Professional Way To Remove Oil From A Driveway
Do you have eyesore in your driveway and don’t know what to do? Are you getting fined by your HOA and know you have to do something?
I get it!!!!
Awhile back I had a major transmission leak in my own driveway.
I was getting fined by my HOA every month and it was adding up.
After a lot of research online I figured out a steps when repeated over time can remove enough oil to pass an HOA inspection.
I decided to record a Youtube video that described the process just to help people out. I never really had the intention of offering the service.
That video now has about 75,000 views and I started getting calls asking if I could just do it for them. I resisted at first, but finally decided that I had to figure out a way to take care of the oil in only 2 treatment, to keep costs down.
Well I came up with a solution and the three picture above show the results.
You will never get 100% of the oil out a driveway, but the goal is to lesson the eye sore and not get fined by and HOA.
If you want to try to do it yourself review the information below. Those steps repeated over several weekends got enough of the stain out of my driveway to stop being fined by my HOA.
(These before and after pictures are of my professional system of removing oil, the system below can get good results but probably not this good)
This information will help you attempt to remove the oil from your driveway yourself.
3 Steps To Removing Oil From Driveway
Step 1: Alkaline Degreaser – Dawn liquid soap is one of many options here. Apply the degreaser to the oil stain and agitate heavily with a stiff bristle brush. Pressure wash area until all cleaner solution is gone.
Is there a still a stain: YES = Go to step two No = Congratulations you got lucky
Step 2 Acid Cleaning – Remember to only use this step if you are ok with permanently changing the appearance of the concrete. watch the video for more info. If you are not ok with the risk, skip this step and go to step 3. Apply the acid cleaner directly to the oil stain, agitate with a stiff brush, and pressure wash
Is there a still a stain: YES = Go to step three No = Congratulations you got lucky
Step 3: Apply a poultice, ready made or follow my steps below to make your own. Allow poultice to cure and drive over the next 24 hours or so. Sweep or was poultice away.
Go back and repeat steps 1 and 3 until stain is gone, stain stops responding, or it reaches a point that you can live with.
How To Make A Poultice To Remove Oil From A Driveway
The two ingredients that I use are diatomaceous earth and Mineral Spirits. You can find diatomaceous earth at your local pool store are hardware store. Mineral spirits can be found at paint and hardware stores.
Mix diatomaceous earth and mineral spirits together until they become a paste about the consistency of paint.
Sincerely,
Travis Miklethun
Owner – Integrity Cleaning Systems
602-486-3966
If you liked this information please comment and share below
Do you have before and after pic?
There are several different versions of diatomaceous Earth which one am I supposed to use
They would all probably work. I use the one for pool filter purchased at a pool supply store. I believe this is the cheapest option.
I’m assuming you said mineral spirits would be better than a true paint thinner is that correct?
Hey Chuck, I am not sure if Paint Thinner for latex paint would impact oil. I have never tried it.
Hmmm so you run a cleaning business but freely tell people the secrets to doing it themselves if they want to put in the effort. Integrity Cleaning Systems seems like a very apt name.
Any results anyone?
Do you recommend covering the poultice for a day, before allowing it to dry?
You certainly can. It is especially helpful if you are in an dry or hot environment.