Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 24, 2000 05:27pm | #1

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   Bruce,

   The first impulse is to test in the most visable spot. I hope you are resisting this urge and testing in areas that will be covered or are out of the way.

   I removed some vinyl from a kitchen once and yes, the adhesive and remants of backing were a bear to get off. I put down more vinyl so stains on the concrete were not an issue. I used scrapers, paint thinner and steel wool.

   Methyl-Ethel-Keytone or MEK is sold in some paint stores as an adhesive remover. I have never used it for removing vinyl adhesive on concrete but I have had good results in other applications. It is noxious stuff http://rtk.net/E10147T676 and should be used in accordance with all instructions.

   My wife recently spilled some oil on tile grout. We bought a grout cleaning product that was relatively effective in lifting the oil. Too expensive for an entire kitchen. The active ingredient was trisodium phosphate or TSP. You can buy this in bulk at paint stores. Normally, it is mixed in solution. For your application try a paste. Wear rubber gloves, old clothes, and eye protection. Splatters will bleach so protect adjacent surfaces.

   I do not think you should abrade the surface. The surface of finished concrete is a thin layer of sand and cement. You don't have to go down very far to find stones. Also, if your floor was finished "slick" abrading will compromise the surface.

   This is one of those projects that takes a lot of time, work and expensive materials. When you are done you may not be happy with the results. You may find yourself putting vinyl down again.

   On the other hand, it may turn out great and you will always have the satisfaction of knowing you did it yourself.

   Good luck,

   Steve

2. 
   Mark_Helling | Apr 24, 2000 05:30pm | #2

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   A story about how not to do it---
   A couple of guys were trying to do the same thing, remove the left over adhesive from a previous floor. The one guy tried some gasoline and it worked the best so they commensed sprinkling the floor with gasoline and scaping up the glue. Well, because it was winter the windows were all closed and the fumes started to to build up so the one guy opened a window. The cold air hit the thermostat, the funace kicked on--- they found the one guy in the yard across the street. He had been blown out the front door. He did not survive. The other guy was blown to bits.

3. 
   Guest_ | Apr 25, 2000 05:34am | #3

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   Oh, that's just great. The guy is really wanting to clean up his floor, he's tried and tried, but needs something else. Right now, he'll try anything including the volatile compound you suggested. Makes it's own O2 when burning, yes it does. Low flash point too. Ask the local FD how an MEK fire ranks, they may tell you all they hope to do is simply contain it.

   Then along comes Mark with that kind of story. Mark, I've run across those ninnies before. Ran like hell once I realized the situation I walked into.

   My advice to Bruce is to stay away from the chemicals until he knows fully and exactly what they do.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 25, 2000 06:44am | #4

   *I would assume there may be a problem with applying the stain in a decent way regardless of how well you clean the adhesive off. After all that time of adhesive and linoleum over the concrete I would think that your staining results would be blotchy. I have never used concrete stain but I am just guessing. Am I just wasting virtual ink?Pete

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 26, 2000 03:46am | #6

   *Before you start dissolving the adhesive you better make bur it does not contain asbestos. Many mastics did, and dissolving the tar portion may release the asbestos fibers into the air. If asbestos is present better to just change plans and cover the floor with something else.Don

4. 
   Bruce_Crump | Apr 26, 2000 03:46am | #5

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   I wish to stain a concrete kitchen floor. The challenge is to first
   remove the black adhesive that has been there since 1951. So far I
   have tried paint stripper, mineral spirits, and hand cleaner with hand
   cleaner coming out on top. The problem is the staining that seeps
   down into the pores in the concrete slab. Is there a way to remove
   this wih an acid, or a bleach? Or can I somehow abrade off enough
   concrete to remove it? Any ideas are surely welcome.

   Thanks, Bruce