Removing oil stains from bluestone?
Don Wiss
chain oil. Between cuts I set it down on the sawdust on the bluestone. Then
when sweeping up I found an oil spot at each place I set it down. I
certainly won't do this again, but the immediate problem is how to clean
off the stains. I did some Googling. I got a variety of suggestions. Does
anyone have some firsthand experience as to which of these actually work?
Make a poultice: Take your strongest oil remover* mix it with Talc (baby
powder). Apply, cover with plastic, do it hundred times. Leave poultice for
24 hours and repeat. It draws the stain out.
* Like the Techniseals product?
http://www.techniseal.com/web/product.php?prodID=14
[The closest place to buy is a 3 hour round trip.]
Try baking soda or powder to absorb it.
When stain is still fresh apply anything absorbent like baking soda, flour,
sawdust, salt. After the fact, you can try applying a paste made from
baking soda, scrubbing it into the stain, letting it dry in place, then
washing it off. Some people have success pouring cola and/or scrubbing with
dishwashing detergent. There are probably commercial cleaners available in
auto supply stores.
A good scrubbing with a grease cutting cleaner like Simple Green or that
orange stuff should take care of it.
Try a bit of peroxide mixed w/ the baking soda - scrub it in & let it sit
for a bit. May have to repeat.
Wash with a strong solution of washing soda and hot water. If stain
remains, make a paste of 1 pound strong powdered cleaner, 2 cups powdered
chalk, and 1 gallon water and cover the stain. Or, cover with a paste made
from fullers earth (an absorbent clay used for removing grease from
fabrics) and hot water. Leave the paste on overnight. Rinse with clear
water. Repeat if necessary.
Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).
P.S. Before jumping on me asking why I was cutting up the logs on
bluestone, the answer is I have no choice. The front areaway (where the
wood is) is all bluestone. And also all of the backyard, plus it would be a
major effort getting the logs from the front to the back.
Evan
> I bought an electric chain saw and following instructions I added bar and
> chain oil. Between cuts I set it down on the sawdust on the bluestone. Then
> when sweeping up I found an oil spot at each place I set it down. I
> certainly won't do this again, but the immediate problem is how to clean
> off the stains. I did some Googling. I got a variety of suggestions. Does
> anyone have some firsthand experience as to which of these actually work?
>
> Make a poultice: Take your strongest oil remover* mix it with Talc (baby
> powder). Apply, cover with plastic, do it hundred times. Leave poultice for
> 24 hours and repeat. It draws the stain out.
>
> [The closest place to buy is a 3 hour round trip.]
>
> Try baking soda or powder to absorb it.
>
> When stain is still fresh apply anything absorbent like baking soda, flour,
> sawdust, salt. After the fact, you can try applying a paste made from
> baking soda, scrubbing it into the stain, letting it dry in place, then
> washing it off. Some people have success pouring cola and/or scrubbing with
> dishwashing detergent. There are probably commercial cleaners available in
> auto supply stores.
>
> A good scrubbing with a grease cutting cleaner like Simple Green or that
> orange stuff should take care of it.
>
> Try a bit of peroxide mixed w/ the baking soda - scrub it in & let it sit
> for a bit. May have to repeat.
>
> Wash with a strong solution of washing soda and hot water. If stain
> remains, make a paste of 1 pound strong powdered cleaner, 2 cups powdered
> chalk, and 1 gallon water and cover the stain. Or, cover with a paste made
> from fullers earth (an absorbent clay used for removing grease from
> fabrics) and hot water. Leave the paste on overnight. Rinse with clear
> water. Repeat if necessary.
>
> Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).
>
> P.S. Before jumping on me asking why I was cutting up the logs on
> bluestone, the answer is I have no choice. The front areaway (where the
> wood is) is all bluestone. And also all of the backyard, plus it would be a
> major effort getting the logs from the front to the back.
Try the methods you have researched...
One or more of them will work...
Next time you need to cut logs, I recommend putting down plastic
where you will be placing the oil soaked electric chain saw...
