removing oil stains?

**750Y** · 4th August 2005, 08:20

what is the best way to get oil off concrete?

**Mooch** · 4th August 2005, 09:01

Bit of kero on a rag , does a reasonable job.

**Paul in NZ** · 4th August 2005, 09:07

Originally Posted by Mooch

Bit of kero on a rag , does a reasonable job.

Ooops! Sorry, I'll park the Guzzi on the road next time Mooch!

Depends, Concrete is porous so if its a really old stain you could be buggered BUT as well as kero, petrol is good and my personal fave - brake cleaner 'cos it's easy in a spray can! Spray on, wipe off...

**WildBoarMouse** · 4th August 2005, 09:19

Standard household detergent works wonders as well... but usually better if it's fairly fresh (within a few days). Squirt it on, scrub it in a bit with a bristle brush and a little water, squirt a bit more on... and leave overnight. Bit more water, little more scrubbing... spray off with the hose. It sounds labour intensive, but isn't really. All up you're looking at about 5-10 minutes work. Hey, if they use the same stuff to clean up oil spills at sea it's got to be a good idea!

Or, you can buy that as-seen-on-tv stuff that works better still.

Costs more though too

**ManDownUnder** · 4th August 2005, 09:35

Sprinkle Ajax powder on the stian - it takes a while but soaks it up and bleaches it out at the same time... sprinkle more on as needed.

Not as fast as other solutions, but cheap and reasonably good

**Mooch** · 8th August 2005, 22:53

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

Ooops! Sorry, I'll park the Guzzi on the road next time Mooch!

Depends, Concrete is porous so if its a really old stain you could be buggered BUT as well as kero, petrol is good and my personal fave - brake cleaner 'cos it's easy in a spray can! Spray on, wipe off...

It would only be a problem if you wanted to park it under the Mini , Still leaks oil after sitting for a few years.

**Ixion** · 8th August 2005, 23:16

Originally Posted by Jackrat

Caustic soda does a pretty good job.
Buy it at your local farm supply store an leave it on a while.
Use gloves!!

Do PLEASE use GOOD gloves. Preferably chemical grade. A caustic burn is the nastiest thing out. Worse than acid . It just eats flesh. Do PLEASE be careful if you use this method, it really is nasty stuff . Effective, but

**MacD** · 8th August 2005, 23:29

A somewhat safer alternative to caustic soda is Sugar Soap. It's still caustic (ph 11) so use gloves and eye protection

(alkalis cause far worse eye injuries than common acids).

Otherwise a $3 can of degreaser from Supercheap Auto works well!

**ajturbo** · 8th August 2005, 23:30

sell house

**Pixie** · 9th August 2005, 00:25

Get a Kango

**scumdog** · 9th August 2005, 00:28

Keep Jackrat away from your drive!!

**Devil** · 9th August 2005, 10:16

We use Dishwasher power. Cover oil stain well and just leave it.

As mentioned, if you have porous concrete, you're screwed.

**Motu** · 9th August 2005, 10:41

Originally Posted by Ixion

Do PLEASE use GOOD gloves. Preferably chemical grade. A caustic burn is the nastiest thing out. Worse than acid . It just eats flesh. Do PLEASE be careful if you use this method, it really is nasty stuff . Effective, but

I think I'm dead and only exist in cyberspace - apart from getting many lungsfull of zinc fumes from welding....we used to clean our workshop floor when I was an apprentice with caustic soda,just sprinkle it on,wet it down and scrub in with the broom,then wash off with the fire hose.It ate our nice smooth floor and made it rough.

**Ixion** · 9th August 2005, 12:42

Originally Posted by Motu

I think I'm dead and only exist in cyberspace - apart from getting many lungsfull of zinc fumes from welding....we used to clean our workshop floor when I was an apprentice with caustic soda,just sprinkle it on,wet it down and scrub in with the broom,then wash off with the fire hose.It ate our nice smooth floor and made it rough.

Ah well, everyone knows that apprentices are a special case. Besides you were probably so covered in oil and grease it would have taken the caustic half an hour to reach flesh.