The age old question: How do I get oil off the driveway!?

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 29 Jun 2011, 23:33

Time to solve this one once and for all! Google turns up too many results, many of which I have tried and failed.

Many cars spend a few nights on my driveway, and it always seems to be the french ones that leave a little present behind. The BX was the first to offend, and since then there's been quite a few more contributions including LDS making for a pretty unsightly driveway - all the more reason to keep it covered with cars

Anyway... the reason I am looking for a solution is that I brought the Laguna V6 to a friends house last week, where it will be staying for a good while. I checked underneath it today and it has left two black spots on his brand new driveway. I have put a small basin underneath the car from now on to catch anything else but I need to remove these stains before he sees them and torches the Lag.

When the BX first offended, I tried cat litter, washing powder and pepsi - very popular google results. But has anyone ever found a way of completely getting rid of oil spots!?

I look forward to your replies!

Deanxm · Unread post by **Deanxm** » 29 Jun 2011, 23:39

Hi Luke

Jim recomended some stuff to me after the xm pas return line ruptured nd dumped 5ltrs of lhm all down the drive. I bought it and it worked well, poured it on neat, scrubbed then rinsed away, needed to do it twice but it was good, my brother pinched what was left and that was a about a year ago.

damn it, i cant remember what its called

, it was brand name though

Jim will know

D

Toby_HDi · Unread post by **Toby_HDi** » 29 Jun 2011, 23:44

Deanxm wrote:Hi Luke

Jim recomended some stuff to me after the xm pas return line ruptured nd dumped 5ltrs of lhm all down the drive. I bought it and it worked well, poured it on neat, scrubbed then rinsed away, needed to do it twice but it was good, my brother pinched what was left and that was a about a year ago.

damn it, i cant remember what its called , it was brand name though

Jim will know

D

How long between the LHM dumping onto the driveway and you using this stuff?

The road outside is covered in oil stains and it really is unsightly. I've tried a few suggested methods but nothing will touch it. Problem is, they have been there for months.

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 29 Jun 2011, 23:47

What is the driveway surface in question ? Tarmac, paver's, concrete ?

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 29 Jun 2011, 23:47

Gunk sell a driveway cleaner, alternatively I find that acid works a treat, just don't tell your friend what you're using

Another suggestion is hand cleaner as that is used to remove oil and grease from hands so it should do the job but it does take some effort getting it into the surface material.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 29 Jun 2011, 23:49

Toby_HDi wrote:The road outside is covered in oil stains and it really is unsightly. I've tried a few suggested methods but nothing will touch it. Problem is, they have been there for months.

Get an old car battery and spill the contents on the surface, that will clean it up.

R9UKE · Unread post by **R9UKE** » 30 Jun 2011, 00:02

HDI wrote:What is the driveway surface in question ? Tarmac, paver's, concrete ?

Paving stones. Quite light colours, look pretty permeable. Nightmare.

Thanks for the replies, it's nice to hear some real experiences. I'm off to buy some Gunk Driveway cleaner tomorrow

citronut · Unread post by **citronut** » 30 Jun 2011, 08:00

dont use battery acid on tarmac

,

someone once told me to use cement powder, but again what works on one surface/and type of fluid spill might not on another,

i find just water and a stiff broom works with citro blood (LHM) as long as its not left for a long time to dry into the surface,

regards malcolm

Citroening · Unread post by **Citroening** » 30 Jun 2011, 16:32

It'll get to the point when you don't mind anymore about petrol/oil/anti-freeze/LHM stains - you should see at the back of ours on the tarmac...!

It's difficult to catch all the water when you're taking the rad out of a 'dead' CX that's flat on the floor - well, that's my excuse anyway and I'm sticking to it!

My mum isn't that pleased about it though, so I just park cars over the biggest areas to disguise it!

Clogzz · Unread post by **Clogzz** » 30 Jun 2011, 17:11

Always used petrol to clean oil stains.
Pour or sprinkle on the stains, let work in for a few minutes, then squirt out with the garden hose.

DickieG · Unread post by **DickieG** » 30 Jun 2011, 17:21

Petrol dissolves asphalt, I found that out when I had an XJ12 and drained one of its tanks, I still have the hole in the driveway ramp to prove it

robert_e_smart · Unread post by **robert_e_smart** » 30 Jun 2011, 17:27

LHM soon absorbs into the concrete and you never see it. Only some cars are allowed over to the house, all others must stay in the yard where the tractor leaves trails as to where it has been.

I remember during the snow I had no problems finding my parking space as there was a nice bit of green snow under where the pressure regulator sat!

HDI · Unread post by **HDI** » 30 Jun 2011, 18:12

On pavers or concrete cover the stain in oil absorbent granules then pour petrol into that, leave for 10 mins and brush off. Repeat as required.
Works best in warm conditions.

Unread post by **myglaren** » 30 Jun 2011, 18:48

Unread post by **CitroJim** » 30 Jun 2011, 19:02

Deanxm wrote: Jim recomended some stuff to me

Yep. Swarfega Oil and Grease Remover. Comes in a red can from your favourite DIY stores.

It looks like yellow cream and works a treat.

I do mine when it gets bad but it never stays clean for long. You can guarantee that as soon as it's done a dirty job comes along...

LHM is not a real problem as it fades away in concrete quite quickly. Old engine oil is the one that makes terrible stains, especially old diesel oil...