Cleaning rust off asphalt driveway

[Gustav129]

Hello Econdron, we use muriatic acid on our sidewalks and surfaces around our swimming pool, it works very well also. You can generally buy it in 1 gallon plastic jugs and cut it with a little bit of water, spread it around, scrub a bit with a push broom, and then rinse it off. Good luck and best regards, Allan

I second Muriatic Acid. Especially for Concrete. I also used it in a pool environment, back when I built and remodeled Gunite/plaster pools in Eastern Washington. I used it to acid wash plaster, and to acid wash decking around pools.

[KitCarson3]

I was wondering what worked too as I have the same problem. Did find this info:

"Acids will make a mess of asphalt so you want to stay away from them as a stain lifter ..."

https://cleaning.tips.net/T006569_Re...Driveways.html

[Bonzoo]

Geebus Moohammed Wally. Lets re-invent oxygen ! $25 Go buy a bucket
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Latex-ite...3066/100479155

[Kelvin]

I was wondering what worked too as I have the same problem. Did find this info:

"Acids will make a mess of asphalt so you want to stay away from them as a stain lifter ..."

https://cleaning.tips.net/T006569_Re...Driveways.html

I seriously doubt that "acids will make a mess of asphalt." Asphalt is essentially like an oil or wax, which means that a base (or alkaline chemical) might attack it (like lye attacks fats/oils) but not an acid. That's why acid containers are often made out of plastic (which like asphalt is made from petroleum).

[KitCarson3]

Thanks. a detail from organic chemistry that I'd forgotten!

I seriously doubt that "acids will make a mess of asphalt." Asphalt is essentially like an oil or wax, which means that a base (or alkaline chemical) might attack it (like lye attacks fats/oils) but not an acid. That's why acid containers are often made out of plastic (which like asphalt is made from petroleum).