Cleaning and Stain Removal - Tar Spill on Concrete Floor
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gladureno
07-02-08, 10:42 AM
I need advice on the best way to clean tar that has been spilled on a concrete floor. This is a new concrete floor in our garage. It has not been sealed. The spill happened a few days ago and i need to find a way to clean it up and remove any staining (if that is possible). Any advice would be appreciated.
gladureno
gladureno
Docduck
07-02-08, 10:45 PM
wd-40 may soften it and you can scrape it up
any staining you may have to use a poultice of play sand and pour on there and allow it to dry out remaining
any staining you may have to use a poultice of play sand and pour on there and allow it to dry out remaining
CNTRTOP
07-03-08, 12:52 AM
Dry Portland Cement powder works well on oil spills. I don't know how well it would work on tar, especially the black color, but it's worth a try after trying other methods and removing most of the stain. Leave it on for several days or weeks to see how it's doing. Good luck
marksr
07-03-08, 06:32 AM
Mineral spirits will disolve the tar but it will also cause the stain to spread.
btw - welcome to the forums!
btw - welcome to the forums!
gladureno
07-03-08, 09:41 AM
Thank you to:
marksr
CNTRTOP
Docduck
for your replies and advice. I'll try it out and see what happens. I looked at it today and it's still somewhat 'soft'. So i'm thinking that based on the advice provided, I'll try to scrape up with a plastic scraper then apply the product(s) suggested.
My very first time using a forum, so taking me a bit of time figuring out how it all works. But very kewl!
Thanks again!
gladureno:)
marksr
CNTRTOP
Docduck
for your replies and advice. I'll try it out and see what happens. I looked at it today and it's still somewhat 'soft'. So i'm thinking that based on the advice provided, I'll try to scrape up with a plastic scraper then apply the product(s) suggested.
My very first time using a forum, so taking me a bit of time figuring out how it all works. But very kewl!
Thanks again!
gladureno:)
Gunguy45
07-03-08, 09:51 AM
Do like we did for Hazmat spills to minimize spreading the stain. After scraping all the solid stuff up, use rags, paper towels, whatever you plan to use and the solvent. Wipe from the outside towards the center, using new clean area of cloth/ towel on each wipe, working your way around the entire stained area, repeat as necessary.
Dispose of solvent soaked rags/towels properly
Dispose of solvent soaked rags/towels properly
gladureno
07-03-08, 11:34 AM
Thank you - any particular solvent you know of?
marksr
07-03-08, 05:18 PM
Gas, kerosene and most paint thinners will work but mineral spirits would be the best choice -least volatile, least odor and possibly the cheapest.
gladureno
07-03-08, 10:08 PM
Thank you very much! So helpful! :)
Docduck
07-04-08, 08:30 AM
take some sand and ring the spill before applying the solvent..that will keep it from spreading
gladureno
07-05-08, 05:09 AM
Thank you! We'll try that.