Oil stained driveway

[AlFischer]

OK. So I am a sloppy oil changer. Got more on driveway than normal. Didn't hit it with oil soak and now the person in charge of neatness wants it clean. And she is serious.



Tried the best driveway cleaner I could find. Also pellet stove cleaner. Both are probably lye. (Sodium Hydroxide). No effect. Pressure washer. Bleach. Acetone. MEK. No effect.



Any recommendations? I am in DEEEEP trouble!

 

[EMD-Run8]

Go to a truck parts place and get some "Kick It" degreaser. Tough stuff used to clean OTR trucks.

 

[Nate]

Pour oil over the whole driveway



Is your driveway tar or cement?

 

[Ross]

Castrol Super Clean from W-M (Purple Gallon Jug)

Try Castrol Super Clean from Wal-Mart, available in purple gallon jugs. Don't get it on your hands if full strength. You could also try "spic-n-span". It used to contain Trisodium Phosphate, but because TSP is such a strong base, it is no longer an ingredient. I think the Super Clean will fix you right up, though.

 

[HeavyHauler]

Lighter fluid works really well (not charcoal lighter fluid). Get several bottles of the stuff for Zippo lighters, and put a match to it. It cleaned the majority of 15+ years of oil stains off our carport.

 

[Hoefler]

Soak it down with mineral spirits. Then cover it with oil dry, it will draw it up. After sweeping it up, you can let the oil dry dry and re use it. I use this method in my shop and at the fire house shop. I usually keep a mop bucket full of mineral spirits just for this purpose.

 

[AlFischer]

So I'm not alone

Looks like I am not the only one that has dripped dirty oil!!

Thanks for the ideas. I will try them this weekend because I am afraid of coming home and finding a jack hammer from the rental place waiting! I think she is serious this time.



Some of the stains came out but the worst seems to be mainly the black discoloration from the dirt in the oil.



I think if I will seal the concrete if I can ever get it clean.



Well, off to Wally World and the truck stop!

 

[stownsend]

I always go to my buddies house when I change my oil. I tell him that I'm coming over with a case of beer so we can hang out in the garage and before you know it the job is done... . and no oil in my driveway! :-laf

 

[Nate]

Mineral Spirits in a mop bucket. . That doesn't sounds very safe for fire!

Soak it down with mineral spirits. Then cover it with oil dry, it will draw it up. After sweeping it up, you can let the oil dry dry and re use it. I use this method in my shop and at the fire house shop. I usually keep a mop bucket full of mineral spirits just for this purpose.

 

[Regcabguy]

Cardboard

I use massive amounts of cardboard when I change oil and especially the transmission fluid even with the Mag-Hytec. I have used brake cleaner and a wire brush followed up with Costco's degreaser solution for some relief of drippings.

 

[Hoefler]

Mineral Spirits in a mop bucket. . That doesn't sounds very safe for fire!

Mineral spirits is one of the safest solvents out there. It is biodegradable, has a very low flash point ( temperature which it will vaporize to support a flame ), you can wash it down with soap and water ( I use Dawn ), commonly known as Stoddard solvent, and you would be surprised to know how many solvent parts washer are filled with it. All the truck shops that I have worked in since 1980, have had a bucket around to clean oily bays. It works great to clean up under an immobilized truck, wet mop under the truck, dry mop it the best you can, go home, come back to a clean dry floor in the morning.

 

[AlFischer]

Mineral spirits?

Is mineral spirits the same as plain old paint thinner?

 

[WYoung]

If you dump some powder laundry detergent on it and get it a little wet to make a paste, then rub it in with a brick or sturdy scrub brush, it should come up quite clean.

 

[Graphic man]

Is mineral spirits the same as plain old paint thinner?

No, mineral spirits is like Varsol, paint thinner is like lacquer thinner

 

[FourBarR]

here in Canada we have a product called Oil Lift. Its sold in auto parts stores works great. should be available in the USA.

 

[Hoefler]

Is mineral spirits the same as plain old paint thinner?

Yes. If you find paint thinner, look at the label, it will say mineral spirits on it in small print.



You do not want lacquer thinner!! It has a very low flash point and if used in confined areas, can cause an explosion.

 

[SEmerson]

Pour oil over the whole driveway

I have nearly done this... ... ... ... ... . I own 3 diesels.

 

[The patriot]

I've used citrus solvent, not the stuff walmart sells... the commercial stuff.

I think it's called "D'limone" or something like that.

It smells good too!

Eric



Edit: it's called "d-Limonene"

this place has it pretty reasonable:

http://www.restockit.com/ALL-YOU-NEED-Plus-Natural-Citrus-Heavy--Duty-Cleaner--(34001DYMON)---ON-SALE-TODAY!.html?c1=directory&source=froogle&kw=34001DYMON&GCID=S13921x021&KEYWORD=34001DYMON

 

[Tony D]

Believe it or not... pour a can of Coke on it and let stand for a few minutes. Wash it down with water and in most cases its gone.