How to Remove Motor Oil from Pavers

It happens even to those of us who are the most careful with our pavers—we park a vehicle on our new driveway and end up with an ugly oil spill right in the middle of our lovely hardscape. It’s a little scary—after all, you spent good money on those pavers! Is it possible to undo the damage done by leaked motor oil? How can we eliminate the ugly stain and have like-new pavers again?

This article provides a simple, step-by-step process for removing leaked or spilled motor oil from your pavers.

It’s not difficult, and you’ll find peace of mind for keeping your pavers clean in the future. The removal process only requires a couple of hours and a few essential tools.

1. Apply Surebond Oil Extractor on the Pavers

To remove the oil spill from your pavers, apply Surebond Oil Extractor all over the stain first. You can purchase the oil extractor at most hardware stores, such as Lowe’s or Home Depot.

Pour the liquid liberally into the spot(s) of oil you need to remove. Ensure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the bottle, as the oil extractor is a potent concoction.

2. Scrub the oil stain to Remove the Oil

The second step to removing the motor oil stain from your hardscape is to vigorously scrub all over the spilled motor oil spot(s). You should use a handheld brush for minor stains, or a large, rough bristle brush with a handle for larger oil spills.

3. Let sit for 30 minutes

The third step in removing a motor oil spill from your hardscape is to sit back and do nothing! Let the Surebond Oil Extractor do its job in pulling the oil out of the pavers. It will soak in and separate the oil from the concrete.

If the stain is in direct sunlight, you’ll want to provide shade so that the harsh sun does not change the effectiveness or evaporate the oil extractor.

4. Rinse brick pavers with hot water

The next step in removing the motor oil from your pavers is to rinse it with boiling water. Pour hot water onto the stain, where you applied the oil extractor. Scrub the pavers as you are rinsing.

Don’t be afraid to be rough and to scrub hard! You want to make sure you get the stain out of the hardscape.

5. Repeat or enjoy your clean pavers

Did the process remove the oil from your pavers? If not, repeat the procedure one or more times to continue lifting the oil out of the concrete. Be sure to put some elbow grease into it, and don’t be afraid to be intense with your scrubbing. The oil should eventually come totally out of your pavers.

If the first time was all that the pavers needed, simply enjoy your freshly maintained pavers!

Plan your next paver project

We have a free resource if you’re ready to start your next paver project. Download our free Project Planning Guide to find out how to plan and execute a successful DIY hardscape effectively.