How to Recoat a Concrete Driveway to Cover Oil Spots

Use a power washer along with a concrete degreaser to wash as much oil stain off your driveway as possible. Wash from the top of the driveway down to the street, using a back and forth motion to force dirty water downward away from cleaned areas. Make a second pass down the driveway with water only to remove the degreaser residue. Wait four hours for the concrete to dry.

Roll a layer of epoxy bonding adhesive over the driveway, applying with a low-nap paint roller with an extension pole. Overlap each row with the roller by about 2 inches as you apply adhesive from the top of the driveway down toward the street. The surface is ready for use when the adhesive loses the wet look yet is still sticky to the touch.

Use a hoe and wheelbarrow to mix a large batch of polymer-modified cement rated with a PSI that’s the same or higher than your current driveway. Dump in the cement mix, then add water, folding the dry mix over the water until you’ve added the manufacturer’s recommended amount. The mix should be smooth and spreadable.

Have a helper scoop the overlay onto the driveway’s surface, beginning at the top. Spread the overlay evenly over the surface with a squeegee, leveling it out to about an inch in thickness. Use a trowel to make the mix even smoother. Wait two hours for the overlay to firm in place.

Cut expansion lines through the firm overlay with the trowel. Place the lines at the same locations as the originals. You can find the originals by looking at the side of the driveway. Make the expansion lines 1/4 inch deep into the overlay.

Create a broom texture in the overlay by brushing a broom across the new surface. Use random brushings to avoid creating a pattern. Give the concrete another 24 hours to cure.

Cover the new surface with concrete sealant spray. Spray from top to bottom, covering the driveway evenly to prevent water stains from developing. Wait another 48 hours before using the overlay surface.