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Pressure washing works for me. I've used an enzyme activated cleaner that works well on concrete but destroys asphalt. Search for that. Muriatic acid (pool acid) will clean it really well, but is best left to professionals.
If all cleaning methods fail, could just get some spray paint that matches the concrete and shoot a bit on the spots to blend it in. Keep the can in the garage for future use. Probably would last a fairly long time.
You could try muriatic acid. Be very careful, wear eye protection, gloves and old clothing with waterproof crappy shoes...this stuff is nasty. But I've cleaned some greasy slippery coating that didn't come off with anything...muriatic acid took it off clean.
Hi All so these oil stains are about 6 - 8 mos old. They are on my concrete driveway (the whitish kind typical driveways)
anyhow, I tried everything; pour n restore, chomp, kitty litter, brake fluid cleaner, TSP, etc
they just seem to lighten it up, but still noticeable. is there anything or anyway to get rid of them completely or almost barely visible from standing up, up close distance?
or would a professional pressure washing company will be able to take it out?
I was purchasing seat cover cleaner yesterday and saw some products for removing oil. Check in your car washing isle at your local Walmart or big box stores. I also know that a product called "Goop" removes such things and that will be found at your local home improvement store.
I'd use a rough scrub brush after leaving the cleaning product on following the directions.
I forgot to mention, I pretreat with an oil absorber to lift out the liquid oil. Leave the oil absorbing granules on overnight, sweep up, then go at it with the CLR Grease Magnetic, a bristle brush, and rinse off with the hose. Always took me at least two hard scrubbings before I was satisfied with the results.
Now for the disclaimer - I notice that you said that it's an old stain. I cleaned my oil spills up immediately after making them. Your stain has probably set, so I don't actually know how my method will work out for you, but at least you can skip the oil absorbant pretreatment.
First use oil absorb. Follow it up with powdered laundry soap and a push broom with stiff bristles. Spread the soap and lightly wet the surface. Use the push broom to scrub the concrete. Hose it down several times and allow to dry. Now seal and paint the concrete. You're not going to get an even color on concrete but you should start with a clean surface before doing any concrete treatment.
Pour absorbent kitty litter on the spot while the laquer is still wet. (The non clumping kind) basically get the cheap kitty litter that just absorbs.
Move the litter around then let it soak up.
Sweep it away.
Repeat if needed.
(The laquer thinner loosens up the oil and brings it to the surface where the kitty litter soaks it up)
The problem with using muriatic acid or pressure washing is it "eats" up the concrete surface and the new stains just go deeper. So the concrete would need to be sealed
Trying to spot use muriatic acid creates its own issues as it will clean the hell out of that spot. So you would need to treat the whole driveway.
Pour absorbent kitty litter on the spot while the laquer is still wet. (The non clumping kind) basically get the cheap kitty litter that just absorbs.
Move the litter around then let it soak up.
Sweep it away.
Repeat if needed.
(The laquer thinner loosens up the oil and brings it to the surface where the kitty litter soaks it up)
quote]
This ^^^
If still stained, as is likely as the oil is really not a stain but a part of the driveway material at this point, add kitty litter or sawdust at regular intervals and over time it will absorb the oil a bit more quickly than mother nature washing it away.
Bottom line: There is no magic solution. The oil spots are "permanent", but nothing lasts forever. Over time, wear and tear, the elements, and the sun will bleach out the oil. Kitty litter and saw dust at regular intervals will accelerate this process (and make a mess every time it rains. That is the cost of removing the oil).
I have had great luck using plain old Dawn. First you scrub the stained area then rinse it off. Then you reapply quite a bit of Dawn then let it just sit for a while. Then scrub again and rinse.
I've had the same problem on my concrete driveway and the following worked well. Stonetech stain remover for granite by dupont ($20 for the pint on amazon) (recommended by a knowledgeable friend). Layer it on real thick and leave it for a week or two. It will draw it back out and then gently powerwash the hard paste away. Repeat a second time and give it another week and then you will be all set.
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