black oil

Janet wender
by Janet wender
Is there anything that will take black oil off of the driveway.
  15 answers
  • Designs by BSB Designs by BSB on Oct 21, 2012
    heavy stuff out with "oil dry" from any auto store and then get the stuff that is down deep with brake cleaner (drench an old rag). ive heard some say Coca cola works.. but I have no testimony to say
  • Janet wender Janet wender on Oct 21, 2012
    Thank you I'll try this
  • 3po3 3po3 on Oct 21, 2012
    I've seen other folks on Hometalk also recommend "OIL EATER," which is available at Costco. I can't vouch for it. Just passing on the info.
  • You do not want to put any brake cleaner on an asphalt driveway, If you have cement perhaps, but not on asphalt. It will eat it. Same thing goes using gas as well. We used kitty litter to soak up wet, then used a strong detergent mix with super hot water and a scrub brush on our old driveway, then rinsed using a hot water spray or steam unit if you can get your hands on one. Just please no one tell me to use vinegar for this. lol
  • Posh Patios Posh Patios on Oct 22, 2012
    I use to have a sealcoating business in college....hot water with tide worked well. Keep rinsing. Soak with kitty litter then do the tide. Has the driveway been sealed?
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Oct 22, 2012
    You may also want to have a mechanic look at your car to FIX the oil leak...otherwise this will continue to be an issue
  • ACME Powerwash ACME Powerwash on Oct 22, 2012
    Is it concrete? We clean oil off of concrete driveways all the time and results are always varied. Sometimes the oil comes out completely, other times all the greasy stuff comes off the top, but leaves behind a "shadow" that will lighten over time or will require several cleanings. We use a chemical degreaser, brushed in lightly with a broom, then hit it with high-pressure steam using our industrial, hot-water pressure washers. Using chemicals and steam typically yields the best results, because it helps break down the oil and pull it out of the concrete pores.
  • Janet wender Janet wender on Oct 22, 2012
    Thanks you all for the help. It's not my car that left the oil marks. I've used kitty liter to soak up oil but it'still has stains. It is blacktop not concrete. Glad you mentioned about the brake cleaner eating up asphalt. I will try the other options and let you know how it goes. I can always have it seal coated again..correct? I see people out with paint rollers painting their driveways, always looks so good. That would cover the grease spots...correct? I moved into the house last July and fixing it up I have no idea if the driveway has been seal. It looks fine everywhere else so I'm assuming it has been.
  • The seal coating will hide the marks, but you really need to clean the drive well and work on using a good cleaner before you reapply any sealing agent. The seal coating is really not much different then paint as it seals and coats over the surface it is being applied to. However, like paint its ability to last requires real good prep work. Otherwise you will find that it will begin to peel. If your doing you own seal coating. Few tips. Wear clothes that you plan in throwing out. Wear gloves and old shoes that you no longer want. This stuff is messy and even with the best intents, you will end up getting some on you. A good rubber spreader along with a disposable roller and long pole as well as a old or low cost paint brush is required. Follow directions well and the results will be fine. when I have done this in the past, I power washed the entire drive the day before the using a strong leaf blower blew off the driveway and the surrounding lawn to prevent leaves from getting stuck in the fresh application. If you need to stop, do so by leaving a jagged edge so when you begin once again, you do not see the sharp edge where you stopped.
  • Janet wender Janet wender on Oct 22, 2012
    thank you so much...I'm just crazy enough to try this myself.
  • It is not hard, just a bit time consuming. The buckets are also a bit on the heavy side, but other then that it is really not that hard to do. Take photos and show off your work when your done! This will show people just how easy it really is to do things yourself!
  • Pavescapes Pavescapes on Oct 22, 2012
    you could use tar and rubber remover, I think it can be bought from technoseal website or anyone that sells pavers will have it.
  • Pavescapes, would not the tar and rubber remover also soften the asphalt driveway? As it consists of a tar base. I can see this being used perhaps on a stone or cement drive or walkway, but do not see this on asphalt. Or did I miss something?
  • KMS Woodworks KMS Woodworks on Oct 23, 2012
    I agree.... any tar removal product should not be used on asphalt.
  • Karen Jarman Karen Jarman on Apr 12, 2015
    Try half & half mixture dawn dishwashing liquid & peroxide. I have a fire pit and get soot on my clothes all time. Spray soot areas until soaked, throw in washer & wa-laaa! Good luck!