Layer of grease on the floor: stay or go?

[Santosh]

Hey there Skoolie folk!

I recently starting embarking on the journey of converting a school bus too!
It's a white 2015 gmc Savana bus which was used for people in wheelchairs.

This is my first official question! and first post on a forum ever for that matter. =)

So I've taken out all the benches as well and the wheelchair lift. I've stripped the floor right down to the metal.
Its a 2015, so the rust wasn't too bad. But we're in Quebec so there is some rust (lol) and some calcium looking spots, and definitely a lot of little holes (including a few because of rust).
I think I know what to do about all that. (Rust converter, rust-oleum protective enamel oil based paint, and silicon for the holes)


But my question pertains to the rest of the floor surface, which is the vast majority of the bus, which has this layer of thick brown grease on it. The grease definitely seems purposely put on by the manufacturer.

(I will attach pictures, and there's one where you see that this grease was applied with a paintbrush)

I managed to rub off a small area(see pic), with the help of an industrial degreaser (which didn't work very well actually), and a heck of a lot of elbow grease! lol ; and the metal underneath is perfectly rust free and looks very good.

Basically my question is whether this grease should be removed off the whole floor, in which case I would replace it with rust-oleum paint (and treat rust first where needed) or if this layer of grease will actually work as well as rust-oleum rust paint for protecting the floor from rust.

What do you guys think?
Any experience with this?
Does car manufacturer grease protect from rust? if so, as well as rust-oleum rust preventative paint?



I could take off this layer of grease, but it would be quite the job! (I am totally willing to do so mind you, if it would be better for the lifespan of our bus)


Also, I contacted the corroseal (rust converter product) company and the product adviser told me that this layer of grease was to protect the metal, but he didn't specify in which way. He didn't know the grease product and could not tell me if it would be better then rust-oleum to prevent rust or not.

Thanks so much everybody!

Santosh




p.s. I read the instructions of the rust-oleum paint and they say that all oil and grease etc needs to be removed before application....so I don't think the paint on top of the grease is a good option.


p.s.s If the consensus it to remove this layer of grease, which product works best? (because "Zep industrial purple degreaser" does not live up to my hopeful expectations) lol



Thanks!

 

[peteg59]

Welcome to the site.

That "grease" you found is a preservative that is really good at preventing oxidation/rust.
If it were mine, I'd leave the existing grease on, then patch the actual holes and re apply the protectant.

Cosmoline is a type of preservative with grease like properties. That is most likely what you have on your floor.
Their website has many useful types and container sizes of material: https://www.cosmolinedirect.com/

 

[Mountain Gnome]

I can't say whether the "grease" is better or not.


but if you want to remove it, I found that Dr. Bronners peppermint liquid soap works like a champ for me. As a mechanic, I've tried GoJo, Tide liquid detergent, Dawn dishwashing liquid, etc. etc. etc. to get grease off my hands. Dr. Bronners works by far the best. Dawn the worst (hated to see those ducks cleaned with that chemical stuff when Exxon dumped their oil in Alaska). The other flavors work OK, but something about the peppermint works best. And it is all natural, Brush your teeth with it, if you like. Leaves residue if used as shampoo or laundry detergent, though. Breaks down naturally in the environment (unlike the Dawn that added pollution to the Alaskan Bay waters).


Use it full strength, not diluted with water, until you are done scrubbing.

 

[Simplicity-SKO]

Work smart, not hard.

If that "grease" has been there all this time, then it must of done its job. I like the idea of patching the holes and then reapplying the preservative (grease).

Another option is just patch the holes and build from there. Leave the remaining grease to continue to do its job.

The places I'd be more wanting to address is the undercarriage. I'd put my money into getting it well power washed, inspected really well for rust, converting that rust and then applying a really good sealant to help prevent rust.

As for the rest of the bus, yeah, I'm really impressed with how great the Rustoleum metal primer and oil based enamel covered and how much abuse it's taken during the conversion. So, maybe your interior walls and possibly ceiling.

Best of luck.

 

[Santosh]

Amazing man, thank you for the advice on the degreaser!

 

[Santosh]

Amazing man, thank you for the advice on the grease remover!

 

[Santosh]

hey man,

thanks for your reply!
great advice and I think I will do that.
I'll treat the rust and the holes and just leave the grease and re-apply something similar where its needed.
I"m contacting that Cosmoline company to see which product may already be on there and or which would be best for me.

So thank you!

 

[Santosh]

Work smart, not hard.

If that "grease" has been there all this time, then it must of done its job. I like the idea of patching the holes and then reapplying the preservative (grease).

Another option is just patch the holes and build from there. Leave the remaining grease to continue to do its job.

The places I'd be more wanting to address is the undercarriage. I'd put my money into getting it well power washed, inspected really well for rust, converting that rust and then applying a really good sealant to help prevent rust.

As for the rest of the bus, yeah, I'm really impressed with how great the Rustoleum metal primer and oil based enamel covered and how much abuse it's taken during the conversion. So, maybe your interior walls and possibly ceiling.

Best of luck.

yes, good idea.
The undercarriage....
I will get a product for that too from this Cosmoline company.

And I already bought some of that rust-oleum so its good to know that its worked well for you.
I'll be able to use it on the front area of the bus which is not covered with this grease stuff.
Also the exterior has a bit of touch ups to be done as well which this paint could work for I believe....(right?)

Thank you!

 

[Simplicity-SKO]

Also the exterior has a bit of touch ups to be done as well which this paint could work for I believe....(right?)

Thank you!

I'm using rustoleum on my exterior. Most likely I'll spray it. So, yeah, go for it.

 

[rossvtaylor]

...I found that Dr. Bronners peppermint liquid soap works like a champ for me.

I smell pepperminty fresh all the time...this is what I have in the shower and I love it. But I'll be honest, I've never tried it as a degreaser.

For hand degreasing, I've not found anything which works as well as these GoJo scrubbing cloth wipes. The pull out, one at a time, and are folded...the inside has a slightly scrubby texture. These things are absolutely incredible. I get the 72-count tubs by the 6-tub case. They're the bee's meow... or the cat's knees...or something like that.

I wouldn't want to degrease a whole floor with these, but for hands or small parts, they're fantastic.