Removing Engine Oil From boot lining :(

ysidfa · Jul 23, 2012

Hey,
As the title states, Ive had a bit of a spillage

I bought of fresh bottle of a 5w45 from Hellfrauds the other day and topped my engine up accordingly. I then thought, "Wouldnt it be handy to have it with me so I can top it up when I need to". BAD IDEA!

It was inside a big plastic bag with a peice of rag to check the dipstick with and the cap decided to come undone.

Now I have about 1 litre of oil saturated into my boot lining (alot of it stayed inside the bag).

Has anyone got any tips on how to clean the lining? A friend suggested pressure washing it, but I dont think my parents would be best pleased if I rinsed thier drive with oil. :/
Apart from spending money on a new lining I cant think what else to do :/

any help greatly appreciated

Tom

AndyRKett · Jul 23, 2012

pressure washing is probably the best idea to be honest.

Chemically you'll need something which will break down or emulsify the oil carb cleaner might work or paraffin would work a treat. the only problem would be the smell afterwards which would need a few days or airing to evaporate off the solvent.

you need to take your spare wheel out of the boot anyway as the oil can damage the tyre especially if its sat in a pool of the stuff

maddogmorg · Jul 23, 2012

will it fit in your washing machine?

is it foamy stuff underneath? Mine soaked up the oil like a sponge, washing it took ages, i think i used washing powder in water. At least you've got the warm weather (for now) to help dry it out afterwards.

Venters · Jul 23, 2012

Pressure wash the worst of it out. Then use fairy liquid and water and lightly scrub it in, then pressure wash it again.

Rawb · Jul 23, 2012

Get a new boot lining, I can't believe im the first to suggest this. Or use a power washer and use many man hours sorting it out.

Venters · Jul 23, 2012

Many man hours? I think the most I have ever spent getting oil out of a boot carpet has been 15 minutes, and I have literally done dozens of them.

ysidfa · Jul 24, 2012

AndyRKett said:
pressure washing is probably the best idea to be honest.

Chemically you'll need something which will break down or emulsify the oil carb cleaner might work or paraffin would work a treat. the only problem would be the smell afterwards which would need a few days or airing to evaporate off the solvent.

you need to take your spare wheel out of the boot anyway as the oil can damage the tyre especially if its sat in a pool of the stuff

The carpet was taken out and put in a GIANT plastic bag in the garage until I can figure out what to do with it. And I dont really wanna spend LOADs of money on parafin or emulsifiers to break it down.

maddogmorg said:
will it fit in your washing machine?

is it foamy stuff underneath? Mine soaked up the oil like a sponge, washing it took ages, i think i used washing powder in water. At least you've got the warm weather (for now) to help dry it out afterwards.

It wont fit

we have a tiny washing machine

The carpet is slightly plasticy so it might wash off well, its gonna be slightly stained no matter what i think.

I dont know if anyone else has heard of it, but we use a solvent at work thats called Lotoxane, disolves handfuls of XG285 ( think its a silicone based synthetic grease) in seconds and it evaporates within minutes!
Might do a test patch with some.

Cheers
Tom

Ziggy122 · Jul 24, 2012

Well you've got the basis of a washing machine done

Carpet in a Water container (bag)

fill it up - wack some powder in - leave it soak

Dont try playing football with it

Keep washing if a few times in the bag - it'll soon smell okay/come out

Ziggy

Numptey · Jul 24, 2012

Washing up liquid breaks down oil or perhaps some of that shake and vac stuff and then a carpet shampoo

firecolour · Aug 31, 2012

I wouldn't bother trying to clean it. It will take hours to sort out. Just bite the bullet and buy a new carpet from the dealer. Alternatively, make your own. I bought a roll of gel backed automotive carpet from an Ebay seller for £20 inc postage and used the old Panda rubber mat (damaged) as a template and fitted new stuff that looks like a factory fit. Two days later I had one of those brake bleed kits in there full of brake fluid that siphoned itself onto my new carpet

Fortunately the Ebay roll had plenty left to do the whole job again. 10 mins to cut, 3 mins to fit and job done.

I'd rather spend £30 on a new one than waste hours trying to clean out oil from it. Pressure washing a waste of time, the only way is something that will break down the oil, then you have to remove that agent too.

If that doesn't suit, there's always a laundrette

ysidfa · Aug 31, 2012

firecolour said:
I wouldn't bother trying to clean it. It will take hours to sort out. Just bite the bullet and buy a new carpet from the dealer. Alternatively, make your own. I bought a roll of gel backed automotive carpet from an Ebay seller for £20 inc postage and used the old Panda rubber mat (damaged) as a template and fitted new stuff that looks like a factory fit. Two days later I had one of those brake bleed kits in there full of brake fluid that siphoned itself onto my new carpet Fortunately the Ebay roll had plenty left to do the whole job again. 10 mins to cut, 3 mins to fit and job done.

I'd rather spend £30 on a new one than waste hours trying to clean out oil from it. Pressure washing a waste of time, the only way is something that will break down the oil, then you have to remove that agent too.

If that doesn't suit, there's always a laundrette

I bought a new carpet a while back from a Fiat Breakers

Brand new official wheel trim and boot carpet.. £25 :slayer:

Venters · Aug 31, 2012

How are people figuring it will take hours? All your doing is shampooing it with a pressure washer.

15 minutes and it's done,then all it has to do is dry.

Rosso145 · Oct 28, 2012

Venters said:
Many man hours? I think the most I have ever spent getting oil out of a boot carpet has been 15 minutes, and I have literally done dozens of them.

Don't keep it to yourself then................share your technique.

Andy Monty · Oct 28, 2012

Rosso145 said:
Don't keep it to yourself then................share your technique.

water soluble degreaser stiff brush and a pressure washer i presume the let dry if you have one a wet vac to draw out the majority of the water will spead up drying......

its not hard

Venters · Oct 28, 2012

Rosso145 said:
Don't keep it to yourself then................share your technique.

Venters said:
Pressure wash the worst of it out. Then use fairy liquid and water and lightly scrub it in, then pressure wash it again.

Removing Engine Oil From boot lining :(

Currently reading:
Removing Engine Oil From boot lining :(

ysidfa

Avid Shoe Wearer

AndyRKett

Distinguished member

maddogmorg

BRUM!!

Venters

bairns, not bombs.

Rawb

- Amateur Detailer -

Venters

bairns, not bombs.

ysidfa

Avid Shoe Wearer

Ziggy122

Patron member

Numptey

Patron member

firecolour

Spanners at the ready

ysidfa

Avid Shoe Wearer

Venters

bairns, not bombs.

Rosso145

New member

Andy Monty

Moderator

Venters

bairns, not bombs.

Similar threads

Removing Engine Oil From boot lining :(

Currently reading: Removing Engine Oil From boot lining :(

Avid Shoe Wearer

Distinguished member

BRUM!!

bairns, not bombs.

- Amateur Detailer -

bairns, not bombs.

Avid Shoe Wearer

Spanners at the ready

Avid Shoe Wearer

bairns, not bombs.

New member

Moderator

bairns, not bombs.

Similar threads

Currently reading:
Removing Engine Oil From boot lining :(