Hello,
Have a strange question. Building a proto freelance CSX N scale layout in my Basement, with a unsealed concrete floor. Due to previous four legged engineers(Dogs) having the run of the basement when people are gone during the day, there are …ahem…stains in the floor. Any body ever used a concrete cleaner that they could recommend? Like to get the floor clean and then seal it.
Thanks
There are various concrete floor cleaners on the market, but I suspect none are any better than the simple time proven standard of TSP and bleach.
Rather than “sealing” the floor, I would sugest painting it with epoxy floor paint. and if the walls are exposed concrete or block, I would paint them as well.
These people have some superior basement wall coating products:
Sheldon
I recommend an epoxy product made for garage floors. I have it on mine, and we used it on our hangar floor.
My son had the same problem only it was cats. He used TSP to clean and then Odorxit http://www.odorxit.com/ to get the odor out. It worked well, could not smell anything afterwards…
Enjoy
Paul
Hello, In preparation for building a new layout I applied a two part epoxy coating kit to my bare concrete garage floor a few months ago. I purchased the product at my local Sherwin Williams paint store and closely followed the product instructions and the counter persons advice for prep and coating. I too had some pet stains and a lot of automobile tire marks. Though possibly overkill I began the job by sanding the floor with a orbital sander and attached shop-vac, giving extra attention to the stained areas. Then a wash with the kit supplied cleaner, followed by second wash with TSP. So far I’m very happy with the results though some of the deeper stained areas are still a bit noticeable. Sure glad I added some extra anti-skid granules to the mix as a painted floor can become dangerously slippery, especially when wet. Now spills wipe right up,and unless I’m mistaken the floor seems less dusty.
Peter
I agree, a wash with bleach and a two part epoxy floor paint will fix you right up. As mentioned it’s a great idea to add a bit of sand to the paint mix for non-skid, the sand costs next to nothing and you will be glad you did it. Epoxy paint is much cheaper than the garage tiles and since it’s a layout room nobody will notice. One word of caution, remember to start floor painting at the FAR corner and work backwards towards the egress lest you literaly paint yourself into a corner.
I believe there are rubberized and gritted deck paints that might save you some time. Any goopy paint meant for outdoors and for safe traction that can be painted on concrete will hide stains and odors, but it will be non-skid and a bit easier on the legs and feet than will a hard epoxy.
Note that some folks just buy the rubber interlocking pads and cover their basement pads that way. Odor may be a problem, even with the pads themselves. Maybe carpet remnants will help, especially if the price is right.
I can’t say I disagree with anything proposed so far, but one might wish to consider several options, especially if time and $ could be important factors.
I had the same problem on a slab house (but not for a train room). You have to do 2 things - Clean it with a strong cleaner - the TSP and or bleach is good. The second is seal it. No matter how much you clean, it is still saturated in the pours of the concrete. It will ooze back up- moist days, hot days Op’s session days, it will be there. I used Thompson brand water sealer and never had problem, after I sealed it
ratled
Hi, I did my basement floor with a heavy Sears brand floorpaint. It did a marvellous job and is wearing well, but…
Be careful of fumes! Those from my paint just about did me in. Also this time of year, be aware that some solvent-based paints may emit fumes that can cause an explosion from fuel burning appliances like furnaces or water heaters. Ventilation is a must.
Have fun, George
I had a similar problem when I bought my house, I had some time between the moves so I was working with a completely empty basement and I used Muriatic acid that completely removed the stains as if they were never there. I then had to use a neutralizer on it the name of which escapes me. I then sealed the floor with a two part epoxy paint just to seal the entire floor, it has since been carpeted over. I must add that this was rather the extreme more so then the typical cleaning but no matter what you use bleach, TSP or what ever use your PPE safety glasses, gloves and a respirator. Not the cheesy cloth kind but the one’s with the filters. and vent the basement before you start. A little bit of bleach may not seem very harmful but trust me it’s nothing to take lightly.