Bit of a catastrophe

[Phil C]

When you've just spilt a tank full of oil all over your Oxford bike mat (rubber bottomed, thankfully) - STOP SNIGGERING AT THE BACK THERE! -  what's a good way of getting the oil out of the mat? Preferably without staining the surface underneath the mat.  Someone else must have been a complete idiot in the past?

Phil

[chaz]

cant justify a mat like that but have a couple of ex works Berendsen ones, keep servicing bikes and hitting bowls over or dropping sump bolts in. a Vax wash and cleaner works, but might take of goes

[Bess]

Hi Phil,
          Try GUNK engine degreaser, apply and rinse off with a water hose. If you've never used it, it's a powerful degreaser and gentle enough to leave the bristles on your mat.

Best wishes...

[Phil C]

I wonder if might then stain the surface it is sitting on when you degrease it. 

You know when you wish you could turn the clock back...

Phil

[Mike40M]

I usually apply a lot of sawdust to get rid of most of the oil. Maybe the sawdust could be sprayed with some kerosene first.
Working with hydraulics now and then. So oil spills is the norm.
How to get rid of the remaining oil, I don't know. Had a similar accident on a race last year. Had to throw away the pit map eventually.

[courtney]

Oh dear, what a kerfuffle!

I can't help, so this is a bit of a useless reply (sorry!), but I once had an engine in the back of the car that toppled over and soaked my girlfriend's down jacket with what oil was still inside. Straight in the washing machine with a load of powder and it came out looking a bit sorry for itself, all limp and saggy (ooer), albeit clean. Fortunately, the feathers puffed up when it dried and I got away with it, unlike her woollen tights that stretched to 6 foot long after I hand-washed them....

[idie]

Use cement powder that will get in to all parts and absorb the oil then wash off. Use plenty of water unless you want a slab for the garden.