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Removing oil stains
Lubricating or fuel oil penetrates rapidly into concrete. However, if spillages are removed promptly they should not stain. The oil should be soaked up with an absorbent material, such as paper towels or cloth. The surface should then be covered with a dry absorbent powder, such as cement or cat litter. This should be repeated until the powder absorbs no more oil.
When the oil has soaked into the concrete, the area can be brushed with a proprietary engine cleaning fluid and the emulsified oil washed away. Alternatively, in well-ventilated situations, solvents may be used though several applications may be required. A finally approach is to scrub the surface with a strong detergent solution and then wash it with hot water.
Acknowledgement:
The Concrete Society
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Visual Concrete: Weathering, stains and efflorescence
