cleaning up oil spills in garage - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

67Fleet · 11-20-2005, 11:30 AM

Well, I was changing the oil in my wife's car yesterday and managed to spill a little on the garage floor. (surprise surprise) NOOO!!!!!! So I decided to try something new since it was handy. I threw down some powdered laundry detergent and rubbed it in. Left it overnight and vacuumed it up this morning. It was completely gone!!! Just thought I'd share the tip with everyone.

**Stocker** · 11-20-2005, 12:07 PM

Good tip! I generally use cat litter... grind it in a bit with my boot if necessary...

chevybill · 11-20-2005, 03:21 PM

extremely dry sandy soil will work also

fastwillie 696969 · 11-20-2005, 03:25 PM

i use rice my self it works too

86swb · 11-20-2005, 04:29 PM

Same as stocker-cat litter. Works great. Been using it for years.

Longhorn Man · 11-20-2005, 04:46 PM

on rough pavement I'll use cat litter, on smooth cement I use super clean and a mop.

86swb · 11-20-2005, 04:48 PM

Andy, why don't you use the cat litter on both? Just couriours. I do.

cdowns · 11-20-2005, 05:07 PM

a problem with using detergant like that on a regular basis is it will eventually break down leaving you with a highly caustic lye residue

LONGHAIR · 11-20-2005, 05:56 PM

It's got to be a lot more expensive too....

86swb · 11-20-2005, 06:28 PM

Yes, cat litter is cheap.

byrd · 11-20-2005, 06:45 PM

I use pour and restore. like it's name you just pour it on and it dries up leaving a little pile of dust to sweep up and works great!!!

Longhorn Man · 11-20-2005, 06:52 PM

I don't like the way cat litter scratches the floor up.

chevy_fatman · 11-20-2005, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70blowngmc

i use rice my self it works too

Next time I have a spill I would love to use your suggestion!!

cdowns · 11-20-2005, 08:49 PM

where i live the speedi-dri from the autoparts stores is about half the price of cat litter and the cats don't get confused as to where the crapper is

**tnblazerk5** · 11-20-2005, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

where i live the speedi-dri from the autoparts stores is about half the price of cat litter and the cats don't get confused as to where the crapper is

lmao

good one cliff

71SWBChevy · 11-20-2005, 10:41 PM

Just pour a little gasoline on it, then light all the oil, and anything flammable nearby immediately vanish!

fastwillie 696969 · 11-20-2005, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71SWBChevy

Just pour a little gasoline on it, then light all the oil, and anything flammable nearby immediately vanish!

yes like the house and garage

bucket · 11-20-2005, 11:54 PM

sawdust from your table saw cabinet is free & works good.

86swb · 11-21-2005, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 71SWBChevy

Just pour a little gasoline on it, then light all the oil, and anything flammable nearby immediately vanish!

I really would not suggest going with that one. Unless you just want to collect the insurance on your garage and maby more like your house.

Nelson · 11-21-2005, 01:19 AM

I am still laughing about the one using the Ricer!

VinceY · 11-21-2005, 01:24 AM

You know how brake cleaner and a rag takes oily substances off your truck. Works the same on your cement floor. Use the sawdust or whatever to soak up the main bulk of the oil and when you want to get the last traces off your floor - spray it and use your foot to wipe a rag around.

dubya · 11-21-2005, 02:59 PM

When I need to go crazy cleaning my DW I use a two step process. This is for very tough spots.
1) Pour Carb cleaner on the spill and brush it around with a push broom.
2) Use good ol' cat litter and scrape the crud out of it. The carb cleaner does wonders to break up the gunk.

I'm fully aware that carb-cleaner and the environ don't mix. But by ab sorbing it into the cat litter, I avoid washing it down the d/w. Yeah it's a bit more expeniive, but you get a spotless driveway.

W

71SWBChevy · 11-21-2005, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86swb

I really would not suggest going with that one. Unless you just want to collect the insurance on your garage and maby more like your house.

Yeah I know really I just use cat litter and grind it in with my boot.

70c10 · 11-21-2005, 09:45 PM

I did my floor with Rustoleum Epoxy Shield and spills wipe up easy

11-20-2005, 11:30 AM	#1
67Fleet Outlandish Trends - FL Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,396	cleaning up oil spills in garage Well, I was changing the oil in my wife's car yesterday and managed to spill a little on the garage floor. (surprise surprise) NOOO!!!!!! So I decided to try something new since it was handy. I threw down some powdered laundry detergent and rubbed it in. Left it overnight and vacuumed it up this morning. It was completely gone!!! Just thought I'd share the tip with everyone. __________________ -Bret 67 short-fleet sold!

