Tried and tested way to remove power steering oil from granite block driveway?

QrizB

There are specific products for cleaning oil stains from driveways.

Here's one:

https://www.thompsonsltd.co.uk/product/Gunk-6830-Driveway-Cleaner-1-Litre-Single/GNK_6830

I've never used that particular product but I've used GUNK branded engine degreaser for more than 40 years and it works well.

Eldi_Dos

WIAWSNB said:

Eldi_Dos said:

Whenever any engine oil gets on the block paviours in our parking area's I just visit the grit bin at the bottom of the road and bring back a bucket of grit. This I use to create a dam round the stain then pour bleach onto offending area,leave for a while then more bleach,once dried in just brush up the grit and dispose of.
The area might look a bit "clean" compared to other area's but it soon weathers in, especially at this time of year.

Bleach clears oil?

Engine oil that has dropped off a sump yeah, seems to break it down, as I say patch that is left can stand out  but soon weathers in once oil is away.
Best to use that thick bleach rather than watery version.

GDB2222

Are the paving blocks the same top and bottom? If so, turn them over. Job done.

diveunderthebonnet

WIAWSNB said:

Anyone know if power-steering oil is similar base to normal oil?

Yes but when we sold Ford tractors it was red in colour ,when my last car leaked engine oil on the block paving i blasted it with the pressure washer AFTER scrubbing it with washing up liquid and a scrubbing brush , took most of it out but over time it has faded so you cannot see it now.

WIAWSNB

GDB, I suspect the paves are flatter on their undersides, but don't know. The upper surface was surprisingly coarse, which I hadn't realised until I had a close look.
The guy, the builder of our extension, laid the drive himself*, and is expecting to have to replace the stained ones. The problem is, he has spares of the wider size, but not of the thinner, and they cannot be obtained individually. He's also toying with swapping them with those in a less conspicuous area, but I know their existence would still annoy him!
The stains are dark, so looked like old engine oil, but I had a look under his van and found the drip was red - only steering fluid was that colour (2013 Peugeot Partner - I cockily lifted his bonnet telling him it would have electric power assist...) What seems to have happened is, the leaking PS fluid collected normal engine dirt on its way to dripping off - hence the dark stains. A local garage cleaned up the van's underside for him, and said it should now be fine as they thought it was old drips from overspill, but there's clearly some fresh dripping.
Thanks dutb - yes, it was ID'd by being red. I was thinking about pressure washing, and should have asked if he'd tried this. I was hoping to have an idea to solvent it first, tho', and then jet it away.

* Stupidly immaculate - paves sliced to microns!

Slinky

We used this on our brand new drive when a poorly fitted oil filter dripped clean oil on it.  It did the trick

https://www.diy.com/departments/ot8-oil-remover-for-driveway-block-paving-and-concrete-500ml-powerful-biological-cleaning-solution/0710270520725_BQ.prd?&&&&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21001176640&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9czHBhCyARIsAFZlN8SCiGcG-2tFSNx0zb4-dPTpsg4SO1kqAbayha-LNkBs827CotRjwMUaAjvcEALw_wcB

WIAWSNB

Slinky said:

We used this on our brand new drive when a poorly fitted oil filter dripped clean oil on it.  It did the trick

https://www.diy.com/departments/ot8-oil-remover-for-driveway-block-paving-and-concrete-500ml-powerful-biological-cleaning-solution/0710270520725_BQ.prd?&&&&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21001176640&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9czHBhCyARIsAFZlN8SCiGcG-2tFSNx0zb4-dPTpsg4SO1kqAbayha-LNkBs827CotRjwMUaAjvcEALw_wcB

Wow. Interesting. Thank you.

Grenage

grumpy_codger said:

Acetone is used widely for degreasing and removing fat spots (combined with loads of absorbing tissue).

Also, it's worth trying white spirit or petrol.

Worth mentioning that I'm pretty sure it's illegal to use white spirit or petrol in a manner where it can soak into the soil.

Swipe

I spilt red power steering fluid on my concrete garage floor. I used neat Fairy liquid and a few splashes of water and worked with a stiff brush and it worked a treat.