Gunk, or the like. Where do you use them, and how do you prevent the runoff from destroying the driveway, killing the grass or getting into the storm sewers?

My engine looks like it's been dipped in dirty oil. The entire front end is coated in it. It makes working on everything a greasy mess. I'd like to clean it, but I'd also like to keep my fairly new driveway from being dissolved. Do I lay down tarps and try to keep it off the pavement as much as possible? Hose it down and hope for the best?

How bad is the runoff, and is it going to leave the flower beds as toxic wastelands? A little grass on the edges killed off is not a big deal. Large swaths of nothing will grow here bare ground is not.

BTW, using a self-serve car wash is a huge no-no. They all have posted signs, and I know that they will kick you out for it. Local garages want upwards of $100 bucks to do it.

So, what do you guys do?

 

Have you considered a steam cleaner? Nothing toxic except what comes off the car. It'd be very dirty though, but you'd also be holding a steam cleaner to clean the driveway once you're finished.

 

I've always done it at the DIY car wash place.
That water goes into sewage sewers so it's safe. I've never seen any stupid posted signs like that. Must be a blue state thing.

 

Great idea. Anyone have any recommendations for a cheap pressure washer/steam cleaner?

 

I'd look into renting one. I won't pretend to know anything about pressure washers, they're all over the place in price and quality. But once you add steam, I think they universally get fairly expensive. I'd love to own one, but I'd try renting first, see how you like it. I've also heard they do wonders for small nooks and crannys, like where the front and rear bumper meet the body.

 

Re: steam cleaner, see: Jeffbucc's build thread. I believe he posted links.

I haven't found a chemical cleaner/degreaser that's worth a damn since the 90's. :(

 

Brake cleaner works, but it'll take the paint off a lot of stuff too.

--Ian

 

He did. For a unit that costs about $800. Some further discussion on the $140 model that someone else inquired about.

I have a couple earmarked on ebay. I'll post results if I decide to actually get one. Meanwhile, wife is seeing about renting one locally.

 

POR-15 Cleaner Degreaser

http://qr.absolutecoatings.com/QR-as...eCleanInfo.pdf

-does not destroy driveway at all, as long as you hose it all off before the water dries leaving the hydrocarbons behind. and if you do, just apply more cleaner and clean it off.

-killing grass, untested as i have always had rock yards, but it is marketed as being biodegradable... not that that means anything

-storm sewers? dont know, did i mention its biodegradable?


my primary reason for por15 zealotry is that it is the ONLY degreaser i have ever found that actually decreases. when i discovered this stuff i was looking for something that would dissolve 2 stroke dirtbike spooge other than solvents like brake clean. it is still the only non solvent based cleaner i have come across that will cut burned 2 stroke oil. and air filter oil at that. all the other brands, like purple power would just bead up like water on oil. useless.

its now all i use. even for the stuff that autozone brand degreaser would cut, like engine oil slime, this stuff breaks it quicker and with less agitation. you can dilute it A LOT before it looses its potency which is really nice. also you can paint after its use(what is was actually invented for), unlike some others that leave residue and dont play nice with paint.

 

I've used Meguiars Safe D-Greaser but it tends to be pretty harsh on paint and such.