How to Remove Oil Stains from a Driveway
 

Daox, may he find the Golden Aero, asked what people use and people said kitty litter, Oil-Dri, diesel, and non-chlorinated brake cleaner.

I think that I have tried brake cleaner.

I don't think it did anything.

Then again, soap hasn't seemed to do anything, either.

The Donut Boys tried Tide, Rustoleum, and BacKrete. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e3CgSz9Mow The BacKrete didn't seem to do anything, but they said it must be designed for fresh oil spills, so if you apply it immediately it should work like a charm.

The Tide did something, but the guy who used it swore by it saying that his parents didn't let him stop cleaning until the stain was gone.

The Rustoleum worked better, but they still used a pressure washer.

This guy apparently whispered because he fixed his motorcycle at a stranger's house while they were away and he didn't want anyone realizing he was there. He said that Tide doesn't work well because it is designed to break up everything but oil.
He used Cascade dishwashing detergent and it seemed to work perfectly with tons of scrubbing.

I used Cascade dishwashing detergent and my power scrubber and it didn't work well! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YvgFwKxFwJI

This guy used blue Dawn platinum, Coke, and lots of scrubbing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbGcMXP3-Xw It may have worked as well as the Rustoleum. It would definitely be cheaper, but he sure did a lot of scrubbing, and he used more water than any other method which I have seen, which would not be ideal in a garage.

BuzzFeed cosigned on the Coke, but it worked completely for them: https://youtu.be/lNFpGClQyAU I am waiting to be impressed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swb14AJ4baU This guy tried Goof Off, Tide, and Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner, and Goof Off worked the best, but I still didn't feel impressed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4q8vUPi1vYo

This guy used toilet bowl cleaner and it left the concrete lighter than the rest! Who do I believe?! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1R5osFVVBs This guy used a quart of Goof Off and said he probably should have used two, but it got most of his big stain: https://youtu.be/7ISXk0a5eAU

This guy tried Zep and muriatic acid--he said he already used a pressure washer!

He used a full chemical-resistant suit and respirator and kept saying that the muriatic acid will do horrible things to you if you don't protect yourself.

It seemed to work completely, but he didn't let it dry before ending the video! :D https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcAHHg7kT-U This redneck said he spent hours the day before cleaning an old stain he just made and then today he tried gasoline and overpriced kitty litter.

He was outside, but he used a lot of gasoline!

I still worry about the fumes!

If you think that is bad, he then used a torch next to the house! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDUWBm30tWE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R98ySMVIQ6Q He said he tried a bunch of stuff yesterday, but this does seem to make it go away completely.

The redneck said to not do that with a big stain because it would heat the concrete so much it would crack.

Slowly go over all of it, never staying in one place too long? :)

This guy talked too much too slowly, needed to wear sunglasses, tried Crud Cutter and Zep and then told us to tell him which worked better. Nobody seemed to think either worked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UIFLpM5UKNQ There is a channel called Forever Alone that runs a professional pressure-washing business. They recommend Dynamite Degreaser, $36 a gallon. This guy used Purple Power, brake cleaner, and acetone, and none of them worked very well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gi0jZpe2cHc

This guy put down brown kitty litter, removed it, and tried WD40, TSP, and Drylock Etch, then kitty litter to absorb it. The WD40 just got it wet, the TSP worked pretty well, and then he used Drylock Etch over where he tried the WD40 and TSP, not the section he had not attempted to clean, and while he filmed himself using the first two methods, he only got video donning PPE and making stupid faces.

I had not heard of Drylock Etch and it does not seem like a complete solution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65jYtUMLl2E Sweet Project Cars says to use lacquer thinner and a brass brush: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBcmqflVDgg Here is a post on Hagerty where a guy tried Dawn, Oil Vanish Stain Remover, and Bix Driveway Cleaner & Degreaser without significant effect.

Motor Biscuit summarized some of these sources, but didn't test any of them. They put less work into this than I did! :)

ChatGPT used 6 sources, but wrote something much shorter than Motor Biscuit. I don't know what to think! :)

In summary:
Donut Media said BacKrete only works on fresh oil, Tide worked okay, Rustoleum worked better, but none worked great.

The oil stain whisperer said that Cascade dishwashing detergent worked perfectly, although I did not have the same experience.

Scott's Garage said that Coke and blue Dawn work well, but not completely.

North Georgia Cleaning tried Goof Off, Tide, and Clorox Toilet Bowl Cleaner, and Goof Off worked the best, but not completely.

Aksmaniyak had better results with toilet bowl cleaner, it left the concrete lighter than the rest!

DIY Man had similar results with Goof Off as North Georgia.

Speedokote had good results with Zep and a pressure washer and chemical suit, but he said the muriatic acid and pressure washer removed all of the oil.

Kelly's Country Life used gasoline and kitty litter with good results and then a torch to get the rest.

Carquestions completely removed the oil with a torch.

The Brothers Bam tried Crud Cutter and Zep, but did not use a pressure washer, and neither worked well.

Forever Alone removed most of the oil stains accumulated at a gas station over 6 months using Dynamite Degreaser.

FurSpheria used Purple Power, brake cleaner, and acetone, and none of them worked very well.

Sweet Project Cars says to use lacquer thinner and a brass brush, but didn't show the final result.

Someone on Hagerty didn't have success with Dawn, Oil Vanish Stain Remover, or Bix Driveway Cleaner & Degreaser.

Fails: BacKrete (on absorbed oil), Crud Cutter, Zep, Purple Power, Brake Cleaner, acetone, Dawn, Oil Vanish Stain Remover, or Bix Driveway Cleaner & Degreaser.

Partial success: Rustoleum and lacquer thinner?

Mostly successful: Coke and Blue Dawn, gasoline and kitty litter, lacquer thinner and a brass brush?

Successful? Cascade, muriatic acid, a pressure washer, and full PPE; a torch Dynamite Degreaser and a professional pressure washer.

Partial results are subjective and there were 14 people giving their opinions.

What works for you?

What works for me is putting down cardboard to catch any drips when I'm working on the car and using a good oil catch pan.

I haven't found anything that will take oil stains out of concrete and leave it looking the same as the surrounding area. Especially on a rough and porous driveway concrete.

Garage floors with a smoother surface are easier to clean. I generally use simple green and a wire brush immediately after the spill.

.

Mu 208cc gasoline powered pressure washer gets it enough for me.
The little electric one barely touches them.

All those Youtubers, and not one tried a yard-square fresnel lens and solar power.

If concrete gets too hot it explodes.

Keep it moving? :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpNmTrTWwWY

Eximo works passively...
 

Well... I consider myself an expert in oil stain removal; I worked tirelessly at a Kroger Fuel Station with the attitude that my fuel station would be the cleanest in town. Behold, Kroger made it easy for me with the product Eximo. Eximo can be bought in larger quantities for cheaper, but here's the facts:

1. Eximo contains an enzyme that "eats" petroleum...then blows away...
2. Eximo blends into the concrete color...just use a little bit and sweep it in...
3. Eximo has the appearance of dry concrete.


At home, I would just sweep it into the stain and maybe cover it with a piece of cardboard (not necessary). Recheck in two days... you'll see its working...maybe sweep in a little more. With care, one square foot of oil stain can be treated with about one tablespoon of Eximo....

One of those "thank me laters"... Google "Eximo"

It works when the oil is already absorbed?

Here is the ad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fS3e_ljbEwI PPE may include a safety vest and cones.

I cannot find a video by anyone but the manufacturer.

It only shows someone sweeting a concrete-colored powder over stains, it doesn't show the product in action.

It is rated 3.9/5 on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/EXIMO-Waterle.../dp/B00CHTDO5K and
4.2 on Walmart: https://www.walmart.com/ip/CAF-Outdo...unce/493358570

Yes, the video shown is fairly accurate. I used it daily and observed the progress. It will continue to work at oil that had been 'absorbed' into concrete. One cup should treat a "fully" oil stained concrete floor. (Most people will be treating a, say, 20sqft area...) Trust me, I had the cleanest concrete pad in town, hands down...
For cost, buy bigger packages...a 2.5 gallon bucket is about $150....much cheaper than wages, saves a lot of time....there are packages of various sizes. Remember, you sprinkle it on, sweep it in, and wait about a week . You can sweep more in if you wanted to.....

I have no affiliation with Eximo. I would sooner order a 32oz package than look for a mop/brush/soap.

Results from a FB friend using EXIMO after 5 days (its still working)

I would think the enzyme solution would be most effective, requires time and likely reapplication. Left over minute amounts of previous cleaners might unintentionally thwart that process.
When oil seeps into the microscopic cracks/crevices in concrete, no water-based detergents can penetrate past the initial contact surface enough, to prevent later the oil from migrating back to the surface and becoming once again visible.

I would like to explore for faster method on concrete an organic solvent like lacquer thinner or acetone liberally applied on very dry concrete, and left to dry, and minutes later, reapplied, and then ignited, the thinking being, it will penetrate the concrete, it will dissolve with the left-over oil and/or remanents, and the burning will draw/wick the visible oils/solids to the surface for removal. It will Not get hot enough to damage the concrete, as the heat will want to rise away from the concrete, and the duration will be less than a minute as it flashes off.

The subtle message above is dry concrete, as moisture in concrete is what causes most damage to concrete when heated above 212F which turns to steam and spalls the concrete.

New 4gpm pressure washer works pretty good at blowing oil stains.

J-C-C and Oil Pan 4,

I'm sure you missed the point of Eximo. You sprinkle it on, sweep it in, and let Eximo do its work. Simple. You can start with an oil stained area of concrete. Sprinkle on some Eximo and sweep it in. There are two wonders of the product.

1. Initial "sweeping it in" covers the stain with the product so the product blends in with the color of concrete.....the stain is still there but the Eximo hides it.

2. its not like watching paint dry....The enzymes work slowly and eats away at the petroleum product. Some people will watch it for a couple of days and then add some more....that's OK but usually just re-sweeping the product to redistribute it into the oil stain area works just fine. Left in place, the Eximo product continues to do it's job. If you want to further apply to a stain because "Karen the nasty HOA president" is coming over after sending you threatening letters to inspect your driveway, just reapply.

I have found a strong detergent and a good work-place mop and bucket wringer is well work the effort...old formula TSP would work well in a mop bucket. ( dirty mop bucket water goes down the toilet...sounds wrong, but it does not go down the gutter/storm drain or dumped on soils, which is the problem with pressure washers.

But that's the thing, the Eximo eats petroleum...there is no hazardous waste, per say...other than dust and you do not want to wear your new black slacks or black tennis shoes...the dust when sweeping is ever-present.

On the use of lacquer thinners, white gas, gasoline...not a good idea in an enclosed space or in a garage built onto a house. I did that once...never again. What happens is you soak, say a 2sqFt area with a volatile agent, let it sit a minute, and light it off.... .It only takes the first time to understand that the invisible fumes have spread and sunk to an 100sqft area and will flash...its pretty scary for a few seconds...then when you realize what a fool you were, you try to find something to smother the "concrete candle, which is now 6sqft in size" fire and end up fanning fresh air to the fuel. At least the flames will be relatively low temperature, with every attempt to smother, the flames jump higher. A witnessing neighbor will call the fire department and then run to your aid....he'll see you trying to smother the concrete candle and wont help...he'll wonder why you don't run out...no need for a fire truck, but the paramedic will provide ibuterol to slow your heartbeat.
Using a rag soaked in a volatile fluid and scrubbing is only slightly safer, unless you forget to place the rag in a steel can or set it out to dry.

C-n-n, I don't know where you got..."prior treatments will diminish the effect of Eximo", but you didn't hear that from me. I don't think you got that from the manufactures' website, either.

Cheers.

I'll do a before and after. I got some oil stands, good old motor oil on concrete.
The stain has been there 2 weeks.
See what the hot gx390 powered pressure washer can do to it.

Then I believe you surely missed my point, let me quote my opening comment;
"I would think the enzyme solution would be most effective, requires time and likely reapplication. Left over minute amounts of previous cleaners might unintentionally thwart that process."

Referring to left over previous cleaners deep soaked into the concrete, I suspect used strong cleaners might remain at the oil/stain interface and negate or handicap an enzyme cleaner getting past said cleaner, like chorine for example.

I did make a lame assumption here, my bad. in anyone would be foolish and/or arrogant enough to use a highly flammable solvent indoors, especially at their house, and then ignite it.

I use oil dry / kitty litter and a 2x4. You simply spread the KL on the spot and grind it to powder with the 2x4 under your foot. The oil stain is completely gone in seconds.

Really?

Sounds like makeup for concrete with a touch of cognitive bias, but I might be wrong.:D

Here is the before, it wasn't dry till after dark so I'll get another pic today.
That's 2 weeks o baking in the sun.
https://ecomodder.com/forum/attachme...1&d=1694009935

I think one aspect seldom mentioned here is oil hard stains I suspect are largely made up of the solids/particles carried in the oil, not the oil itself, just removing residue oil does not always remove the solid contaminates left behind after the oil is removed. The oil that has seeped into the microstructure of concrete often carries with it those particles. I am uncertain how susceptible they are to enzyme destruction.

J-C-C, absolutely misread your post in a fit of anger and anxiety regarding other issues not related to oil stains.

And, here's a link to the product in a practical quanity that could treat an average size oil covered garage twice. For spots like Oil Pan pictured, perhaps a tablespoon brushed on with a paintbrush would noticeably decline in two days and possibly disappear in two weeks. (Edit))...cannot post link due to insufficient number of posts.

GOOGLE: "AMAZON EXIMO 12 OUNCE"....$23USD

No Problem, its behind us.

I have used lots of kitty litter on lots of stains.

I'm a messy boy.

I don't think that it has ever picked up all of the oil, let alone what soaked into the concrete.

The rental has an epoxied garage floor, but I still need to pick up the oil Mom leaked when she borrowed Crisis.

I just hide the stains with paint overspray.