Concrete floor vs. rubber mat debate after my oil leak disaster

I parked my '73 Mustang in my buddy's garage in Phoenix last August, and 3 weeks later a valve cover gasket gave out. The oil soaked into his bare concrete floor and left a stain that wouldnt come out no matter what I tried. He wanted me to seal the whole floor, but I think a heavy rubber mat under the car would have been smarter. Has anyone else dealt with a stain like this, and did sealing the floor help or just make things worse?

2 comments

2 Comments

anna_hill23d ago

Seal the floor? That's like putting makeup on a pig. Just throw down some cardboard like a real mechanic.

finley77723d ago

Cardboard is the gold standard. Ive got a 20 year collection of flattened Amazon boxes under my workbench right now. Oil drips? Cardboard change. Coolant spill? Cardboard swap. When that cardboard gets saturated enough you just fold it up and toss it, grab a fresh piece. I watched a buddy spend three hours on his knees with a brush and sealant trying to make his garage floor look like a showroom. Three months later it was peeling up anyway. Meanwhile my cardboard floor is going strong and free.