~~ Evan
David Nebenzahl
> I bought an electric chain saw and following instructions I added bar and
> chain oil. Between cuts I set it down on the sawdust on the bluestone. Then
> when sweeping up I found an oil spot at each place I set it down. I
> certainly won't do this again, but the immediate problem is how to clean
> off the stains. I did some Googling. I got a variety of suggestions. Does
> anyone have some firsthand experience as to which of these actually work?
I know from experience what'll work because just today I had to wipe
some spilled oil (Watco teak oil) from slate. Just used ordinary paint
thinner, and it worked fine. Any equivalent solvent will work (naphtha,
turpentine, etc.) Don't use acetone or lacquer thinner--overkill.
--
The fashion in killing has an insouciant, flirty style this spring,
with the flaunting of well-defined muscle, wrapped in flags.
- Comment from an article on Antiwar.com (http://antiwar.com)
Don Wiss
>On 10/19/2010 3:09 PM Don Wiss spake thus:
>
>> I bought an electric chain saw and following instructions I added bar and
>> chain oil. Between cuts I set it down on the sawdust on the bluestone. Then
>> when sweeping up I found an oil spot at each place I set it down. I
>> certainly won't do this again, but the immediate problem is how to clean
>> off the stains. I did some Googling. I got a variety of suggestions. Does
>> anyone have some firsthand experience as to which of these actually work?
>
>I know from experience what'll work because just today I had to wipe
>some spilled oil (Watco teak oil) from slate. Just used ordinary paint
>thinner, and it worked fine. Any equivalent solvent will work (naphtha,
>turpentine, etc.) Don't use acetone or lacquer thinner--overkill.
I don't think slate is as porous as bluestone. This all soaked in right
away.
David Nebenzahl
I'd still try solvent. You may still have to use one of those other
methods of attack you found, but it will definitely not hurt to try to
sop up some of the oil with paint thinner or equivalent.
nor...@earthlink.net
> I bought an electric chain saw and following instructions I added bar and
> chain oil. Between cuts I set it down on the sawdust on the bluestone. Then
> when sweeping up I found an oil spot at each place I set it down. I
> certainly won't do this again, but the immediate problem is how to clean
> off the stains. I did some Googling. I got a variety of suggestions. Does
> anyone have some firsthand experience as to which of these actually work?
>
> Make a poultice: Take your strongest oil remover* mix it with Talc (baby
> powder). Apply, cover with plastic, do it hundred times. Leave poultice for
> 24 hours and repeat. It draws the stain out.
>
> * Like the Techniseals product?
> http://www.techniseal.com/web/product.php?prodID=14
> [The closest place to buy is a 3 hour round trip.]
>
> Try baking soda or powder to absorb it.
>
> When stain is still fresh apply anything absorbent like baking soda, flour,
> sawdust, salt. After the fact, you can try applying a paste made from
> baking soda, scrubbing it into the stain, letting it dry in place, then
> washing it off. Some people have success pouring cola and/or scrubbing with
> dishwashing detergent. There are probably commercial cleaners available in
> auto supply stores.
>
> A good scrubbing with a grease cutting cleaner like Simple Green or that
> orange stuff should take care of it.
>
> for a bit. May have to repeat.
>
> Wash with a strong solution of washing soda and hot water. If stain
> remains, make a paste of 1 pound strong powdered cleaner, 2 cups powdered
> chalk, and 1 gallon water and cover the stain. Or, cover with a paste made
> from fullers earth (an absorbent clay used for removing grease from
> fabrics) and hot water. Leave the paste on overnight. Rinse with clear
> water. Repeat if necessary.
>
> Don<www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).
>
> P.S. Before jumping on me asking why I was cutting up the logs on
> bluestone, the answer is I have no choice. The front areaway (where the
> wood is) is all bluestone. And also all of the backyard, plus it would be a
> major effort getting the logs from the front to the back.
I used cat litter to soak up motor oil from concrete...worked very well.
