oil spill cleaning

Submitted: Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 21:36

ThreadID: 46466 Views:1591 Replies:6 FollowUps:2

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Member - Tonester (VIC)

Hi all.

I have a little Excel runabout, and it had one major hemorrhage the other day. The rear main seal went, and it was an oil gusher all over the street and driveway.

Whats the best way to clean it up?

I had always used detergent, but I hear petrol works well. What about burning it off even???

Suggestions?

Tone

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Reply By: Member - stefan P (NSW) - Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 21:50

Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 21:50

I had an oil filter blow off my motor and deposit 5lt of oil on my drive way, cleaned up the bulk with sand.....got the stain off with an industrial degreser from bunnings.....about $25 for 5lt, didn't dilute it just used it neat, two applications with some scrubbing with a stiff bristle broom removed all traces of the oil. And that was soot soaked diesel oil so something like that should work ok for you.

Cheers Stefan

AnswerID: 245797

Reply By: anleky - Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 22:05

Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 22:05

Cheap Kitty Litter is good for getting the bulk of it which can be swept up and 'disposed of thoughtfully'.

Don't know about the stain.

Wouldn't recommend the burn off method.

AnswerID: 245798

Follow Up By: guzzi - Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 22:41

Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 22:41

I worked on dhc4 caribous in the raaf for 10 years.
Big radial engines with around 200 places for each engine to leak oil, which they did.
Kitty litter is your friend plus Id go with the degreaser undiluted for the stain cleanup and a stiff wire brush. The secret is to mop it up quickly before it really gets in.oops too late eh. put a good amount of straight degreaser on, scrub like hell with the brush and then cover with a 25mm layer of kitty litter, give it 20mins and sweep off, repeat as nessessary.
Dont burn it off, it upsets the neighboures and council workers and wont do the bitumen any good either. Speaking of bitumen it doesnt like petrol, diesel or white spirits as a degreaser.

FollowupID: 506805

Follow Up By: guzzi - Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 22:43

Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 22:43

OOPPs That should be a stiff brissle brush not wire.

FollowupID: 506806

Reply By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 22:35

Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 22:35

I normally use washing detergent eg surf, coldpower, then hit it with a degreaser I get from supercheap C10 dilute to suit your needs. Regards Steve M

AnswerID: 245800

Reply By: Member - Roger B (VIC) - Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 23:08

Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 23:08

If it's on a concrete driveway, after all the above, a liberal sprinkle of cement powder, and a good sweep.

AnswerID: 245805

Reply By: DIO - Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 23:20

Saturday, Jun 09, 2007 at 23:20

Go to your nearest $2 shop, get 3 - 4 cans of degreaser ($1.95 - $2.25 or so) saturate area with it, soak for a while then hose off. Should do the job. If really bad you might need to use a stiff bristle broom to help remove it.

AnswerID: 245807