Spilled Oil-Based Stain on Concrete Patio - Clean Up Tips?

[Jandrews]

I had a pretty full gallon can of oil-based deck stain sitting on my concrete patio. Somehow, it got knocked over and the lid opened enough to spill a LARGE amount of the oil and pigment onto my patio. Yes, I should never have left it there, as this was COMPLETELY avoidable!!

I noticed it when I got home from work tonight, and am guessing it had been there for approximately 24 hours. I didn't know exactly what to do, but since it was oil-based deck stain, my first thought was to apply some mineral spirits, and brush it with a stiff nylon bristle brush. That seemed to do almost nothing! This is a LARGE spill....like 2 oblong sections that are 6'-8' x 2'!!

After the mineral spirits, I tried a pressure washer. This seemed to just blast the top layer of oil off the surface, but the massive oil colored stain remained.

Then, as a last resort, I tried some gasoline on a small test area to see it that would cut it. Again, almost nothing.

So, now I have these two HUGE oil stains on my patio. Is there any hope, or am I stuck with it? Since the can wasn't stirred, there is really no color stain, just the oil. It looks like I poured about 3 quarts of valvoline on my patio, and it won't budge!!

Any surefire cleaning techniques? Is it crazy to think about pouring a clearish oil on the rest of the patio to try to get it to match? What is a rough going rate to have a concrete patio poured, figure 10' x 20'?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

JA

[billybek]

It is probably so deep from sitting so long that it will be tough to touch it.
I guess the question is do you like the colour enough to do the rest of the patio like the spill?

[stomachmonkey]

Well if it's "clean" oil it may eventually bleach out. How much sun do you get an how strong is it?

Not a crazy idea to just dump some more to get it too match.

I think I'd live with it, stain it or paint it before I tore it up and re-poured unless it's in bad shape all around.

[RWebb]

there is a product made from kaolinite (high-class clay) that you can spread on there like putty

concrete is porous so the oil is down deep - that clay stuff will help suck it out - note: "help" - not fer sure

you might want to call a contractor that does concrete etch staining -- they might be able to help

it all depends on how much you care...

[gr8fl4porsche]

Even if you stain the entire patio, the spill spot most likely will be visible.

You can stain the patio darker than the spot but also will likely be visible.

You could consider an overlay of some type. Lots of cool designs can be stamped into an overlay.

[EarlyPorsche]

You may need some microbes from the Gulf. They work quick.

[azasadny]

Our neighbor had a similar problem on his front porch and he installed ceramic tile over the concrete and it looks great. It's been at least 10 years now and it still looks as good as it did the day he installed it.

[daepp]

Simple Green works well. And auto parts stores sell a neutralizer that works ok. And then there's just time...

[Joeaksa]

Spray brake cleaner works well but this may have been sitting too long...

[Heel n Toe]

I would give oxalic acid a try... might work, might not, but I think it would be worth a go.

Oxalic Acid, wood bleach,marble polish,rust stain remover

[Eric Coffey]

Scrub entire surface with muriatic acid and stiff brush/broom. This will etch the concrete. Then, rinse off, let dry, and apply stain/coating of choice. In other words, it's highly unlikely that you will get it back to it's original state. The DIY stain/coating is probably your best bet. Or, if you don't mind spending a lot more money, hire a pro to do it. They will probably use a concrete grinder and offer a better selection of surface colors/textures/styles.

[jyl]

I like the tile idea - would look nicer anyway. It is a DIY job. If you have someone color stain the concrete, could try for a mottled look to disguise the original stain. My patio is that way, looks good, though I think they applied the color when the concrete was poured.

[DARISC]

An electrician I hired had a diesel truck that leaked really black, viscous, nasty oil/ grease in a puddle in my driveway. He said don't worry, he'd be back and clean it up and i'd never know it was there; yeah, right.

So a week passes with that mess sitting in the sun soaking into the concrete and I call him. He's a couple blocks away on his way to my house; yeah right.

But he arrives in a couple minutes, grabs a half gallon can of WD40 out of his truck and pours the whole can slowly over the stain (it was actually more than a stain - it was thick), tells me give it an hour or so then spray it off using my garden hose; yeah right.

You're kidding me right? I ask him. Nahh. You'll never know it was there he said then left.

So I hose it off after an hour - completely off. You'd never know it was there!

WD40 - who'da thunk?

[Wilywilly]

Best way is take some oil absorbment or kitty litter and rub it and grind it in real good with the flat side of a brick. You can cover a sq yard in about 15 to 20 minutes and never know that oil was spilled.

[mikeatfhc]

I've had good luck with Jasco concrete stain cleaner. Apply it per the can directions, then cover it in kitty litter. Use a lot. If you get it early enough it works well, after that it does lighten the stain.

[89911]

I had a similar problem on my garage floor. When it was finished and they were still working in the garage, they had tar paper over it to protect it while it was curing. Some how the spilled some kerosene from a space heater on it and it soaked into my brand new floor. Nothing worked to remove it. I ended up etching the hell out of it and staining it which mostly hid the stain. Bare concrete isn't much to look at anyway. Concrete makes an excellent sub-floor for some natural stone tile.

[Jandrews]

Appreciate all the comments.

I spoke with Sherwin Williams today, which by the way happens to be the brand of stain that was spilled. I asked them for tips to clean it up, and they said that I should try paint stripper. Hmmm...I hadn't thought of that. I will give it a shot, but thought I would run that by you guys for any thoughts as well.

So at this point, my attempts to address this will be in order:

1) Try the paint stripper
2) Try some WD40
3) Try some brake/carb cleaner
4) If ideas 1-3 do not work, experiment in some small areas with various kinds of oil to see if I can get anything to "match"
5) Look into a stamped concrete "overlay"
6) If 5 is cost-prohibitive, try to talk myself into living with it.

JA

[1990C4S]

Use WD-40 or varsol and cover it with plastic for a few days. Then rinse with water.

[Joe Bob]

kitty litter.....grind it in with your boots....

[DARISC]

Review posts #13 & #18 - easy peasey.