Wife pissed, stains in concrete, need help...

[Heinz55]

So, while completing epic brake overhaul, I managed to spill brake fluid on the front concrete walkway up to the house (right by the front porch and entry door).

Anybody have any ideas on how to remove this oil splotch? Time and money not a concern (except of course for ripping up and replacing)

Thanks for any and all advice

['63GENIII]

Foamy Engine Brite (engine degreaser) has worked well for me. Takes a couple of applications and some elbow grease (I know more grease is the last thing you need right now), but it works well for me. I spray and let soak a couple time before I scrub and hit with the water. Pressure washer works well if you have one too!

[geezer#99]

I tried a bunch of different chemicals to use as a stripper but in the end some quality time with my pressure washer did the trick.

[Warrens69GMC]

Dollar store oven cleaner followed by purple power degreaser

[Mike Bradbury]

Power wash first to get the majority of residue out (not too much direct pressure because it will dig a hole in the concrete). The swirling turbo nozzle works best. Then start with a 50/50 mix of Muriatic acid (for pools) and let it bubble for a minute then wash it off, but not into your flower bed. If you let it go too long you will have a clean spot. It is a good idea to have some soda ash around to neutralize the acid before washing down. If it is not cutting the oil the try a stronger mix with a Stainless Steel wire brush to agitate. If you are concerned about environmentalist giving you a hassle, then neutralize with soda ash first and suck up in a shop vac and dispose of in the sink in your garage. Sewer gets treated, storm drain does not.

If you do not want to mess with acid then Brake cleaner wil do and ok job to get the stain off the concrete but all it does is lift it out of the pores of the crete, if you don't soak it up right away it will settle again somewhere else.

In either case make sure the concrete is watered down first before applying chemicals.

[Wheelie]

muratic acid if all else fails.

[dwcsr]

Move the trailer and rebrick the walk

[msgross]

just deny that the stain exists... "it's a shadow honey"

second the degreaser followed with muratic acid if that didn't work...

[RootBeer 6117]

Large diamond ring solves a lot of martial issues.

[tommys69/454]

Originally Posted by RootBeer 6117

Large diamond ring solves a lot of martial issues.

funny but soooooo true lmao

[ol_skool_chevy]

I have used muratic acid Many times...it works GREAT.....and cheap...

[Heinz55]

Thanks for all the quick responses. Headed outside to deal with the issue now.

[Maxxd07]

Coke will remove oil stains from concrete. (The soda kind not the other)

[LEEVON]

Lots of good suggestions here but you won't believe how good electronics cleaner (in an aerosol can) is for this. I grabbed a can one time thinking it was carb cleaner and hit a small oil spot in the driveway, it completely dissipated. Now I keep one on hand for fluid spots, a small squirt and sometimes a quick hit with the wire brush and they're gone!

It works I promise!

[sgtusmc]

Originally Posted by Maxxd07

Coke will remove oil stains from concrete. (The soda kind not the other)

hahahaha!!!! I've also had great luck with muratic acid (it can be found at Home Depot or Lowes by the swimming pool stuff)

[2ndGenRR]

Not too environmentally friendly, but I have had excellent success with carb cleaner.

[RLTW375]

Originally Posted by dwcsr

Move the trailer and rebrick the walk

[wigadore]

I agree with Maxxd07. When I have an deposit of oil or any other vehicle fluid I lay some kitty litter on the area and pour Coke on it. Give it some time to eat away and the kitty litter to absorb and all I have to do is sweep it up.

[enick72]

Originally Posted by wheelie

muratic acid if all else fails.

x2

[american lead]

sunlight powder detergent and water

[Houston54]

If that is all she is pissed about consider yourself lucky.
Leave the stain in place as it may divert her attentions from something more serious.

[Liz]

curious to see what he gets it cleaned with. I've never used more than the pressure washer and or bleach on ours.

[blitz'd]

Pour grease on the rest of it, stained concrete is in right now!

[motornut]

around the pool on oil marks,I wet area then i use pool clorine and a push broom to work it it in a paste,let it sit.blast it off.but this will leave clean marks so do the whole area,hope it's not too big

around the pool i would normally clean it with just high pressure (wand bout 1 inch off deck)and water. you can remove quite a bit of normal dirt,leaving a good gritty,grippy surface

but a few years ago it was covered with a rubber rock,chewed up and coloured rubber trowled like cement
and spray nine works to get oil outa cloths.....spray both sides.let sit a bit.wash

[355bullet]

it only hurts once, she'll forgive ya...lol! good luck cleaning