Monoblock cleaning

[bmcecosse]

Her indoors is having a bit of a rant about the monoblocking - any good tips for cleaning it? Obviously I have heard of GUNK - but any 'domestic' tips - or 'things to avoid' will be welcome !

[ASL642]

Never used it but something like this might work and won't break the bank.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/swarfega-pati ... 5ltr/85114

[MarkyB]

Carb cleaner?

http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=amal+m ... 20&bih=896

[bmcecosse]

Thanks both. That link takes me to Amal carbs????? Keep the ideas coming please! Fortunately - it's [please do not swear, it's not big or clever] *raining* now - and looks great when wet. Maybe she'll forget.......

[irmscher]

Amal carbs use the dishwasher does a good job but don't tell mrs BMC

[bmcecosse]

I ran my Hornby Dublo buildings through the dishwasher - cleaned them up very well - but rather bleached out the 50 year old paint on the aluminium ones.....

[MarkyB]

Not just Amal. Amal Monobloc, I thought she must have an old British bike to go shopping on.

[beero]

Do you mean the taps in the kitchen on monoblock paving?

[bmcecosse]

Ehh? Ahh - taps OR monoblock paving! It's the paving - which has suffered over the years - but mostly during the last weeks' welding exercise......

[ASL642]

I "think" BMC is referring to his drive which his Wife would like cleaned! Try a bucket and a stiff brush!

[bmcecosse]

It's going to need very strong chemicals.......the bucket/hot water/stiff brush/degreaser/hard surface cleaner/bleach hasn't worked very well...... I'm still in trouble.....nothing new there of course..........

[stag36587]

Easy answer, whilst she is asleep nip out, lift out and randomly swap with blocks elsewhere on the driveway. That way you can convince her that
A) you've done a great cleaning job
B) the blocks were always more interesting than she remembered, i.e. your insistence (long since forgotten) that you lay a few dark ones for overall artistic effect.

[beero]

Have you tried a pressure cleaner? I know it will need resanding after. Could you take them up and replace upside down or do they have a pattern on top?
You could try this
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Cleanin ... 256/p56988
or what about the stuff you get to clean cement marks off bricks? I think that is quite acidic.

Or I know some lads who are working in your area, Sir, who have some tarmac left over and can tarmac your drive for a good price!!!!

[bmcecosse]

Thanks again for the 'advice' -I think. Yes - I'm trying to avoid the pressure washing... And I lifted/relaid part of it earlier this year (to eliminate a dip) so I know how hard that is.... And no - they can't be turned over although I do have about 20 'spares'.... The problem really is that the house cross the road has just had all new monoblocking fitted - and of course ours now looks 'shabby'. We'll see how long it lasts - my blocks are 3" deep - the new blocks are barely 1.5" thick.....and already they have some cracks after just 10 days!! I've scraped off the worst of the underseal , and another good going over this time with a bottle of washing up liquid just before the rain came along has certainly 'improved' it .... We'll see how it goes........

[rayofleamington]

well at least you didn't sneak out at night and make a few oil patches on their drive to match!

[MarkyB]

Lateral thinking, can't beat it
If someone should happen to splash some milk around, algae would soon appear too.

[IslipMinor]

Roy,

Patio cleaner is a weak acid and cleans light coloured paving slabs very well in conjunction with a pressure washer. Spray the cleaner on, stiff brush to agitate and power wash off - good as new!

[bmcecosse]

Which I fear would only highlight the ingrained oil/underseal - and worst of all - splashes of rustkiller (phosphoric acid) which have all left their mark..... However - it's getting better, and worst comes to worst I will swap out the really bad ones. If I can get it through to winter - the frost seems to lift away all the marks...... So just need to bluff it out for another 5 months or so.....

[daveyl]

Roy,
That reminds me. I bought some hydrochloric acid, (to de-rust some car components) and accidentally spilt some on the patio. Came up as good as new. Apparently, the stuff is used for this very purpose, patios etc. It's meant to be diluted with water.
However, it seems to be so volatile that I'm too scared to use it! It hisses and smokes as soon as it hits metal. Very acrid. And I don't know for sure how you mix it with water (do you pour the acid into water, or do you pour the water into the acid) Never got a data sheet with it. Ebay!

[bmcecosse]

With HCl it doesn't really matter which way you mix - but do take sensible precautions. The important safety related 'mix' is with HSO4 - where you must add acid to excess water.