use a special concrete cleaner containing live, oil-eating bacteria that continually cleans the oily contaminants as they migrate toward the surface. This combo process has greatly increased the penetration of waterborne concrete treatments and the adhesion of several types of coatings.