oil on driveway - best way to clean
Discussion
I have had a few cars for repair outside my house leaking oil on the road, to keep neighborly relations I clean them the same day.
Cat litter grit piled on top of liquid oil and brush it all in so it soaks that up, shovel it up to get rid of it.
Then sprinkle washing powder over the black stains and brush it in well, bit of water to make a slurry and scrub that in, then rinse it with the hose.
Usual problem is that it looks different from the surrounding tarmac as it's too clean. But no complaints from my neighbors.
Cat litter grit piled on top of liquid oil and brush it all in so it soaks that up, shovel it up to get rid of it.
Then sprinkle washing powder over the black stains and brush it in well, bit of water to make a slurry and scrub that in, then rinse it with the hose.
Usual problem is that it looks different from the surrounding tarmac as it's too clean. But no complaints from my neighbors.
mrsshpub said:
Cheap washing up liquid over the entire area then leave it. No need to brush in & it will be gone when it next rains, as long as it's had long enough time to soak in.
Sounds like the low-effort sort of solution I like. I'll put 'cheap washing up liquid' on the shopping list. What's the drive made of?
The No Nonsense degreaser from Screwfix is quite good on concrete.
Try a bit of solvent like white spirit or petrol, then the detergent to wash it away.
On tarmac, you are limited by the tar being more soluble than the mess you're trying to remove.
If the oil is still wet, sawdust to absorb it helps.
Cream cleaner like Cif/Jif sometimes works well.
The No Nonsense degreaser from Screwfix is quite good on concrete.
Try a bit of solvent like white spirit or petrol, then the detergent to wash it away.
On tarmac, you are limited by the tar being more soluble than the mess you're trying to remove.
If the oil is still wet, sawdust to absorb it helps.
Cream cleaner like Cif/Jif sometimes works well.
Had exactly the same predicament after I cocked up a oil changed at the weekend and split a load of oil on my block paving.
Washing up liquid didn't really touch it,so I gave it a good soaking with some vanish spray(for laundry) which i let soak for 30 minutes,and 2 dishwasher tablets dissolved in boiling water,sprayed on and scrubbed with a handbrush.
I wasn't expecting great things to be honest,but the end result is 95% of it has completely gone,just a few ingrained specs left.
Washing up liquid didn't really touch it,so I gave it a good soaking with some vanish spray(for laundry) which i let soak for 30 minutes,and 2 dishwasher tablets dissolved in boiling water,sprayed on and scrubbed with a handbrush.
I wasn't expecting great things to be honest,but the end result is 95% of it has completely gone,just a few ingrained specs left.
I have used BnQ's clean spirit for many degreasing jobs (Including removing dropped barbecue fat from limestone), with considerable success although it is slightly slower than conventional white spirit in cleaning oily crud from bike chains.
It is aqueous and, they say, biodegradable and it would not dissolve oils etc. in tarmac. It is also not, in my view, expensive - about £5/2l. Downsides - only one as far as I am concerned: it seems to be a very strong detergent and will cause skin dryness. If using it neat, as I would for removing oil, I will wear Marigold or similar gloves - not too much of a problem.
It is aqueous and, they say, biodegradable and it would not dissolve oils etc. in tarmac. It is also not, in my view, expensive - about £5/2l. Downsides - only one as far as I am concerned: it seems to be a very strong detergent and will cause skin dryness. If using it neat, as I would for removing oil, I will wear Marigold or similar gloves - not too much of a problem.
dealing with concrete paving slabs in this case. One of the leaking cars has been leaking onto the same slabs for 6 months but I believe I've fixed the oil leak so now I want to clean it.
Lots of good recommendations so thanks for that. Don't think I'll try Dave's sauce... not sure that response was added to the right thread.
Lots of good recommendations so thanks for that. Don't think I'll try Dave's sauce... not sure that response was added to the right thread.
ingenieur said:
dealing with concrete paving slabs in this case. One of the leaking cars has been leaking onto the same slabs for 6 months but I believe I've fixed the oil leak so now I want to clean it.
Lots of good recommendations so thanks for that. Don't think I'll try Dave's sauce... not sure that response was added to the right thread.
Definitely was as it says it on the bottle so must be true!Lots of good recommendations so thanks for that. Don't think I'll try Dave's sauce... not sure that response was added to the right thread.
Personally I have used with some success either sand or the driveway de-icing grit, leave a pile on the stain & it draws it out over time.
Decky_Q said:
sprinkle washing powder over the black stains and brush it in well, bit of water to make a slurry and scrub that in, then rinse it with the hose.
This has always worked for me. The powder mixes in to the oil to form a paste which can sit for a while slowly absorbing it.If it doesn't work fully first time, just rinse and repeat until it does.
Incidentally, undiluted washing powder is also what I use for cleaning my oil stained hands after a day on the spanners. It stings a bit, especially if you've got any cuts or abrasions, but gets them sparkling clean, just wash with normal soap and water once the worst is off.
plenty said:
I've tried everything from cat litter to many professional products.
The best I've found is Bilt Hamber Surfex HD, sprayed on neat and agitated. Leave to dry then pressure wash off. May need a few rounds but the oil will come off, which is more than I can claim for most methods.
+ another for Surfex HD. Works really well on my block paving.The best I've found is Bilt Hamber Surfex HD, sprayed on neat and agitated. Leave to dry then pressure wash off. May need a few rounds but the oil will come off, which is more than I can claim for most methods.
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