Hot water though a surface cleaner?

[johnmurrell]

G'day
I usually just use cold water, but have got a large hydraulic oil stain to clean (on smooth concrete - which will become someones loungroom floor) and am thinking of hiring a hot water machine and using my surface cleaner. What temperature will the s/c handle? should I just change the grease to high temp or will the temp affect/wreck the seals. The bearing housing is only aluminium, will this expand/warp with the high temp?
Thanks for your thoughts.
John

 

[Mark]

G'day John,

Yes hot water will clean oil stains better, as far
as the temperature rating of your surface cleaner?

What make and model is it they use different swivels
with different temperature, pressure and GPM ratings.

I would hate to tell you it will handle 200 degrees then find out
it cooked your swivel that was only rated for 140 degrees farenheit.

 

[john orr]

Before you use anything else, may I suggest that you first grind in some oil dry/kitty litter? Ground in with you shoe, any clay-based absorbent material will be able to reach into the pores of the concrete to suck out oil. Do this once or twice and you may not need to use pressure at all.

I assume by "loungeroom" you refer to what we would call a den or family room? Then can I suggest (if you haven't already thought of it) that you consider sealing the concrete? I'm not sure what to use (something oil-based?) but it makes sense to me.

 

[johnmurrell]

Thanks for the thoughts

My s/c is a BE whirlaway 20" S/steel, and I use a water resistant (boating) grease to lube the spinner. The operating instructions say "designed to operate with hot & cold pressure washers" but don't give figures to define hot (less/more than boiling?) and the supplier is worried about the grease melting, the seals failing and the housing warping. I can't find a hot box for hire, only an electric/deisel hot machine (1500 psi and 150 degrees celcius - way more than boiling).

The site foreman poured sand on the oil on Monday, and then on Wednesday dumped a truckload of gravel on it (because he couln't find anywhere else for it), I will get to see the actual stain on Tuesday next week.

The concrete is quite new and has a very smooth finish, so hopefully the oil wont have seeped too deep. This surface will be ground off (5mm, 1/5 inch) to expose the aggregate in the conc mix, and then sealed. Adhesion is one issue, but the biggest is stain/discolouration, as this inner city home will sell for over $1mil.

Anyway.... it's an insurance job and I'll get a good look on Tuesday.

Thanks again

John

 

[jandjsales]

the sand and gravel may take care of your stain.

jeff

 

[johnmurrell]

D'oh

What temp through the s/c? why don't I ask the manufacturer....

and the manufacturere says "140 to 160 F, and grease every few uses"

But as for the oil stain... The site foreman is ...., the architect is.... as the concrete is going to be ground back to expose the aggregate and then polished and sealed, so they don't want a dirty big stain in the middle.

Thanks again

John