oil stained concrete..What to do?

[KYErik]

I use liquid laundry detergent. Pour it on (undiluted) in a puddle that covers the entire stain and let it sit for at least an hour or two (the longer the better) then hose it off.

 

[coffeeman]

I use liquid laundry detergent. Pour it on (undiluted) in a puddle that covers the entire stain and let it sit for at least an hour or two (the longer the better) then hose it off.

WOW!! Lots of great ideas. I like cat litter and soaps. Gasoline would be knock out. I have a stain already from gas. It didn't darken surface, it made a line around the puddle staining in a circle. Some of the exotic cleaners sound good to. Really lot of info... THANKS ALL!!

I believe Ill try the kitty litter first. Then soap it good . Hose it off . Pressure wash it. See what it does. Next I'll try some of the other things.

I have sort of thought if i get it close to cleared up, might be able to get color stain similar to color mixed in to concrete pour. The actual color was called Buff, a light brown. If close might be applicable concrete stain that might help. Once cleared up as much as possible, I will seal.

Thinking about sealing concrete, I now think there are two reasons for sealing. First, seal concrete to prevent saturation of concrete with water, thus protecting against freeze.
Second,, seal for moisture and seal against leaking from cars, trucks or tractors. Therefore, the sealer has to be able to protect against these things. Obviously, I and my concrete
person failed to take this into consideration. I picture driving into hotel valet where hundreds of cars visit. A local casino here in Pennsylvania has a cobble stone pattern formed with
concrete. Last time I went there it seemed pretty clean. I'm sure over the years oil from busses & cars dropped all over. I gotta find out what they use. Of course there is a
possibility it doesn't look real good, but just never noticed.

Thanks again for posts. Can you believe it..less than a month till Christmas..... Coffee man

 

[k0ua]

Yes the gasoline trick I used to bring up the oil was on bare old gray concrete. I don't know what it would do for a colored concrete. It was also outside, with small amounts, I wouldn't do it in a garage.

 

[nickmags]

Trick I learned in the Air Force was to use a high evaporative solvent like MEK. Pour some on the spot, rub in in with a broom, then pour clay cat litter on the spot. The solvent lifts and dissolves the old dirty oil, and cat litter soaks in right up. Gets about 90% of stain up first try. I have even used gasoline as the solvent, just be very careful, the fumes flow away unseen and are very explosive. No open flames, no smoking, etc.

 

[k0ua]

Trick I learned in the Air Force was to use a high evaporative solvent like MEK. Pour some on the spot, rub in in with a broom, then pour clay cat litter on the spot. The solvent lifts and dissolves the old dirty oil, and cat litter soaks in right up. Gets about 90% of stain up first try. I have even used gasoline as the solvent, just be very careful, the fumes flow away unseen and are very explosive. No open flames, no smoking, etc.

Isn't Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) explosive too?

 

[ovrszd]

Isn't Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) explosive too?

Awwww James,,,,,,, that's trivial.....

 

[CurlyDave]

WOW!! Lots of great ideas. I like cat litter and soaps. Gasoline would be knock out. I have a stain already from gas. It didn't darken surface, it made a line around the puddle staining in a circle. Some of the exotic cleaners sound good to. Really lot of info... THANKS ALL!! ...

Gasoline sometimes will have dyes in it for easy identification.

I have had good success with kitty litter and mineral spirits. Apply both liberally and then pressed the kitty litter with a broom. Keep spreading it around as the mineral spirits dry. Sweep up after they are totally dry, repeat as necessary.

You really need a solvent to get oil out of concrete. Water and detergent are not nearly as effective.

Mineral spirits are flammable so outdoors is best. Do not try this in your garage if there is a gas water heater with a pilot light...

 

[Citydude]

I gave up trying to remove oil stains. I wipe up spills with Krud Cutter and call it good. I now call it patina and not stains. Works for me.

 

[ovrszd]

I gave up trying to remove oil stains. I wipe up spills with Krud Cutter and call it good. I now call it patina and not stains. Works for me.

Me too. Adds character. I soak up the puddle with floor dry and move on.

 

[k0ua]

Mineral spirits are flammable so outdoors is best. Do not try this in your garage if there is a gas water heater with a pilot light...

Mineral spirits are probably a lot less flammable than gasoline, but still.. a KABOOM is possible. :shocked: