We have an asphalt driveway that is about 6-7 years old that we had sealed about two years ago. It is in pretty good condition overall but a few months ago my wife's car leaked oil all over one spot of it. I meant to address it right away but got busy and forgot about. I'm trying to get the stain out now but with no success. I scrubbing it with a hard bristle brush with dish liquid and water and then baking soda but neither worked. I've read that oven cleaner might work but am concerned that may damage the asphalt. I was also considering buying a bucket of sealer and just sealing over it. Any recommendations?
I'd seal it and be done...asphalt is oil based, so it won't hurt a thing...I've had cars leaking on mine for 28 years now, no issues other than a greasy spot to walk around when the car is not there. If you don't want to seal it (I would since it wasn't done last year) dump some clay kitty litter on the spot and crush it into dust...leave it there for a day or two then sweep it off, see what that does for it...
I would be real careful using a pressure washer on blacktop. I have seen a pressure washer take a chunk out of concrete when trying to get rid of an oil stain.. Heaven know what kind of damage could be done on blacktop.
I had my driveway completely replaced fall of 2014 and never had it sealed. The underside of my Explorer dripped the salt protection oiling on my asphalt driveway a couple of years ago (the only time I've done that). You could see a perfect outline of where I normally part the vehicle. I just left it figuring asphalt contains pretty much the same ingredients. It eventually either washed out from rain/snow or distributed itself evenly thru the asphalt.
