Concrete cleaner

[TexasR.N.]

Howdy All,
Having now fixed my oil cooler leak, and my leaking fuel pump I would like to clean my drive way up. One of my neighbors asked me if the Exxon Valdez had done a drive by.
I have access to a pressure washer and now just need to see what y'all are using and what works best. Home depot and Lowe's had a variety of stuff but I don't want to shell out money for a product that doesn't get the job done the first time.
Thanks,
Craig

[MrJohnWayne]

if you can get a pressure washer that has a water heater it will clean it pretty well with no other chemicals. Hot water does amazing things. If not hot water than i'm not really sure. never used any kinda of chemicals..

[Albie30]

I ve tried everything I can find. I ve only been able lighten it up

[orangesbc383]

I dont know what kind of products your local home depot sells but I use to work for the major supplier of their concrete, bonsal aka sakrete they have a concrete cleaner that workes wonders!!! just follow the directions on the bottle, as for the quick crete brand I dont know. hope that helps!!

[rankroddin250]

even tho this isnt the most enviro friendly method... dump strait gasoline on it and then dump floor dry (oil absorb) <this kitty litter lookin stuff> on it and let it sit for a day then sweep the floor dry up... its worked for me on several ocasionas. a coupel hours before before i sweep mine up i like to grind the oil absorb into a powder with my boots. just dont track it into your house.

[Mudcrazed]

Has anyone tried Muratic acid? I used to have a chem teacher at the U of Miami that raved about the stuff for cleaning his concrete driveway. If I recall correctly he would dillute it slightly. Don't know if he had oil on it though! I would start with striaght pressure and see where I got.

[TexasR.N.]

Thanks for the input fellas.
Craig

[rankroddin250]

now for a more enviro friendly aproach I would get some simple green concentrate and dump it on the oil stains and scrub it in with an old broom that can be thrown away then powerwash it and see how that does.

my gas idea has always left me with a prety white drive way when used tho

[sevenmalards]

Hi,
I'm a General and Concrete Contractor. DON'T USE MURATIC ACID!!! It weakens the top layer of the concrete, and then the "fines" will start to sluff off. Even if you poured a neutralizing solution on it right away, the damage will already have been done. As concrete is extremely porous it absorbs the muratic acid ectremely fast.

My best advice would be to look in the local phone book and find your local supplier that specializes in concrete colors, materials, stamps, etc and go there and talk to someone at the counter. There are a HUGE number of products that work great, and their WORST cleaner will be better than Home Depot or Lowes BEST cleaner.

If your just looking at getting up the grease and oil residue sprinkle the area with water squirt DAWN dish soap on it, and scrub the crap out of it with a very stiff bushbroom then pressure wash it to rinse.
The discolored area from the oil etc.. will always be there unless you re color your driveway.

[lilredpowerstroke]

Originally Posted by HappeetxnR.N.

Howdy All,
Having now fixed my oil cooler leak, and my leaking fuel pump I would like to clean my drive way up. One of my neighbors asked me if the Exxon Valdez had done a drive by.

Tell him no it didnt and if your driveway is a pain for him to look at then he can come and clean it for you.