Removing Stubborn Oil from Block Paving

[Jetheat]

I've had some car oil sitting on my block pavers for a long time, so it's probably stuck on properly.

I've tried a number of things to remove the oil including...

Bleach
Patio power
White spirit
Cillit bang spray
Astonish oven cleaner
Cillit bang crystals tub
Vanish
De solve it

None of them worked.

Anyone knows a guaranteed way to remove the oil?

JH

 

[Ian H]

Replace the blocks?

I think it soaks in so trying to wash it off would be like trying to clean off a tattoo.

 

[Jetheat]

Replace the blocks?

I think it soaks in so trying to wash it off would be like trying to clean off a tattoo.

Yes, that is what I thought. I was just wondering if it may be cheaper to clean it off first.

 

[Tigercubrider]

On "salvage hunters" the guy used something on a wooden table that had been used as a workbench to draw the oil out. Might work with stone?
I have a feeling that it was oxalic acid but can't be sure

On wood it was remarkable

 

[Jetheat]

yeah, Oxalic is purely made for wood types. I don't know how effective it would be on block paving.

 

[Nozzle]

Bleach
Patio power
White spirit
Cillit bang spray
Astonish oven cleaner
Cillit bang crystals tub
Vanish
De solve it

Not many of those things are actually solvents of oil - only the white spirit. If that didn't work, followed by a detergent like washing-up liquid of engine degreaser, then try petrol. (Then detergent).

Nozzle

 

[DaveHerns]

Petrol first to dissolve the oil, degreaser to make it soluble in water, washing up liquid, scrub with a brush and pressure wash. On second thoughts probably easier to replace the slabs....

 

[Burnerman]

Try traffic film remover from motor factors.....applied neat and then washed off, works remarkably well.
John

 

[CortinaV8]

I used a blowtorch recently to remove the oil staining from my block pavers. Keep the flame moving, don't concentrate it in one area too long.

Very effective, but stinks.

 

[phil parker]

Can you turn the pavers over?

 

[JohnD]

paraffin will soften it, and is not such a fire risk as petrol. It is also slower to evaporate, so will carry on working longer.

You can get oil patch removers at places like Halfords, including one branded Gunk. Don't buy their "original" engine degreaser in the metal tin, get the water-miscible detergent "Driveway Cleaner" in the plastic container. I brush it on repeatedly with a stiff nylon brush; rinse off with hosepipe, repeat. Maybe do it each time you wash the car and have the hose out.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...earch&storeId=10001&catalogId=10151&langId=-1

 

[Notch7]

An angle grinder is very effrctive

............it has one slight disadvantage though