Prep June 22, 2025 4 min read
How to Remove Oil Stains From a Driveway Before Sealing
Oil and gas stains prevent sealer from bonding properly. Here's how we prep stained driveways in Barrie before applying sealcoat.
Why oil stains matter
Sealer needs a clean, dry surface to bond. Oil and gasoline stains repel asphalt-based sealcoat and cause fish-eyes, peeling, and bald spots in the finish.
DIY removal — what works
- Cat litter or absorbent powder — covers fresh stains, soaks up oil
- Degreaser + stiff brush — for set-in stains, scrub with hot water
- Dish soap + baking soda paste — light surface stains
- Pressure wash — finishes the prep, removes residue
What we do on Barrie sealing jobs
On every job, we:
- Inspect for oil/gas stains
- Apply commercial-grade degreaser and scrub
- Spot-prime stubborn stains with an asphalt primer
- Allow full dry time before any sealer goes down
When stains can't be removed
Deep, soaked-in oil patches sometimes need a primer coat or even spot patching before sealcoat. We'll point these out during the quote.
Bottom line
Don't worry if your driveway has oil stains — most can be cleaned and sealed over. We handle the prep on every Barrie and Simcoe County job.
Need a hand?
Get a free quote from Positano Protection
Premium driveway sealing, hot rubber crack filling, and asphalt repair across Barrie & Simcoe County.