Portable generator feet stained floor

[bikerboy]

We have a Flying Could 23D. We take a portable generator with us on our adventures. We put the generator inside the Airstream when we stored it and noticed that the plastic feet stained black rings on the linoleum floor. We have scrubbed and soaked the stains but can’t seem to remove them. Has anyone else done this and managed to remove those stains? Can it be patched or will we have to replace the entire floor? Thanks.

[r carl]

Magic eraser or lighter fluid I would try.

[ROBERT CROSS]

After you get the floor clean....consider a container.

Mineral spirits or Brakleen.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Mollysdad]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

After you get the floor clean....consider a container.

Those 24 gal. Action Packers have become quite rare.
Sportsman's Warehouse has them for $40 with free shipping!
Don't buy the 35 Gallon. They're too big and awkward.
I haven't found anything better, you can leave them in the rain and water doesn't puddle on the lid, you can sit on them, they weigh almost nothing, and seem to last forever.
I added a rope loop under the latches so I could pull it out of the truck bed using a boathook (great tool)

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by Mollysdad

Those 48 gal. Action Packers have become quite rare. And Valuable!
I haven't found anything better, you can leave them in the rain and water doesn't puddle on the lid, you can sit on them, they weigh almost nothing, and seem to last forever.
I added a rope loop under the latches so I could pull it out of the truck bed using a boathook (great tool)

Yes, they sure are hard to find...ours it a 24gal.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Ray Eklund]

Originally Posted by bikerboy

We have a Flying Could 23D. We take a portable generator with us on our adventures. We put the generator inside the Airstream when we stored it and noticed that the plastic feet stained black rings on the linoleum floor. We have scrubbed and soaked the stains but can’t seem to remove them. Has anyone else done this and managed to remove those stains? Can it be patched or will we have to replace the entire floor? Thanks.

*****
Our 2006 23 foot Safari had the light wood plank looking floor. The 'new' hallway runners we used had a rubber backing to prevent slipping.

After the first Season of use, we noticed a discoloring of the linoleum. It was not on the surface, but had penetrated into the linoleum floor. This was more of a chemical reaction between the floor runner's rubber backing and the linoleum.

It was a light amber that contrasted with the linoleum's color. Just a tint or two darker and the outline of the runner was noticeable in contrast.

The surface of the linoleum was not changed, just discolored where in contact with the runners. We now seal the linoleum when we purchase new and no longer have had any discoloring occur. Problem solved, but yours may also be permanent. After applying the 'floor gloss' in the 2006 it was sparkling clean with the light floor runner tinting remaining.

We now clean the floors on the 2014 and recently with the 2019 Airstreams and used Pledge 'Revive It' to seal the floor's surface, which was called 'Future' in 2006. We used this sealer immediately after the later trailers were ours. It is very durable with use and having two Blue Heelers is easy to wipe clean any wet prints and our own dirt from out footwear. We often remove our shoes before entering the trailer once camped.

Follow the instructions on the product's label, seen through the clear container from the backside...

Pledge 'Future' in 2006. Pledge 'Revive It' in 2020. It works for us. For a smooth coverage, it will take two applications and a third if your floor dries fast as it does in the low humidity out West. It is durable. Permanent and protects the shiny gloss of the linoleum. Probably not recommended for the rougher texture grassy flooring on the 2019 and 2020 Airstreams we looked at before picking out the International Signature interior.

Touch up after a few years, depending on how you cover the floor with runners or not. Stays clear to this point and not discolored after years of use for us.

['55 Airlight]

Originally Posted by bikerboy

...plastic feet stained black rings on the linoleum floor... Can it be patched or will we have to replace the entire floor?

If in fact you have a linoleum floor, you could use steel wool on it to remove stains (even that of a stubbed out cigarette) because true linoleum -- not vinyl flooring -- true linoleum (like Marmoleum) is made from products such as <<linseed oil, cellulose, pine resin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, most commonly on a burlap or canvas backing.>> What's more, you can remove and plug (inlay) a patch or to create a design, and "weld" seams. A great old fashioned product.

Michael

[batman]

Originally Posted by '55 Airlight

If in fact you have a linoleum floor, you could use steel wool on it to remove stains (even that of a stubbed out cigarette) because true linoleum -- not vinyl flooring -- true linoleum (like Marmoleum) is made from products such as <<linseed oil, cellulose, pine resin, ground cork dust, wood flour, and mineral fillers such as calcium carbonate, most commonly on a burlap or canvas backing.>> What's more, you can remove and plug (inlay) a patch or to create a design, and "weld" seams. A great old fashioned product.

Michael

Very True!

Be sure what you have is indeed "linoleum" or "Marmoleum". Great product!

I suspect what you are calling "Linoleum" is really a misnomer and is a Vinyl flooring product with a shiny clear surface that will stain through the clear coat to the soft material under it. Ray is correct, If it is vinal that can not be removed.

-Dennis

[cazual6]

Another alternative would be to use the AS Floor mat or any mat.

Or you can use one of those furniture mover pads.

[bikerboy]

Thanks to all who replied to our post. Annoying how an oversight created an unsightly stain. In the future I will store the generator in a travel container. For now we will just put a throw rug over the stain. Thanks again. Jim

[Ray Eklund]

I am old. Vinyl.

We use the rubber back hallway rugs as they do not slip and avoid hurting our selves when inside. Rugs that can slip can cause you to do the whoopee doo like skiing in Colorado on crusty snow.

They also do not move when traveling. I would be careful putting a generator on or in anything that could vibrate and wear into your vinyl floor. Also something that could slide around while moving.

[Mikebrady62]

I have a package of Tide wipes. These little things seem to take the stain out of just about anything I have messed up. Concrete is the exception. It's just too porous.
Good luck with yours!

[greenflag]

Another vote for Action Packers. They also protect the generator from scarring the case when rattling against a pickup bed.

['55 Airlight]

Originally Posted by Ray Eklund

I am old. Vinyl.

While I do not doubt you're truly old, Ray, linoleum is lots older. <<It was invented in 1860... intended for use first as a ship deck covering (battleship linoleum up to 1/2" thick)....Linoleum remained popular until after World War II, when easy-to-maintain and durable vinyl flooring was introduced. The craft of manufacturing linoleum has evolved over the last 150 years. Forbo has been driving this development through its Marmoleum brand.>>

Just sayin',
Michael