Key Takeaways for AU Homeowners:
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Don't Seal over Oil: Sealer cannot bond to grease. Use a professional-grade degreaser first.
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PSI Matters: Too low won't clean; too high (over 3,500 PSI) can etch and damage your concrete.
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The "Clean-to-Seal" Gap: Professional cleaning is only 50% of the job; sealing is what prevents the stains from returning next month.
How to Save Your Driveway
In the world of Australian home maintenance, we often see driveways that look beyond saving—covered in old oil leaks, tyre marks, and orange clay stains. Most homeowners think they need to resurface or replace the slab. In reality, you just have a "Prep Gap."
1. The Power of the Degreaser: Removing the "Bond Breakers"
The biggest mistake in DIY sealing is skipping the degreaser. Concrete is porous; it sucks up oil from your car and grease from the BBQ like a sponge. If you apply a sealer over these spots, the sealer will "float" on the oil and peel off within weeks.
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The Solution: Use an industrial-grade alkaline degreaser (like our SiF Surface Prep formula) and hot water to pull those hydrocarbons out of the pores before you even touch the pressure washer.
2. High-Pressure Cleaning: The 2,500 PSI Sweet Spot
For standard Australian concrete driveways, the goal is to "open the pores" without scarring the surface.
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Residential Concrete: 2,500–3,000 PSI is ideal.
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Pavers or Old Asphalt: Drop down to 1,500–2,000 PSI to avoid dislodging joint sand or pitting the surface.
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Pro Tip: Use a circular surface cleaner attachment rather than a single wand tip to avoid "tiger stripes" or uneven wand marks.
3. Efflorescence and Acid Etching
If you see white, chalky powder on your concrete, that’s salt (efflorescence). Standard washing won't fix it. A light acid wash is often required to neutralise the salts and ensure the sealer has a clean, open surface to "grab" onto.
Ready for a fresh start? SiF Sealers AU provides the full "Clean and Seal" package, ensuring your prep work is as scientific as our sealer technology.
