Removing Oil From Concrete Floor

QUESTION: What’s the best way to clean oil and grease from a concrete floor?

ANSWER: If oil has been freshly spilled onto a concrete surface, blot up as much as you can, then cover the spot with one of the following: powdered calcium carbonate, hydrated lime, talc or fuller’s earth. Portland cement can also be used. Let powder stand for 24 hours and then scrape it off.

If oil has penetrated into the concrete, scrape off whatever remains on the surface with a putty knife and then cover the stain with a stiff poultice made from one of the powdered substances above combined with a solution of 1 part trisodium phosphate and 6 parts water. Let the poultice stand 24 hours, then scrape it off. Scrub the surface with clean water.

Grease is easier to remove than oil. If scraping and scrubbing don’t work, use a poultice made from benzene, naphtha or trichloroethane and an inert powder. Allow it to stand 24 hours, then scrape the surface clean.

Try ZUD to Remove Rust From Bathtub

Q: Would you know of any chemicals that would clean a bathtub of a fine film of rust? I use Sani-Flush for our toilets, but the manufacturer suggests using it only for the toilet.

A: Try using ZUD. It’s available at most supermarkets and is quite effective in removing rust and stains from bathtubs, sinks and other household items. It comes as a powder and a 6-ounce container costs about $1.30 at supermarkets.

Cleaning May Restore Fiberglass Appearance

Q: The fiberglass privacy panels at one end of our patio are stained badly and would look better with fresh paint. What is the correct way to prepare them and paint them?

A: Try cleaning the panels with isopropyl alcohol, then buffing them with white buffing compound and a polishing disk mounted on a portable drill.

The result may cause you to think twice about the need for painting. If you still wish to paint, wipe the panels down with naphtha, rinse with water and then apply latex.

For further information, write to Popular Mechanics, Readers Service Bureau, 224 West 57th Street, New York, N.Y. 10019.