Oil stains in concrete - How to remove?

[Larry Callahan]

My truck has made a bit of a mess of my concrete driveway over time. I have tired to typical brake cleaners, acetone, lacquer thinner, steam cleaner e.t.c. and the power steering and tranny fluid stains are still there. It's soaked into the concrete and I'm pretty sure only time in the sun over years will eliminate it.

Anyone have a trick?

[Blkcamaro80]

There is a type of acid, I can't remeber the name off the top of my head. I have used it to remove rust stains before on concrete. If I remeber what it's called I'll post back up, or if someone else knows chime in.

[dhutton]

Get a bag of cheap clay kitty litter. Cover the stain with an inch or so of the kitty litter and then soak it well with cheap hardware store paint thinner. Cover that with a plastic sheet and let it sit over night. The stain should be gone next day but if not repeat and it should be gone for sure.

[Denvervet]

It is called muriatic acid. Just be a little careful...it works by essentially dissolving the concrete. Probably will help some but if the oil has been there a long while has soaked pretty deep.

[zbugger]

Larry, I got a cleaner at Orchard Supply Hardware right by my house to clean a stain off the driveway at my sister's old place. You need to scrub it in and let it sit for a bit and then just rinse it off. When I did it it took a couple times to clean up but it did ok.

[sniper]

This topic amuses me because, I was fined last year by my HOA to the tune of about $5,000 an oil stain on my driveway.

I have used muratic acid, but it merely etches the concrete, so you can end up with a "streaky" looking driveway. And it didn't take up the oil.

I have used the concrete cleaner products from HD or lowes, No dice.

I have used my friends 3500psi pressure washer, no dice.

I have done the swing dance on top of kitty llitter over the oil stains. Basically grinding the litter into a ducty mixture and that seems to work best. It's a bit tiresome and still leaves a showdow of it's former self.

I have been relegated to putting down cardboard every night under the jeep.

I sure hope someone has a good remedy for this. Besides fix the oil leak. :lol

[dhutton]

This topic amuses me because, I was fined last year by my HOA to the tune of about $5,000 an oil stain on my driveway.

I have used muratic acid, but it merely etches the concrete, so you can end up with a "streaky" looking driveway. And it didn't take up the oil.

I have used the concrete cleaner products from HD or lowes, No dice.

I have used my friends 3500psi pressure washer, no dice.

I have done the swing dance on top of kitty llitter over the oil stains. Basically grinding the litter into a ducty mixture and that seems to work best. It's a bit tiresome and still leaves a showdow of it's former self.

I have been relegated to putting down cardboard every night under the jeep.

I sure hope someone has a good remedy for this. Besides fix the oil leak. :lol

$5000 for an oil stain in your driveway? Where do you live so I know to stay away?

[CarlC]

$10 Wally-World drip pan.

[dadto2jays]

Stain the driveway and seal it....then you can just wipe the oil every day..

[MonzaRacer]

5 gallon bucket of mineral spirits, lay some down, scrub vigorously then lay down a good layer of NAPA brand clay kitty litter, use enough to not see wet litter about 3/8 to 1/2 in thick, Then let sit for hour or so.
Sweep it back up, let breath in another bucket, repeat as necessary and dont throw the oil dry away, its still good after drying back out, if you see a drop or two I always had old gear oil bottle handy with some in it, then a coffee can with oil dry in it for every day ,day to day clean up, you can leave the oil dry down for a time as weather allows but this will work pretty fast .
Try to do it as sun goes down so MS doesnt dry too fast.
you can also use a concrete block and grind some of oil dry into stain after it has drawn some, this will drive some deeper into stain and may pull a little more up.

[elitecustombody]

sandblasting works very well,I just tried it few weeks ago at the shop on fresh concrete

[Larry Callahan]

So far I've tried everything but the kitty litter/mineral spirits. I'll give that a shot.

I'm lucky in that it's not black motor oil and the stains just look like it's wet.

[BA.]

Driving the kitty litter/ oil dry into the concrete by using another brick (or similar) has worked well for me.

on a fresh stain, I've used Oven Cleaner with some success as well.
Griots sells some oil sucking up stuff also, it's pricey at around $25/qt but it's worked well for me too, and you don't need a lot so it goes far.

[PhillipM]

Stain the driveway and seal it....then you can just wipe the oil every day..

By far the best and most effective way. Especially if the vehicle continues to leak.

[sniper]

I'll be trying some of these other solutions.
I won't be trying the driveway staining, as I am sure that is not allowed by the HOA. Can't be different you know.

[MoonMan]

Easiest and cheapest thing I've found is laundry detergent powder (for clothes washing machine, not dishwasher). My driveway used to go behind our house so I would just sprinkle a good amount on the spots and let mother nature take care of the rest. I think it works best if you let it soak in. I wouldn't suggest hosing off right away. If that doesn't work you can try one of the other suggestions but this one is essentially free to try.

[Tony_SS]

Never tried it, but what about Goop or something? It takes oil/grease off your hands? Maybe work in into the concrete and let it sit on there all day and hose it off?

I plan on staining/sealing our driveway.. something I own's always going to leak, even if it doesnt now.

[John Wright]

Might try using a heat gun and then apply the Hy-Dri afterwards....becareful not to over heat the concrete as it will spall, but if carefully done, the heat will cook out the oil and then the Hy-dri can soak it up.

again, Caution must be used when applying the heat, keep the heat gun moving and not let one spot get too hot. Heat it up like the California sun would in the middle of July...LOL

[shep]

I like a mixture of straight simple green and dawn. Works well on fresh stains don't know how well it will work on set in stains. Cover the entire stained area and let set, rinse it off with hot water.

[whitess]

Try this stuff. I've had really good luck with it, used it on some OLD stains and after soaking overnight it took everything off:
http://www.driveupusa.com/store/listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=2
I ordered it through a local Ace Hardware but found some auto parts stores carry it as well.
Larry.

[LeighP]

A friend of mine accidently dropped concentrated pool chlorine on his driveway....when he hosed it off, he was left with a patch of nice clean white concrete. Haven't tried it myself....no one here is threatening me with fines over my driveway stains....(wow, $5K for a stain....)

[BonzoHansen]

Works for me: get some degreaser, like Castrol super clean or whatever, spray it on real good, soak it. Get some speedi-dri (I guess kitty litter is the same, I buy SD at sams club for $5), pour liberally over the cleaner soaked stain. Then grind it into the concrete with your shoe. Grind it real good. Then just let it sit for a few days or whenever mother natures sweeps it away.


$5k, lol. That is the cost of a new driveway. At least 1/2.

[ponchopwr70]

Brake clean and wipe within 60 seconds. The brake clean will lift it just don't go too crazy with it. May have to do it a few times. Also laquer thinner will work too.

[SDS MACHINING]

Coke and a wire brush. Brush with the grain of the broom finish. Do not use Muriatic Acid, that will etch the top layer of cement leaving you possibly with some exposed aggregate. I have had success with this depends obviously the size and age of the stain..good luck