Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: JohnM on 24 May 2009, 21:14:36

Title: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: JohnM on 24 May 2009, 21:14:36
with old oil.

Had a bit of a to-do with the oil filter the other weekend - a weekend of showers and rain and soaked tools and aborted jobs and a wet back and a pain in the neck and a burnt arm - you get the idea.

In short, made a bit of a mess is an understatement. 

So, how to remove oil from an old tarmac driveway.  I've done two detergent cleans - the first seemed to get it all off (plenty of brown foam to wash away).  But days later could still see some, so a second clean and presure wash.  Lovely sunshine this weekend, oily spodges visible on the drive.

Are there any quick fixes?  If you were to drop some oil, what would you use (on tarmac)?  Nothing too strong, I don't want the drive any worse (old petrol spills seem quite caustic even if rinsed afterwards).
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: Omega man 2 on 24 May 2009, 21:20:44
Might be a bit extreme, but the best way I've gotten rid of oil is to pour a bit of petrol on it and light it. Serious.
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: Andy B on 24 May 2009, 21:22:10
Quote
with old oil.

Had a bit of a to-do with the oil filter the other weekend - a weekend of showers and rain and soaked tools and aborted jobs and a wet back and a pain in the neck and a burnt arm - you get the idea.

In short, made a bit of a mess is an understatement. 

So, how to remove oil from an old tarmac driveway.  I've done two detergent cleans - the first seemed to get it all off (plenty of brown foam to wash away).  But days later could still see some, so a second clean and presure wash.  Lovely sunshine this weekend, oily spodges visible on the drive.

Are there any quick fixes?  If you were to drop some oil, what would you use (on tarmac)?  Nothing too strong, I don't want the drive any worse (old petrol spills seem quite caustic even if rinsed afterwards).

Gunk does a path clean not sure about the tarmac though  :-/  :y  :y
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 24 May 2009, 21:26:13
some thinner ,alcohol then hot detergent water.. :y

Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: Ghost on 24 May 2009, 21:52:32
Coca Cola also gets rid of stubben stains belive it or not but only coca cola not the imitation stuff, it also cleans a lot of other stuff like jewelery.
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: Jimbob on 24 May 2009, 21:55:09
Not just the stain I'd be worried about, oil softens tarmac :(

How much you spilt?
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: JohnM on 25 May 2009, 17:40:25
Quote
Might be a bit extreme, but the best way I've gotten rid of oil is to pour a bit of petrol on it and light it. Serious.
NO, this is tarmac it's on.

JB Yes oil softens it further hence my keeness to remove it all - though not as fast as petrol.

How much; well put it this way, I had lots of space left in the 5L container I used to take all my recovered old oil.

I think I've removed a lot/most of it, but I'm left with a splodge/stain I'd be happier removed.

Cem what thinners?  I've real white spirit in the garage.  No real alcohol but meths, detergent okay (even if I have to use it from the kitchen).

No magic juice then.
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: crazyjoetavola on 25 May 2009, 18:17:34
Quote
with old oil.

Had a bit of a to-do with the oil filter the other weekend - a weekend of showers and rain and soaked tools and aborted jobs and a wet back and a pain in the neck and a burnt arm - you get the idea.

In short, made a bit of a mess is an understatement. 

So, how to remove oil from an old tarmac driveway.  I've done two detergent cleans - the first seemed to get it all off (plenty of brown foam to wash away).  But days later could still see some, so a second clean and presure wash.  Lovely sunshine this weekend, oily spodges visible on the drive.

Are there any quick fixes?  If you were to drop some oil, what would you use (on tarmac)?  Nothing too strong, I don't want the drive any worse (old petrol spills seem quite caustic even if rinsed afterwards).


Providing the surface is dry John, any viscous liquid can by dealt with more readily by applying a dry medium on the stain.  In the absence of fullers earth cement powder has quite good qualities of absorbtion.

The surface must be dry however and after sweeping up, well rinsed with water :y
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: Andy B on 25 May 2009, 18:19:21
Quote
....
 any viscous liquid can by dealt with more readily by applying a dry medium on the stain.  In the absence of fullers earth cement powder has quite good qualities of absorbtion.

 .....


or cat litter!  ;)  ;)  ;)  ;) :y
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: cem_devecioglu on 25 May 2009, 18:23:16
Quote
Quote
Might be a bit extreme, but the best way I've gotten rid of oil is to pour a bit of petrol on it and light it. Serious.
NO, this is tarmac it's on.

JB Yes oil softens it further hence my keeness to remove it all - though not as fast as petrol.

How much; well put it this way, I had lots of space left in the 5L container I used to take all my recovered old oil.

I think I've removed a lot/most of it, but I'm left with a splodge/stain I'd be happier removed.

Cem what thinners?  I've real white spirit in the garage.  No real alcohol but meths, detergent okay (even if I have to use it from the kitchen).

No magic juice then.

thinners that are used in paint or used to clean paint..

as I'm a petroleum engineer this was the original order that we used to clean crude oil in lab.. :y
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: crazyjoetavola on 25 May 2009, 18:27:14
Quote
Quote
....
 any viscous liquid can by dealt with more readily by applying a dry medium on the stain.  In the absence of fullers earth cement powder has quite good qualities of absorbtion.

 .....


or cat litter!  ;)  ;)  ;)  ;) :y


Now you're cookin' Andy :y :y
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: M0T0RVATE on 25 May 2009, 19:05:14
When I had an oil disaster, I threw washing powder on it, then scrubbed it, and rinsed it away...
Cleaned the spillage twice and it seemed to work OK...

 :) :y
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: Andy B on 25 May 2009, 20:13:26
Quote
When I had an oil disaster, I threw washing powder on it,  .......


Can't do that in this house, our Ariel comes in tablets.  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: M0T0RVATE on 31 May 2009, 10:02:31
Quote
Quote
When I had an oil disaster, I threw washing powder on it,  .......


Can't do that in this house, our Ariel comes in tablets.  ;D  ;D  ;D  ;D


 ;D ;D ;D ;D :y
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: Ken T on 31 May 2009, 17:48:52
would Swarfega be any good ?. Its very good at getting oil of my hands, it seems to attach itself to the oil particles.

Ken
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: nick v6 on 31 May 2009, 17:52:03
pure orange juice
i'm sure that gets oil stains off
have to give it a it of a scrub
Title: Re: Made a bit of a mess
Post by: JohnM on 08 June 2009, 20:20:01
Taa all - sorry for the delayed reply, been working away etc.

Didn't try the orange (prefer to drink it).

Absorbent power (found a little cement) seems to have made a reasonable fist of it.  Some marks left but a whole lot better.

- must take more care next time.