Driveway Pressure Washing

[Thermobrett]

Good Morning
Has anyone ever acid washed their driveway to get it super white? I have a 3500psi pressure washer and a big circular surface cleaner attachment and can get the majority of the dirt and grime off the concrete. I was thinking of doing a pre soak muriatic acid/water mix and trying that. I do the drive sidewalk and curb about every three months, but it’s just not as white and nice as I think it could be.

many suggestions on what to use is greatly appreciated.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Good Morning
Has anyone ever acid washed their driveway to get it super white? I have a 3500psi pressure washer and a big circular surface cleaner attachment and can get the majority of the dirt and grime off the concrete. I was thinking of doing a pre soak muriatic acid/water mix and trying that. I do the drive sidewalk and curb about every three months, but it’s just not as white and nice as I think it could be.

many suggestions on what to use is greatly appreciated.

Be careful with the acid… Everything I’ve read said it’s a great way to get the driveway clean, just be careful with the strength of the acid. The pressure washer you are using should do a great job as well

 

[Sean R]

Every 3 months, damn you don't mess around. ?

 

[Thermobrett]

Be careful with the acid… Everything I’ve read said it’s a great way to get the driveway clean, just be careful with the strength of the acid. The pressure washer you are using should do a great job as well

Agreed. My experience tells me a driveway soap is a waste of money as the dirt and grime isn’t so much on the surface as it’s actually stained the concrete. I have seen a 1 part acid to 2 parts water in a watering can and pre soak before pressure washing. Maybe I add a little outdoor bleach to the concoction as well?

 

[Thermobrett]

Every 3 months, damn you don't mess around. ?

The HOA likes to remind us when they feel we are ready to do some outdoor cleaning…

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Agreed. My experience tells me a driveway soap is a waste of money as the dirt and grime isn’t so much on the surface as it’s actually stained the concrete. I have seen a 1 part acid to 2 parts water in a watering can and pre soak before pressure washing. Maybe I add a little outdoor bleach to the concoction as well?

Be very very very careful about mixing chemicals like acid and bleach together.…or any household cleaners for that matter, my intuition tells me no on mixing those two together, use one or the other with no intermixing. I can’t remember which two chemicals / household cleaners, but mixing them creates phosgene gas which I believe is mustard gas. There was a story just this last year about a cleaning lady who died as the result of mixing household cleaners and inhaling the vapors. I don’t mean to be dramatic…but it is dangerous.

 

[Thermobrett]

Be very very very careful about mixing chemicals like acid and bleach together.…or any household cleaners for that matter, my intuition tells me no on mixing those two together, use one or the other with no intermixing. I can’t remember which two chemicals / household cleaners, but mixing them creates phosgene gas which I believe is mustard gas. There was a story just this last year about a cleaning lady who died as the result of mixing household cleaners and inhaling the vapors. I don’t mean to be dramatic…but it is dangerous.

Good advice. I will give the acid/water a shot this time and if no success in what I’m looking for, I will do the bleach and water next go around.
I think the chemicals you don’t want to mix together is ammonia and bleach. I believe this was a common cleaning product mixture back in the 50s but could be wrong.

 

[Thermobrett]

2 gallons of water to 1/2 gallon of acid.
pre soak the concrete, let sit 15 min.
1 pass with my surface attachment.

 

[mark_m]

Go with Zep toilet bowl cleaner (to get some stick) and mix with muratic acid. 50/50. Be careful with the acid, not good for skin, eyes or lungs. However it is very effective. Note that the muratic acid can etch concrete. This mix I sprayed off after it sat on the gelcoat for about 10mins with pressure washer.

You could also look at oxalic acid which is not as noxious, but you may need more elbow grease.

edit: added photo. Get at Home Depot

 

[Thermobrett]

Go with Zep toilet bowl cleaner (to get some stick) and mix with muratic acid. 50/50. Be careful with the acid, not good for skin, eyes or lungs. However it is very effective. Note that the muratic acid can etch concrete. This mix I sprayed off after it sat on the gelcoat for about 10mins with pressure washer.

You could also look at oxalic acid which is not as noxious, but you may need more elbow grease.

edit: added photo. Get at Home Depot

Thanks for the info and advice!

 

[TimW451]

Have you looked into coating your driveway? I don’t know if it is the same as epoxy coating used on a garage floor, but it seems popular in some places in Florida.

 

[eastcoaster]

I use a product called 30 Second Cleaner. Spray on with a pressure sprayer and let sit for a few minutes, Then use a pressure washer to rinse off. Way easier than just using the pressure washer. This product is amazing.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

No acid needed. Use straight pool chlorine or a 80/20water mix apply with a pump sprayer. Acid is good for rust removal.

 

[tabbibus]

As a lung doc, all I can think about is those chemicals aerosolized when you pressure wash and damaging the lungs! Be careful. I'm quite sure there is a safe way to do it

 

[jocolo21]

Just seal it with sea n loc you will not find a better sealer i even used it on my summer kitchen SEALER.. dont mind the bike look at the paver it will make the concrete to apear to be wet.