Topic: How to get oil off of concrete

[gregimotis]

Now, we're not talking about 'new' oil, that's pretty easy with some sand and soap.

No, we're talking about oil that's been there for a week or three.  It's full of dirt, it's soaked in, it's more goo than liquid, and pretty soon it's gonna be a big black stain.

That's the kind of oil I mean.  I guess I could get some simple green and a wire wheel... any ideas besides 'just get down there and scrub.

[kghost]

They sell a product for that at lowes and home depot.

[Johnie]

A pressure washer works good too.  Providing you be careful as some of those washers can take the concrete out of concrete...

[fuzzybutt]

dampen the stains with water, spread some powdered laundry soap (tide, stuff like that) let it sit a few minutes then scrub it with an old broom vigorously, rinse

[kirkn]

I've never tried Simple Green.  I use something called 'Purple Stuff', available at cheapie auto parts stores, and a brass-bristled wire brush. 

Pressure washers also work great, but as mentioned, can take the concrete out of concrete...   

Kirk

[Really?]

Pressure washers can draw lines in the concrete, be careful.  I have two stains that won't come out.  used that stuff from Lowes and Home Depot and a power washer.  I gets a bunch but not all like it says.  I figure having the whole driveway sandblasted should do it!

[Caaveman82]

Get it wet.

Pour a generous amount of Dawn liquid soap on it, pour some sugar over top of it, get a bristled scuzz brush and scrub it out a little. Let it sit for about twenty minutes, scrub it again, then rinse and see where you are at. It's works, honest.

Also dawn and sugar is great if you don't have any heavy duty hand soap available after working on the car/bike.

[Jonesy]

To get the thick of it out, sprinkle the area with oil-dri or plain kitty litter (same stuff).

Take a brick and scrub the area with the flat side of the brick, pulverizing the kitty litter and grinding it into the cracks and pores in the concrete. Sweep it up and vacuum up the rest with a shop-vac.

[bill440cars]

      Castrol Super Clean will get it out too! I got it at Wal Mart. You just spray some on the place, let it set about 15 minutes (I think that was how long) and spray it with the water hose. May take more than ne attempt, depends on how long it's been there. You'll notice a definite difference right away. Worked for me!

[Bob Wessner]

You can also use some paint thinner. Let is sit on the spot for a while, then use kitty litter or whatever, brush it around a bit then sweep it up. I keep the used litter around in a steel can as it can be used multiple times.

[Frankencake]

Suck it up and admit that oil on concrete is a beautiful thing.  Throw some kitty litter on it and wait a day or two.  Then sweep it up.  Leave the stain as a badge of honor and always park your leaky machine in the same spot. 
I once had an Isuzu Trooper with bad rings.  The entire left side of the engine was covered with oil that blew out the dipstick hole.  I would park in the same spot in front of my bosses house and everyday I would leave my mark.  Soon, his wife came out with some cardboard and asked me to park aim for it.  When I asked for a raise to buy another car, they just looked at each other.  I was amused. 

[333]

Be aware that things like paint thinner are just as toxic as the oil itself.  Simple Green is biodegradable.  I don't know about the other stuff mentioned.  As far as pressure washers are concerned, the larger gas powered ones might take off cement, but most will do the job asked of it and no more.

[bryanj]

Put oil absorbant granules (Kitty litter will work but not as good) on it about 1/4 inch thick.

Keep walking/driving on it for a couple days then sweep up (But DONT throw away its still good for spills!) repeat and eventually all stain will dissapear.

DO NOT leave down if it rains, it will turn into grey sludge that gets "tracked" everywhere seriously upsetting swmbo

[Retro Rocket]

Try caustic soda, it will bring the concrete up like new. spread the caustic onto the oil and then sprinkle water on with a hose and let it sit for a few minutes. It gets quite hot as it reacts and then you can scrub it with a course broom and it should come out, if not completely clean, repeat the process.

Mick

[silver fox]

Paint the whole lot black

Hey presto, you'll never have to worry about it again

[gregimotis]

I once had an Isuzu Trooper

My Trooper has been the oil culprit coincidentally  - I just fixed an o-ring to stop it.



I love my trooper.  It's ugly, old, dirty, underpowered, and gets about 12 miles to the gallon; however it starts every time, it runs under the worst abuse, it swims through deep snow/lakes of mud/piled up dead bodies of my enemies/whatever.


Anyhow, thanks for the suggestions.

[bill440cars]

Be aware that things like paint thinner are just as toxic as the oil itself.  Simple Green is biodegradable.  I don't know about the other stuff mentioned.  As far as pressure washers are concerned, the larger gas powered ones might take off cement, but most will do the job asked of it and no more.

          Yeah, Super Clean is biodegradable also. I've used Simple Green also. Used to use Gunk.

[Bob Wessner]

Be aware that things like paint thinner are just as toxic as the oil itself.  Simple Green is biodegradable.  I don't know about the other stuff mentioned.  As far as pressure washers are concerned, the larger gas powered ones might take off cement, but most will do the job asked of it and no more.

I'm assuming this is a relatively small spot. I wouldn't recommend it for an entire garage floor. There will be some 'toxic' residue no matter what method you use actually, but you are correct, a distillate such as thinner is more so than just oil.