Login Register

Proven method to remove an engine oil stain on a cement driveway

Help, Advice, Owners' Discussion and DIY Tutorials on Volvo's stylish, distinctive P2 platform cars sold as model years 2001-2007 (North American market year designations).

2001 - 2007 V70
2001 - 2004 V70 XC (Cross Country)
2004 - 2007 XC70 (Cross Country)
2001 - 2009 S60
2003 - 2007 S60 R
2004 - 2007 V70 R

Post Reply
User avatar
Krons
Posts: 1068
Joined: 9 January 2022
Year and Model: 08S60 05XC90 02S60
Location: Des Moines, IA
Has thanked: 193 times
Been thanked: 202 times

Re: Proven method to remove an engine oil stain on a cement driveway

Post by Krons »

cn90 wrote: 12 Mar 2024, 09:42 Try Purple Power...

But again, I minimize the use of chemical if I can to avoid
polluting this planet.

Most of the time, DW soap, some water and the sun works...
/\ this/\
I’ve had success with a concoction of dish soap and simple green (or purple power) and a stiff bristle brush. Lots of soak time, repeat scrubbing, soak and repeat. Eventually it’ll pull the oil out of the concrete.
08 S602.5T/05 XC902.5T/02 S602.4T
08 C702.5T (sold)
05 S402.4i (RIP, timing belt failure)
The non-Swedes:
25 Mazda MX-5 / 17 Frontier Pro-4X / 17 Ford Focus
17 R1200GS / 15 Versys 1000 / 11 DR-Z400S / 07 R1200GSA

wahiddd
Posts: 25
Joined: 1 January 2017
Year and Model: 2001 S40 2.0T
Location: Kuala Lumpur

Post by wahiddd »

I had the same issue not too long ago, and I tried everything to get rid of it. Pour-N-Restore, DW soap, OxyClean. But nothing worked. Eventually, I tried pressure washing. Although it seems the most obvious method, I left it as the last one, and it's the only that did the job. I don't have a pressure washer, so I called a local service, Pressure Washing Oahu. Fast and effective results. In about half an hour, the whole driveway was clean, and not even a trace of that oil stain.
Last edited by wahiddd on 29 Mar 2024, 07:36, edited 2 times in total.

User avatar
jonesg
Posts: 3501
Joined: 16 January 2008
Year and Model: 2004 V70
Location: Northern maine.
Has thanked: 69 times
Been thanked: 479 times

Post by jonesg »

baking powder and solvent mixed into a paste (same as K2R)
spread it on, let it dry out a bit and hit it with a heat gun to boil the oil into the baking powder, sweep it away.
Works good on wood too.

User avatar
abscate
MVS Moderator
Posts: 35267
Joined: 17 February 2013
Year and Model: 99: V70s S70s,05 V70
Location: Port Jefferson Long Island NY
Has thanked: 1497 times
Been thanked: 3809 times

Post by abscate »

Buy more Volvos and park over the stain
Empty Nester
A Captain in a Sea of Estrogen
1999-V70-T5M56 2005-V70-M56 1999-S70 VW T4 XC90-in-Red
Link to Maintenance record thread

vtl
Posts: 4723
Joined: 16 August 2012
Year and Model: 2005 XC70
Location: Boston
Has thanked: 114 times
Been thanked: 603 times

Post by vtl »

abscate wrote: 14 Mar 2024, 02:56 Buy more Volvos and park over the stain
He has to drain them first and perhaps wrap water oil tight.

NoraSilas
Posts: 1
Joined: 5 December 2025
Year and Model: 2012 S60
Location: United states

Post by NoraSilas »

Hi, I understand your pain! I also had big oil stains on my cement driveway, and it was really hard to remove completely. One thing I found helpful is using a strong degreaser and letting it sit, then scrubbing with a stiff brush. Also, if anyone needs help with planning or repair costs for driveways like this, there are companies providing concrete estimating services in USA that can give accurate estimates before starting cleaning or resurfacing.

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post