[gary sinclair]

Does anyone know of a chemical that will remove oil from block paving without taking the dye out of the blocks?

[Keith_Lalanne]

Gary

Most good alkaline detergents will work - depending on how deep into the block the oil has penetrated.

Try something around ph12 when neat. Pre spray neat and leave to penetrate (10mins) then scrub over with a scrubber drier or single disc machine using a dilute solution of the detergent. Then recover with the scrubber drier or a wet vac. It is important not to create too much foam as you will have difficulty in recovery.

You must recover or the contaminent will sink back into the blocks - worse will spread!

Hope this helps

Keith L-L

[gary sinclair]

Cheers Keith
      The thing is though I dont have any special cleaning equipment other than a power washer. Is what you suggested the only way to do the job?

[Keith_Lalanne]

Gary

A pressure washer will clean the surface (If its a good one!) but you take a chance of driving the contamination deeper. Use lots of detergent if your washer has a chemical pick up - about 5% solution, but make sure that the run-off does'nt get into rain water drains. Far better to use scrubber and/or wet vac. Try HSS tool hire, all kit available from them

Keith[flash

[mark.laycock1@ntlw]

or replace the blocks with new if you can get the same ones

[Ged]

Use a de greaser. tech clean and resiblock do one specifically for getting oil off block. apply with a stiff brush. leave to dwell for the rercommended time. blot off with paper towel, rinse with detergent, pressure wash with turbo, let dry. reapply if nessessary. this is what i do and it works. you can try detergent on it's own and you'll think the stain is gone but when it dries it will still be there faded, and probably spread out more .

Good luck


Ged