Tire marks on concrete driveways seem as ubiquitous in most neighborhoods as the joyful sound of chirping birds.
Yet, as common as tire-marked driveways may be, they can make your home’s exterior appear dirty and neglected, reducing your home’s curve appeal and value in the long run.
Although removing tire marks from your concrete driveway may seem simple enough, it can be challenging.
But with the right tools and cleaners, you can make your job easier. Here, we discuss how to get tire marks off concrete driveways.
How Tire Marks End Up on Concrete Driveways
Most tires are made of ‘synthetic rubber alternatives’ or ‘plasticizers,’ such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), which gives them flexibility and improves traction.
As you drive around town, tires heat up, which softens and expands them. When a parked car’s tires cool down, the plasticizers leach out. This is called ‘plasticizer migration.’
Because tire plasticizers, such as SBR, are petroleum-based, the best tire mark cleaners are oil removers and degreasers.
Read more: Top Cleaning Products To Use When Cleaning A Septic Tank
How to Remove Tire Marks Off Concrete Driveway
Follow this step-by-step guide to remove tire marks from your concrete driveway and bring back your home’s curb appeal.
1. Gather Your Supplies
You’ll need:
- Degreaser
- High-quality stiff straw scrub brush
- Power washer, hose with sprayer nozzle
- Rubber gloves (optional)
2. Remove Dirt and Debris
Get rid of any loose debris or dirt from the driveway using a broom or blower, along with any items that could get damaged.
If some items cannot be moved, cover them and any nearby delicate plants to protect them.
3. Apply Degreaser
From this point on, it is highly recommended to use rubber gloves.
Gently pour the concrete degreaser onto black tire marks and scuffs and allow it to sit for thirty minutes.
Saturate the tire marks and do not allow them to dry. Re-apply degreaser as needed to keep the area thoroughly covered and wet.
During especially hot or windy days keep a close eye on the degreaser application to prevent it from drying and work during the coolest part of the day.
4. Scrub the Degreaser
While waiting for the thirty-minute soaking time, scrub the degreaser with a high-quality stiff straw scrub brush several times to move it around.
No need to scrub aggressively at this point.
5. After 30-Minute Soak
Vigorously scrub those black pesky marks with the stiff scrub brush. You can also use a floor buffing machine with a scrubbing pad to get the job done.
6. Degreaser Reapplication
Apply more degreaser to the tire marks and allow it to soak for a few minutes.
Scrub the degreaser one last time. The tire marks should come off with little effort at this point.
7. Wash it Off
With clean water, wash off the degreaser from the concrete driveway utilizing a power washer or hose with a sprayer nozzle.
Your concrete driveway should be as good as new!
Some Tips Before Removing Tire Marks Off Concrete Driveway
This how-to guide is not meant for extreme or concentrated tire marks created by commercial vehicles. In such a case, stronger chemicals, such as Xylene, may be necessary.
Additionally, degreasers can easily strip concrete sealers, especially with repeated use. Therefore, do not use degreasers on sealed concrete unless you intend to re-seal it.
Final Thoughts on How to Get Tire Marks Off Concrete Driveways
Tire marks on concrete are unsightly and can reduce your home’s curb appeal.
Removing those pesky black marks from your concrete driveway may be more challenging than you think, but it is not impossible.
With the right tools, products, and know-how, your concrete driveway can be restored to its original, pristine condition.
Sources:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/chemistry/plasticizer
https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/plasticizer-migration
https://www.concretecamouflage.com/how_to_remove_tire_marks_from_concrete.cfm
