OT: Cleaning oil spots off cement driveway

[fedoragent]

Folks,

I share a vintage carport area with multiple tenants. It is becoming quite apparent that the oil spots are coming from...you guessed it...my P-15. There are tons of little spots everywhere and I think I should start cleaning them. Does anyone have a method for cleaning oil spots of cement?

Thanks,

FG.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I use a high grade of cat litter (baked clay) and place on the oil spill then you can take a brick size piece of 2 x 4 and grind it into the oil spill, this will pulverize the clay allowing it to enter into the pores of the concrete absorbing the oil..

[greg g]

After that some simple green and water should take care of the rest. Stubborn spots will respond to some oven cleaner.

Here is another idea. Go to a restaurant supply place, one that sell used equipment even better and get a full size seet pan. these are what places use for baking, and are usually 18 x 24 inches insize. Then go to the pet supply store, and get some puppy training pads. Place a pad on the tray (you may need to weight the pad down for out door use) then slide the pan under the car. The pad will absorb the oil the pan will keep the drive way clean, and it will store in your trunk without taking up much space.

[Reg Evans]

I've used lacquer thinner and then a hot soapy water rinse with great results.

[busycoupe]

I just bought a large drip tray at the local Car Quest store. Made by Blitz, about 25 x 36 inches. Made of metal, kind of like a big cookie sheet. It was 15.95 including sales tax. It seems to catch most of the drips.

[p10plymouth]

As a side note:

trust me I do not like leaks...

But maybe I read it here or the Hamb..

quote: "My car doesn't leak .... It marking its teritory..!"

[48mirage]

A little bleach on the oil spots will start a chemical reaction that will break done the oil then a little soap and water should clean things up.

[LAKOTA169]

I got this off the web. Don't remember where.

Trisodium Phosphate (TSP)

Mix TSP with an absorbent material like talc or baby powder to make a smooth paste. apply to stain. Once the paste is dry, scrape it off with a pallet knife and sweep away. scrub with a nylon brush and hose off. If stain is deep, repeat 2 - 3 times.

I haven't tried this so can't say if it will work or not.

[Don Coatney]

I use a high grade of cat litter ..

I did not know they had high grade cats in Georgia:rolleyes:

Do these high grade cats turn there nose up at low grade litter and dump outside the box?

[Niel Hoback]

Don, I think he meant to use a high grade of cat to litter on the ground. Then all you gotta do is sweep them up.

[Plymouthy Adams]

next time I'll just say be sure to say use 100% clay litter without anti-cat odorizers added..trust me..though it sounds good, cat fur will not absorb enough oil and beside the nasty animals such as they are, who in their right mind would hold one long enough to clean any dirty spot..I personally would not risk a ring worm handling any cat..dead or alive..only reason a cat has nine lives is so you can kill them over and over...really I don't care that much for cats as pets..but some folks truly like them..and as long as they have them off my property..we get along fine....

[Reg Evans]

SOoooo ! You're the guy that hurt my sweet little kitty.

[rockable]

Brake parts cleaner works great on unsealed concrete. Use it on a hot day. It vaporizes the oil and takes it right out.

To prevent future spots, buy one of those shallow pans from Autozone and put it under the P15 when you park it.

[BobT-47P15]

I also have one of those large drip pans from the auto supply. They

work OK.

[LAKOTA169]

I use a large cookie pan under mine. Of course, it makes the cookies taste funny.

[49 Dodge Dude]

I use a large cookie pan under mine. Of course, it makes the cookies taste funny.

LOL

[fedoragent]

I have a oil drip tray under the car now and Stabil Stop Leak in at least until next month. At that point, I'll get to that rear main seal, clean out the pan, replace all the gaskets and such. We have tried oven cleaner, which didn't work. Dish detergent did work to cut the initial layer. I'm going to try GooGone tomorrow.

FG.

[bearheart]

The cheapest kitty litter without odor absorbing stuff is 100% clay. Use that. Carry some in the bucket, drop some on the spot and using your feet grind it into the stains. drop some more all around and do the hokey-pokey twist while doing some more grinding. Then use a very stiff brush/broom to further push it into the surface. Then sweep up and dispose of it. repeat if required. This is the procedure used by haz-mat guys.

[rockable]

Try the brake parts cleaner. Goo Gone won't work. I know. I've tried about every kind of degreaser you can think of. I just removed some spots with brake parts cleaner last weekend. You don't even have to dance on it or scrub it. Just spray it on.

[fedoragent]

Try the brake parts cleaner. Goo Gone won't work. I know. I've tried about every kind of degreaser you can think of. I just removed some spots with brake parts cleaner last weekend. You don't even have to dance on it or scrub it. Just spray it on.

Wait, what brand?

FG.

[PatS....]

I used brake cleaner and carb cleaner...both work great. Whatever is on sale

Carb cleaner will also take road tar off the car pretty good.

[48P15Annie]

Oil Dri, can of carb spray, and a powerwasher. Laquer thinner too sometimes.

I have a series of pans lined with Oil Dri to catch my drips.

[dezeldoc]

Dilute down some pool acid, cleans like magic!

[TodFitch]

Dilute down some pool acid, cleans like magic!

Muriatic acid (pool acid) when used in strength will etch concrete. I'd be careful using that to clean your driveway if its too strong you will be removing the top surface.

[fedoragent]

Muriatic acid (pool acid) when used in strength will etch concrete. I'd be careful using that to clean your driveway if its too strong you will be removing the top surface.

I'm sure the landlord would love that.

FG.