Special offer

Spam prevention
Ambassador
5,254,675
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

I've used muriatic acid in the past and it worked well, Fred. You have to use a really firm steel bristle brush though...and wear your goggles so you don't brush the acid into your eyes!

Good luck!

Jan 17, 2021 10:25 PM
Rainmaker
1,201,652
Doug Dawes
Keller Williams Evolution - 447 Boston Street, Suite #5, Topsfield, MA - Topsfield, MA
Your Personal Realtor®

Good question. I Googled and found this

https://www.concretenetwork.com/fix-concrete-cleaning/

Jan 18, 2021 02:18 AM
Rainmaker
1,323,529
John Juarez
The Medford Real Estate Team - Fremont, CA
ePRO, SRES, GRI, PMN

Sorry about the oil stain left by a visitor, Fred Griffin Tallahassee Real Estate 

It looks like you got some good suggestions. I too, would worry about removing the oil stain only to be presented with a stain from removing the oil stain.

Jan 18, 2021 08:06 AM
Rainmaker
913,568
Jeff Pearl
RE/MAX Distinctive / LIC in VA - Lovettsville, VA
Full Service Full Time Realtor

It can depend on how long it's been there and how deep it's penetrated into the concrete. Acid can eat away the cement if you leave it on too long. You can try Dawn and water to start. if that doesn't do it well enough, this product should work. A poultice will draw the oil up and out in many cases. http://www.diedrichtechnologies.com/architectural-specialty-cleaners/aspir-solv-safe-solvent-cleaner

 

 

Jan 18, 2021 07:46 AM
Rainmaker
5,877,915
Joan Cox
House to Home, Inc. - Denver Real Estate - 720-231-6373 - Denver, CO
Denver Real Estate - Selling One Home at a Time

I was thinking Dawn, but Debe's response is a good one too.

Jan 18, 2021 05:51 AM
Rainmaker
3,416,038
Scott Godzyk
Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH
One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

I had a seller use a bottle of dawn and a power washer. Worked well. 

Jan 18, 2021 05:48 AM
Ambassador
4,718,326
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Luckily I don't have a problem with that since my car does not require oil, but I keep kitty litter around for anyone that drips oil on my driveway.  If I get it on there soon after the drip has been made, the kitty litter absorbs it and doesn't leave behind a stain.

Jan 18, 2021 04:13 AM
Rainmaker
1,048,330
Rocky Dickerson
Realty One Group - Las Vegas, NV
Superior Service!

On an episode of Flip or Flop, Tarek's mom said this (and her process worked):  "So what you do is you put some water on the stain, then you sprinkle your baking soda, and then you get a can of soda pop and you put your soda pop on top of that, and then it's going to fizz up," she tells him.

"Then get a wire brush and use it on the stain. That should work. And if it doesn't work the first time, try it two or three times. Better to try that than having to redo the whole driveway."

Jan 18, 2021 09:03 AM
Rainmaker
5,113,121
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

Hi Fred... I've heard Pinesol is a good cleaning agent.

Jan 18, 2021 08:36 AM
Rainmaker
2,784,726
Richie Alan Naggar
people first...then business Ran Right Realty - Riverside, CA
agent & author

One day instead of oil leakers we will have electric cars thus no more stains

Jan 18, 2021 07:21 AM
Ambassador
6,418,755
Bob Crane
Woodland Management Service / Woodland Real Estate, KW Diversified - Stevens Point, WI
Forestland Experts! 715-204-9671

The search engine on Youtube, or Google would likely be as effective or more than asking AR, however I do see a few good responses here.

Hope you got the stain out Fred.

 

Jan 18, 2021 06:57 AM
Rainmaker
1,847,051
Lyn Sims
Schaumburg, IL
Real Estate Broker Retired

Brian's idea does work & I know that I have seen brush on stuff at Home Depot but have never used it.  You might end up with a clean spot.

Jan 18, 2021 05:42 AM
Rainmaker
921,504
Annette Lawrence , Palm Harbor, FL 727-420-4041
ReMax Realtec Group - Palm Harbor, FL
Making FLORIDA Real Estate EZ

There is no way to remove the stain that does not leave an equally obvious blemish on the surface. That means one needs to plan the remedation with that in mind. A checkerboard pattern of alternating texture could work...or do what 30% are choosing .... PAVERS.
Rather than move folks are investing  $12,000+ in drivway pavers that wrap all the way around the house to the 24x40 rear patio.

 

Jan 18, 2021 05:02 AM
Rainmaker
5,240,031
Wayne Martin
Wayne M Martin - Chicago, IL
Real Estate Broker - Retired

Doug Dawes has you on the right road!

Jan 18, 2021 04:19 AM
Rainmaker
510,664
Joseph Domino 480-390-6011
HomeSmart - Scottsdale, AZ
Real Estate Made Easy

Try a propane torch. It will burn away most of the oil, even the stuff down inside the concrete.

Jan 18, 2021 01:26 PM
Rainmaker
5,772,587
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Fred,

Here is an article I found on line from Auto Zone.  I have also heard that cornstarch absorbs oil.  Wishing you all the best.  A

Jan 18, 2021 10:53 AM
Rainer
420,003
Caroline Gerardo
Licensed in 20 states - Newport Beach, CA
C. G. Barbeau the Loan Lady nmls 324982

Are you certain it is only oil not transmission fluid? Is the driveway on a slope? Where I live I feel it is awful to put chemicals down the sewer drains as our pipes go to the ocean. I would make a little dam with sandbags (can fll with dirt) or old towels first. Big box baking soda, blue dawn soap is first treatment. Cover app the stain with 1/8 inch baking soda. On hands and knees scrub with an old bbq brush or wire brush you will throw away. Scrub and clean with trow away rags. Apply a second time and use the bottle of dawn to make a paste. Scurb again, clean up the now brown paste with rags that are a little damp.  How does it look?  Now it's time for chemicals. Wear pants, rubber boots, goggles. Goof off spray the stains. Allow to sit don't let it dry. I have a presssure washer and it's easy to use - I would use it on wide low setting to not grind off the top of the concrete. Keep tip about a foot away.  Let the driveway dry out to see how it looks. Go back over with power washer on all the driveway. Rust I got a different idea. They can seal the driveway with a garden sprayer or big wide paint roller.  Don't let people park on it for two days.  

Jan 18, 2021 10:32 AM
Rainmaker
1,506,163
Ryan Huggins - Thousand Oaks, CA
https://HugginsHomes.com - Thousand Oaks, CA
Residential Real Estate and Investment Properties

Time and heavy rains were the only thing that's worked for me.  Tried the acid and wire brush like Debe Maxwell, CRS mentioned, even tried specialty driveway cleaners. Nada.

Jan 18, 2021 08:44 AM
Ambassador
3,349,554
Kathleen Daniels, Probate & Trust Specialist
KD Realty - 408.972.1822 - San Jose, CA
Probate Real Estate Services

Gosh, Fred Griffin Tallahassee Real Estate - I am sorry the visitor (1) parked in the driveway and (2) left their calling card - dripping oil. 

I would Google it and find a solution that works best for you.

Jan 18, 2021 08:33 AM
Rainmaker
1,153,794
Kevin J. May
Florida Supreme Realty - Hobe Sound, FL
Serving the Treasure & Paradise Coasts of Florida

A paste made up of water and laundry detergent can work miracles sometimes and it doesn't damage the concrete. Firm brush bristles should be able to reach into the nooks & crannies. Old toothbrushes work well for smaller stains. Let it set in for an hour or so before rinsing. Good luck! 

Jan 19, 2021 01:52 PM