Spread it on, mash it in with your foot, and let it soak for a couple
of days. Sweep it up, hose off the dust that remains. Repeat if still
stained.
ransley
> I bought an electric chain saw and following instructions I added bar and
> chain oil. Between cuts I set it down on the sawdust on the bluestone. Then
> when sweeping up I found an oil spot at each place I set it down. I
> certainly won't do this again, but the immediate problem is how to clean
> off the stains. I did some Googling. I got a variety of suggestions. Does
> anyone have some firsthand experience as to which of these actually work?
>
> Make a poultice: Take your strongest oil remover* mix it with Talc (baby
> powder). Apply, cover with plastic, do it hundred times. Leave poultice for
> 24 hours and repeat. It draws the stain out.
>
> [The closest place to buy is a 3 hour round trip.]
>
> Try baking soda or powder to absorb it.
>
> When stain is still fresh apply anything absorbent like baking soda, flour,
> sawdust, salt. After the fact, you can try applying a paste made from
> baking soda, scrubbing it into the stain, letting it dry in place, then
> washing it off. Some people have success pouring cola and/or scrubbing with
> dishwashing detergent. There are probably commercial cleaners available in
> auto supply stores.
>
> A good scrubbing with a grease cutting cleaner like Simple Green or that
> orange stuff should take care of it.
>
> Try a bit of peroxide mixed w/ the baking soda - scrub it in & let it sit
> for a bit. May have to repeat.
>
> Wash with a strong solution of washing soda and hot water. If stain
> remains, make a paste of 1 pound strong powdered cleaner, 2 cups powdered
> chalk, and 1 gallon water and cover the stain. Or, cover with a paste made
> from fullers earth (an absorbent clay used for removing grease from
> fabrics) and hot water. Leave the paste on overnight. Rinse with clear
> water. Repeat if necessary.
>
> Don <www.donwiss.com> (e-mail link at home page bottom).
>
> P.S. Before jumping on me asking why I was cutting up the logs on
> bluestone, the answer is I have no choice. The front areaway (where the
> wood is) is all bluestone. And also all of the backyard, plus it would be a
> major effort getting the logs from the front to the back.
It might never come out except with time, you could treat the whole
floor with a treatment for bluestone, then it will all match
Arthur Shapiro
>I bought an electric chain saw and following instructions I added bar and
>chain oil.
Without any personal experience in this exact situation, I wonder whether a
small amount of diatomaceous earth might be worth applying to the stain areas.
It's pretty spectacular stuff - kind of like kitty litter on steroids.
Art
David Nebenzahl
I wonder; I know it's great as an insecticide for certain species, but
that's because it contains microscopically-sharp surfaces that cut the
bug's exterior. Not sure how absorbent the stuff is. Cat litter might
actually be better; I've used that on oil spills (on concrete) and it
works pretty well.
Don Wiss
>Don Wiss wrote:
>>I bought an electric chain saw and following instructions I added bar and
>>chain oil.
>
>Without any personal experience in this exact situation, I wonder whether a
>small amount of diatomaceous earth might be worth applying to the stain areas.
> It's pretty spectacular stuff - kind of like kitty litter on steroids.
Hi Art,
Diatomaceous earth is what my father used 50+ years ago, back when he was
purchasing agent for a machine shop like factory. I decided to go for the
Techniseal Professional Grade Oil & Grease Remover that I mentioned in my
original article. Problem is no one sells it near me, and landscape and
stone places don't ship. So I found a place near my father. He is on his
way to buy a quart and send it to me.
I have also bought a 3 mil plastic sheet to put down before continuing on
the project. Thanks to Evan for that suggestion.
Adding in the $24.95 for the Oil & Grease Remover I am now over $100 spent
on my "free" firewood. And that doesn't include an extension cord. For the
first pass I put four a/c extension cords together. At least I will have a
chain saw handy for the next tornado that blows through my Brooklyn
neighborhood.
Arthur Shapiro
>. I decided to go for the
>Techniseal Professional Grade Oil & Grease Remover that I mentioned in my
>original article.
Don, I hope you'll report back on the success/lack of success of this product.
The general problem is something a lot of us face from time to time.
Art
