From a non-auto forum - guy pours a concrete drive three weeks ago. Babysitters car had a major oil leak and left a trail the length of the drive - it looks about like the oil filter fell off - a 6 inch or so wide solid trail. He called a pressure washing company and all that did was etch into the fresh (unsealed) concrete and didn't remove the oil. Any ideas?
In reply to glueguy :
You might be SOL.
Concrete is porous. Sounds like the oil has soaked in.
Its not something that can be cleaned off the surface. It's like trying to clean the inside of a sponge.
Burn it?
There are oil stain remover chemicals. They don't really work that well but it may be better after a few applications.
https://www.amazon.com/Chomp-52019-Concrete-Stain-Remover/dp/B0046O5YMA
Then follow up with this?
https://www.amazon.com/Seymour-20-600-Traffic-Specialties-Concrete/dp/B019DW97Z4
It isn't going to match exactly but would probably make it less noticeable if there isn't a better solution.
I'd try to come up with some sort of poultice that would lay on the concrete and help draw the oil up out of the concrete.
I've had some luck with Simple Green and kitty litter. Put the simple green down, put the litter on top, let it sit for a few days. Sometimes that will soak it up.
I've heard of people using Coke too. (Not cocaine! Although if you're high maybe you won't care about the stain!)
I once dumped a bunch of oil on my parents’ concrete drive. Went to the local autozone type place and bought a gallon of concrete stain remover. Don’t remember the brand, but I think it was Zep or maybe Purple Power. Anyway, it’s basically just a detergent that soaks unto the pores of the concrete. You pour it on, let it soak, then hose it off. I had to repeat 2-3 times, but eventually the stain was completely gone.
Like CyberEric mentioned, Coke may be the answer.
If you use kitty litter, get Cat's Pride brand. It's made by Oil Dri.
Also, take video of people working it into the concrete. You can use it for blackmail later.
Pressure washing strips the top layer off the concrete.
kilgoretrout said:Burn it?
I have done that. It works pretty well
Concrete is very porous unless sealed, and after 3 weeks he shouldnt have been able to blow off the surface easily. The problem is all the concrete below it is stained, not just the surface. If its broom finish its even more pourous.
He could try throwing a lot of degreaser at it but more than likely its gonna be noticable. He could try degreasing than staining everything to try make it look the same, or maybe paint it if he likes that look.
In reply to kilgoretrout :
That will probably cause lots of spalling, or blowing the top surface off. Especially so if there was any moisture near it ever, and concrete absorbs moisture
What about one of the oil enzyme cleaners to eat the oil and stain? Never used one but a jug of the stuff costs less than kitty litter.
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