11-20-2005, 12:07 PM	#2
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,763	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage Good tip! I generally use cat litter... grind it in a bit with my boot if necessary... __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

11-20-2005, 03:21 PM	#3
chevybill Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: calhoun city ms Posts: 940	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage extremely dry sandy soil will work also __________________ ongoing 1970 c 10 lwb 1994 z-28 few mods.-owned since new 1978 vette silver/grey 25th anniv. paint

11-20-2005, 03:25 PM	#4
fastwillie 696969 ~Rest In Peace~ Join Date: May 2005 Location: CALIFORNIA NOR CAL Posts: 9,707	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage i use rice my self it works too __________________ is it fast ? it has a lighting bolt donut? B___H please, I can remove 90% of your so called "beauty" with a kleenex

11-20-2005, 04:29 PM	#5
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage Same as stocker-cat litter. Works great. Been using it for years. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

11-20-2005, 04:46 PM	#6
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage on rough pavement I'll use cat litter, on smooth cement I use super clean and a mop.

11-20-2005, 04:48 PM	#7
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage Andy, why don't you use the cat litter on both? Just couriours. I do. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS Last edited by 86swb; 11-20-2005 at 04:48 PM.

11-20-2005, 05:07 PM	#8
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage a problem with using detergant like that on a regular basis is it will eventually break down leaving you with a highly caustic lye residue __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

11-20-2005, 05:56 PM	#9
LONGHAIR just can't cover up my redneck Join Date: May 2004 Location: Columbus OH Posts: 11,414	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage It's got to be a lot more expensive too....

11-20-2005, 06:28 PM	#10
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage Yes, cat litter is cheap. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

11-20-2005, 06:52 PM	#12
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage I don't like the way cat litter scratches the floor up.

11-20-2005, 08:49 PM	#14
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage where i live the speedi-dri from the autoparts stores is about half the price of cat litter and the cats don't get confused as to where the crapper is __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY Last edited by cdowns; 05-12-2006 at 08:06 AM.

11-20-2005, 10:41 PM	#16
71SWBChevy Post Whore Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Owensboro KY Posts: 11,905	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage Just pour a little gasoline on it, then light all the oil, and anything flammable nearby immediately vanish! __________________ Drew '71 Chevy 350/TH350 Hugger Orange Currently just a rolling frame, body work soon to follow!!! Check out my Build Thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=212927 Daily Driver: 1997 Chevrolet S-10 with more gears than pistons

11-20-2005, 11:54 PM	#18
bucket Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 923	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage sawdust from your table saw cabinet is free & works good.

11-21-2005, 01:19 AM	#20
Nelson Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: cambridge,ont,canada Posts: 128	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage I am still laughing about the one using the Ricer! __________________ Nelson 1970 C10 350 Auto. A/C not Working



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11-21-2005, 01:24 AM	#21
VinceY Just need a couple more parts. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 470	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage You know how brake cleaner and a rag takes oily substances off your truck. Works the same on your cement floor. Use the sawdust or whatever to soak up the main bulk of the oil and when you want to get the last traces off your floor - spray it and use your foot to wipe a rag around. __________________ --------------------------------------------------- 1947 Studebaker M5 project to match the camping trailer. 1950 Chev 4x4 Pickup 1958 Shasta Airflyte Travel trailer (fresh restoration) 1971 C/10 Pickup(Frame off Restoration) 1972 K5 Blazer CST (Daily Driver & My Company Truck) 1976 Honda CB750 Bobber 1988 Jaguar XJ12

11-21-2005, 02:59 PM	#22
dubya Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Sacramento Posts: 22	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage When I need to go crazy cleaning my DW I use a two step process. This is for very tough spots. 1) Pour Carb cleaner on the spill and brush it around with a push broom. 2) Use good ol' cat litter and scrape the crud out of it. The carb cleaner does wonders to break up the gunk. I'm fully aware that carb-cleaner and the environ don't mix. But by ab sorbing it into the cat litter, I avoid washing it down the d/w. Yeah it's a bit more expeniive, but you get a spotless driveway. W

11-21-2005, 09:45 PM	#24
70c10 67-72 Addict! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: The TAX State! Posts: 7,856	Re: cleaning up oil spills in garage I did my floor with Rustoleum Epoxy Shield and spills wipe up easy Attached Images __________________ Jim 1970 C/10 Fleetside w/Ghost Flames Lowered 4.5" front and 4" rear (Raked) 355/350 Turbo w/shift kit 10" Redneck Performance Verter w/2500 stall Hooker Super Comps part#2808-1 Performer RPM Air-Gap 12 Bolt w/3:73 gears- Eaton Posi Comp Cams XE262 with 1.6 Crane Energizers, Road Demon 625 and Brodix IK 180 heads

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