Oil stains on concrete

[Nasty]

What is the best way to get rid of 20 year old oil stains on a carport? Can it be done? Looking to paint the carport and cover up the nasty stains. Any ideas?

[FF_T_Warren]

coat the whole thing with oil. then ya cant see the stains.

[fishinpox]

power washer muratic acid??

[Deerfarmer]

Muratic acid is the best. Spray on and let soak, then pressure wash. Just don't get it on you. You must own a Chevy to have oil leaks LOL.

[booyagasha]

Mean green should do it..let soak in mean and pressure wash

[iron man]

Chevrolets don't leak oil. Dodges and Fords spew them. Thats why I drive a GMC

[LPfishnTIM]

They all leak oil! especially when the rear main starts to leak!

[rainy_day]

Don't use muratic acid it will eat the concrete and acid does not cut oil anyway. I ruined a carpot with muratic acid

[PUREBAY2200]

Paint the floor black.... Problem solved

[outcast]

If you use any type of acid for cleaning it needs to be neutralized or it will continue to eat your concrete up. You can mix baking soda and water to neutralize the muratic acid

[copperbass]

Bought some "Driveway Cleaner" (barnd name) to use on a 1920's house driveway /garage floor. Oil & dirt was built up so thick I scraped up chuncks to get down to the concrete, sprayed the "Driveway Cleaner" and let it set over night and preasure washed the next day...did a supper job of clenaing then applied an epoxy garage floor paint...looks like new..

[Salty]

Originally Posted by Nasty

What is the best way to get rid of 20 year old oil stains on a carport? Can it be done? Looking to paint the carport and cover up the nasty stains. Any ideas?

Quint, you're wastin' your time using muratic acid and the only way you're gonna remove it with a pressure washer is to remove concrete. Since the stain is so old, this may not work, but, I've seen it work many times. Buy a gallon of mineral spirits (paint thinner). Soak the stain good and let it sit. It's best if the sun can hit it. Do it over and over and, even though the stain is old, you will start to see a difference. When it dries up...wet it again.
If you put a finish over that oil stain...I promise you it will not stay. Paint will peel and stain will not penetrate.

Good luck.

[iron man]

Originally Posted by LPfishnTIM

They all leak oil! especially when the rear main starts to leak!

mhm. speaking of which. I need to change all fluids.

[LPfishnTIM]

Originally Posted by Salty

Quint, you're wastin' your time using muratic acid and the only way you're gonna remove it with a pressure washer is to remove concrete. Since the stain is so old, this may not work, but, I've seen it work many times. Buy a gallon of mineral spirits (paint thinner). Soak the stain good and let it sit. It's best if the sun can hit it. Do it over and over and, even though the stain is old, you will start to see a difference. When it dries up...wet it again.
If you put a finish over that oil stain...I promise you it will not stay. Paint will peel and stain will not penetrate.

Good luck.

this is true, motor oil won't break down with a water base, or acid, a solvent will have to be used to break it down.