Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 18

Thread: Cleaning the Floor

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Michigan
    Posts
    2,758

    Cleaning the Floor

    A concrete floor holds a lot of fine dust. So I covered it with peel and stick vinyl tiles. This sweeps easily but the fine dust won't come up. Vacuuming is no better. Any suggestions?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    So Cal
    Posts
    3,739
    Leaf blower.
    I can open my shop very wide I setup fans hide the pencils and go to town with a leaf blower. It’s probably not possible for some shops but it really works great.
    Aj

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Ingleside, IL
    Posts
    1,417
    In the summer I do the same - garage doors open and let er rip. But in the winter I use sweeping compound. Non petroleum based. I like the Genuine Joe brand. Controls the dust and makes it easier to get that real fine dust layer that always seems to stay behind.
    Stand for something, or you'll fall for anything.

  4. #4
    Ignore it.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    NW Indiana
    Posts
    3,078
    +1 Ignore it!

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Tom Bender View Post
    A concrete floor holds a lot of fine dust. So I covered it with peel and stick vinyl tiles. This sweeps easily but the fine dust won't come up. Vacuuming is no better. Any suggestions?
    Floor sweeping compound.

    Wet sawdust works really well.

    I've been wanting a ride on floor tenant to fall in my lap, no such luck.

    When it's not the planet Hoth outside we sweep most of it up, then blow everything out with a leaf blower and doors open. I like it looking more like a tool showroom than a functioning cabinet shop when my key hits the lock on Monday morning.

  7. #7
    Mop & bucket.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Location
    Modesto, CA, USA
    Posts
    9,882
    I have heard liquid nitrogen is the best. dust floats right on top of it. Of course it is expensive and no sandals when using it. Probably need to vacate the building until oxygen levels stabilize, etc.
    Bil lD.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    North Dana, Masachusetts
    Posts
    486
    Quote Originally Posted by Bill Dufour View Post
    I have heard liquid nitrogen is the best. dust floats right on top of it. Of course it is expensive and no sandals when using it. Probably need to vacate the building until oxygen levels stabilize, etc.
    Bil lD.
    This is stupid.

    Anyone that ever drove over a concrete bridge has seen the expansion joints at the ends. Concrete expands when warm, contracts when cold. With a temperature of -471 degrees (F), the liquid nitrogen would force the concrete floor to shrink. The walls would and up sitting in the dirt. When the liquid nitrogen dissipated, and the concrete warmed up, it would push the walls out in all directions,causing a catastrophic building collapse.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2018
    Location
    N CA
    Posts
    1,279
    So where can I get me some of that liquid nitrogen stuff?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    May 2008
    Location
    MA
    Posts
    2,255
    In grade school we had a tile gym floor. The janitor had a drum full of sawdust that he had lightly soaked with what I believe was some kind of oil. We would sprinkle this down on the floor then sweep it up, and left it squeaky clean and good for basketball playing (getting up dust is key to getting old school converse shoes to grab). Didnt leave it oily at all, but do not know what it was. Maybe a 'sweeping compound'? http://www.superiorsweeps.com/facts-...ping-compounds


    This was rural appalachia, and although I dont know what it was he soaked in it, am pretty sure a barrel of xx soaked sawdust wouldnt fly today.

  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by Carl Beckett View Post


    This was rural appalachia, and although I dont know what it was he soaked in it, am pretty sure a barrel of xx soaked sawdust wouldnt fly today.
    Sweeping compound is still manufactured today. It's a mix of sawdust, dye, sand, and either petroleum based or vegetable oil.

  13. #13
    Join Date
    May 2007
    Location
    Don't Mess With My Texas!
    Posts
    128

    Wink

    Cool off, William! (pun intended)

    Quote Originally Posted by William Hodge View Post
    This is stupid.

    Anyone that ever drove over a concrete bridge has seen the expansion joints at the ends. Concrete expands when warm, contracts when cold. With a temperature of -471 degrees (F), the liquid nitrogen would force the concrete floor to shrink. The walls would and up sitting in the dirt. When the liquid nitrogen dissipated, and the concrete warmed up, it would push the walls out in all directions,causing a catastrophic building collapse.
    Paul
    These words are my opinion, WYLION. Any resemblance to truth or fiction is accidental at best.
    "Truth lies dormant in our future history." ― Paul Lawrence LXXI


  14. #14
    Join Date
    Dec 2012
    Location
    Bedford, NH
    Posts
    1,286
    Garage floor epoxy sealant.
    Thoughts entering one's mind need not exit one's mouth!
    As I age my memory fades .... and that's a load off my mind!

    "We Live In The Land Of The Free, Only Because Of The Brave"
    “The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living."
    "
    Socialism is a philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy, its inherent virtue is the equal sharing of misery." Winston Churchill

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Location
    Livonia, Michigan
    Posts
    780
    Quote Originally Posted by William Hodge View Post
    This is stupid.

    Anyone that ever drove over a concrete bridge has seen the expansion joints at the ends. Concrete expands when warm, contracts when cold. With a temperature of -471 degrees (F), the liquid nitrogen would force the concrete floor to shrink. The walls would and up sitting in the dirt. When the liquid nitrogen dissipated, and the concrete warmed up, it would push the walls out in all directions,causing a catastrophic building collapse.
    Something is amiss here. Absolute zero is −459.67 degrees F. Nitrogen boils at about -320 degrees F. I'm going from memory here, formerly worked at oxygen separation facilities.

    More likely liquid nitrogen floor cleaning would end up with the likely shattered tiles popped loose and the concrete spalled if there's moisture in it. But it would take care of your dust worries as they would be replaced with better worries. If anyone tries it please let us know how it worked. Assuming you survive.

    -Tom

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •