Oil Cleanup
Thread Starter
|
MSEE
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 10,386
Likes: 35
From: Austin, TX
Oil Cleanup
Does anyone have any good suggestions for methods to clean up motor oil, transmission fluid, etc off driveways? Any chemicals, etc that proved effective? I'm talking about some good-sized stains from vehicles leaking fluid onto the pavement over time. Thanks all!
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,338
Likes: 3
From: Grants Pass, Oregon
Try some Simple Green,and a stiff plastic bristled brush first thing as a " green" option.....If you really want it cleaned up,and your situation doesnt carry any concerns about chemical run off,try some of the heavy duty aerosol engine degreaser,hot water,and the same brush mentioned earlier............
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
Put speedy-dry on it first. Let it sit for a while and shovel it off. You'll be surprised how much comes up.
We had to rehabilitate our current shop because during a family situation it was neglected and birds got in. We had to pressure wash the entire building from the inside. We put speedy dry on the oil stains and let it sit then cleaned it up before we started. Then we got some dish soap and a stiff-bristled broom. It got that floor pretty clean. Unfortunately it's nasty again, but that's to be expected from 3 years worth of use.
We had to rehabilitate our current shop because during a family situation it was neglected and birds got in. We had to pressure wash the entire building from the inside. We put speedy dry on the oil stains and let it sit then cleaned it up before we started. Then we got some dish soap and a stiff-bristled broom. It got that floor pretty clean. Unfortunately it's nasty again, but that's to be expected from 3 years worth of use.
Government Teat-sucker
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 9,748
Likes: 1
From: Virginia Beach
When I did my garage floor (in my gallery), I used some stuff I picked up at Home Depot made by Behr. It was a 2 part method- first you scrub the floor and then you etch it (but only if you are painting the concrete). It worked remarkably well on the 19 year old grease stains on my floor.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
If you scuff speedy-dry into the stain with your foot, it'll pull most of it out. Hit the rest with Simple Green, and it should be taken care of. Hot water pressure washers also do a good job.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
This is going to sound crazy, but I've seen it work perfectly. My Mazda has a bit of an oil leak, and I did a job for a customer (now friend) who had an immaculate concrete driveway. I took some cardboard and put it under my truck while I was working there, but I still missed with a couple drips. I felt bad about it and didn't say anything, but the next day when I came back, I noticed the spots were bigger--but I could smell something flowery on them. I eventually asked, and the guy said he uses liquid laundry detergent--just puts it on the spot and lets the rain wash it off (I think). A few weeks later, my family went back for dinner, and there were no traces whatsoever of the spots. The driveway is about 10 years old and still looks brand new. (I would have parked it the street for the job, but the driveway is really long--I wasn't going to hump my equipment that far).
Jason
Jason
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 630
Likes: 1
From: Central PA
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
pedant
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,576
Likes: 38
From: EXTREME southwest CT
So the driveway is asphalt?
TriSodiumPhosphate would be a good bet, but the phosphates aren't too kind to the environment over time.
For concrete I like to use a product called 'Swab' by the makers of Gunk, Radiator Specialty Company.
Here's a link: Concrete Cleaners
I also see they make a liquid for both asphalt and concrete, but I have not tried it.
TriSodiumPhosphate would be a good bet, but the phosphates aren't too kind to the environment over time.
For concrete I like to use a product called 'Swab' by the makers of Gunk, Radiator Specialty Company.
Here's a link: Concrete Cleaners
I also see they make a liquid for both asphalt and concrete, but I have not tried it.
Post Fiend
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 7,649
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford, CT
Speedy Dry, K-Sorb...
Whatever you wanna call it. It's a material that looks a lot like kitty litter, but is specially designed to soak up oil.
To the guy that mentioned laundry detergent:
How exactly did you figure out that it smelled flowery? Did you sniff the dude's driveway?
Whatever you wanna call it. It's a material that looks a lot like kitty litter, but is specially designed to soak up oil.
To the guy that mentioned laundry detergent:
How exactly did you figure out that it smelled flowery? Did you sniff the dude's driveway?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fred_79f250
General NON-Automotive Conversation
9
Oct 7, 2005 08:28 AM
