Oil dry?

[Farmwithjunk]

If you've ever turned a wrench on a tractor, chances are you've spilled a few drops (all the way to several gallons) of oil. I like to keep it cleaned up and off the shop floor. Seems it always gets tracked into the house or my truck or some other spot where it shouldn't go. The old reliable "oil dry" (cat litter) works, but only so good. Any "tricks"? (besides not spilling it in the first place)

I use a handful of portland cement, then clean that up as quick as I can. That sucks up any moisture, be it oil, anti-freeze, water, beer (don't ask), or even paint.

 

[jbrumberg]

Farmwithjunk:

A woodworker friend of mine uses his sawdust; seems to work pretty well.

 

[RoyJackson]

Speedy-Dry or kitty litter works for me.

 

[RollTideRam]

I use oil dry and kind of grind it in with my boot. JC

 

[LoneCowboy]

old style kitty litter (not the new "clumping style) is basically oil dry.
getting harder to find now though, but a lot cheaper than oil dry.

 

[skipmarcy]

I worked in many auto shops over my 34 year career and have seen/used virtually every type of floor cleaning method. My opinion is that the oil dry is the best way to go but there are different types and some are better than others. It's mostly clay but obviously it will depend on where it's made as to the qualities of the clay. Sawdust is a close second, but on a smooth floor it can be trecherous - the oil dry is safer in that case because of it's texture. Also I would think the sawdust/oil combo would be much more flammable than the oil dry/oil combo - something to consider if welding or possibly spontaneous combustion in a trash can. For those heavy grease spots and/or deep oily stains in unfinished concrete you can spread oil dry over it and take a full-size concrete block and scrub across the stains, pulverizing the oil dry to a powder. Let this set for however long you can and sweep/vacuum it up. Do it again if you have to, it will get the concrete looking almost new again. If you've got a finished floor, obviously the old mop & bucket is the way to go. In my new house I used that Rustoleum epoxy "paint" and love it so far. My garage floor was broom-finished so I had to do 2 coats, but I've got fantastic wet traction from the brooming but a good slick coating that you can sweep very easily. The finish is impervious to oils, gas etc. and even paint & caulking come off it after dried. If you've got a slick-finish, 1 coat would do it fine, but I strongly recommend putting the little paint chips they supply to give at least a little traction. Some chips will come loose the first few sweepings and from walking on it but the majority of them stay put very well and personally I like the looks of it.

 

[DieselPower]

I like Bio-Matrix myself. It is a absorbent and not a adsorbent like citty litter. It is also eco friendly. It's amazing how much oil, paint, chemicals this stuff will absorb.

Bio-Matrix USA

 

[George2615]

I also use the cheap cat litter. Just spread it around liberally. I usually let it absorb overnight then next day I grind it in with my foot. I then sweep it up and save the used stuff in an old 5 gal. pail. I get 2 or 3 uses out of the same stuff before I need to dispose of it.

 

[woodchuckie]

After the oil dry or a really small spill where I just use a rag I sometime clean the area by pouring gas on it and wiping it up. It cleans it good and drys quick.

 

[mjarrels]

Yep... if it can be spilled, I will spill it... more expensive the liquid, the more I seem to spill. Roundup at $25.00 a quart seems to get kicked over more that anything... you would think I would put the cap back on after filling the sprayer! Always keep a bag of speedy-dry on hand.

mark

 

[john_bud]

My shop is in 2 parts. One has a concrete floor the other part is dirt. When I spill on the concrete, I just get a dust bin's worth of dry dirt and use that. Does as good of a job as oil dry or kitty litter - but is free.

The only real trick is to leave it on the oil and turn it over. If I care about the spot getting real clean, then brake cleaner is squirted on after the dirt has done it work.

 

[mjarrels]

I have heard of a product called spill majic but I've never seen it on the shelf of any store.

mark

 

[Kendall69]

I finally solved it. I got an AMAZON - S&K #700 17-1/2" Galvanized Drip Pan . Looks like a super large cookie sheet, 17-1/2" x 25-3/4" x 1". Wherever I'm working on the engine or tranny the pan goes down first, then the container to catch the fluids.
I always spill, so when I spill I spill on the pan, then clean the whole thing when it's over.
Never dripped on the drive again.

 

[BTDT]

I finally solved it. I got an AMAZON - S&K #700 17-1/2" Galvanized Drip Pan . Looks like a super large cookie sheet, 17-1/2" x 25-3/4" x 1". Wherever I'm working on the engine or tranny the pan goes down first, then the container to catch the fluids.
I always spill, so when I spill I spill on the pan, then clean the whole thing when it's over.
Never dripped on the drive again.

Large piece of cardboard will also work. I try to keep some around for when I have to crawl under vehicle (no concrete).

 

[slowrev]

I like Bio-Matrix myself. It is a absorbent and not a adsorbent like citty litter. It is also eco friendly. It's amazing how much oil, paint, chemicals this stuff will absorb.

Bio-Matrix USA

Why worry about eco friendly when you are soaking up hazardous materials ?

 

[DieselPower]

If it's petroleum based it actually biodegrades it. You can actually land farm the absorbent after it has soaked up hydrocarbons. Have a oil spill in a field, simply spread this stuff out, till it into the soil, cover with another layer and add nitrogen fertalizer. Mother nature takes care of the rest.

It is also non toxic, unlike the "citty litter" type adsorbent. Those type of adsorbents contain silica dust. Ever notice the warning on the back of the bag?

It unlike natural clay type adsorbents is legal to dump in most landfills because it does not leech out any oil.

It's also cheaper to use.

 

[RobS]

Kitty litter and Brakleen are my tools for oil. I have a quart of a citrus cleaner a guy gave me, he swears by it but I haven't yet tried it.

 

[schmism]

cat litter....

i let it absorb over night, sweep it up, then spred a light coat and "scrub" the floor with a brick. Grinds the litter into the oil and helps pull it up.

sweep clean.

I have a lot of sawdust also so i usually hit it with sawdust first as its more absorbant... then hit it with the brick n kittyliter

 

[Egon]

If it's petroleum based it actually biodegrades it.

The hydrocarbon components will degrade but the heavy metals remain.

 

[jeffinsgf]

If it's petroleum based it actually biodegrades it. You can actually land farm the absorbent after it has soaked up hydrocarbons. Have a oil spill in a field, simply spread this stuff out, till it into the soil, cover with another layer and add nitrogen fertalizer. Mother nature takes care of the rest.

It is also non toxic, unlike the "citty litter" type adsorbent. Those type of adsorbents contain silica dust. Ever notice the warning on the back of the bag?

It unlike natural clay type adsorbents is legal to dump in most landfills because it does not leech out any oil.

It's also cheaper to use.

Nice website, but no dealer locator. Where can I buy this stuff?