Oil stains on concrete driveway...

[glockman25]

wouldnt it be illegal to wash it away?

[Danny Tanner]

Brake Cleaner. Yea, not the most "green" solution out there.

It's always worked for me.

It's what I use, too.

[ignerntbend]

The recurrent theme seems to be naptha. I don't even know what to say. That stain will continue to be there. You're stuck with it. Fortunatley, the stain doesn't compromise the structural integrity of the driveway.Get in there with a jackhammer, bust out the existing, and pour the whole thing over. BUT, Realize that another sister in law could show up in the future and recreate the whole problem. Never ending downward spiral. Just cut your losses and keep moving.

[nofearfactor]

I regularly flip alot of used cars and trucks just for something to do when I'm home so I'm usually always working on something over to the side on my side of the driveway, and I make alot of messes. And my wife hates messes. Ive been using this concrete and driveway concentrated cleaner that comes in a gallon container made by Rubbermaid, think I got it at WalMart or somewhere. Works pretty good. And keeps me out of trouble.

[FireCop203]

Power wash it and let it dry. Then paint the whole driveway black and never worry about it again. The neighbors will think you asphalted your driveway.

[SMS]

Good ideas so far...I know I'm mostly stuck with it. Just curious if anyone had found the 'magic bullet'...we are a creative/experienced bunch here!

[Doesn'tPlayWellw/Others]

Muratic Acid (33%hydrocloric acid)

Scrub it with a plastic brush, then rinse with water.

Takes about 5 min, and is enviromentally sound.

oh, but then you will have one REALLY CLEAN spot on your driveway, and you will realize how dirty the rest of the driveway is. LOL

This works

[DPI]

Try ash from your fireplace.

[NINEROUND]

Simple green is what we use at work. Seems to work pretty well.

[Sanjuro82]

Simple Green here as well.

[Cards81fan]

Try ash from your fireplace.

That (along with car litter) works to absorb the bulk of the stain pretty well if applied when fresh. But even if I leave it on for a while (day or two), it never gets it all up.

But when I hit it with a bit of brake cleaner, it gets the color up just fine.


Also, I'm talking small stains, probably no bigger than 8 or 10 inch circles. I've never dealt with 4-5 quarts of oil before (outside of when I worked in a mower shop, then we didn't worry about stains).

[71buickfreak]

The only thing that will actually clean the driveway of oil is soda blasting. It works very well.

[cfw2000]

I've always had success with carburetor cleaning fluid on stubborn/old oil stains. Let it sit for a little while and then scrub off and rinse away.

[PUMPKIN]

wouldnt it be illegal to wash it away?

yes, you really should call the epa and have then come out and excavate your driveway. Some peoples kids.....