How to Remove Tire Shine from a Concrete Driveway

Are unsightly tire marks or tire shine residue on your driveway detracting from your house’s curb appeal?

Whilst tire dressing is great for restoring faded black rubber on your wheels, you don’t necessarily want it on your concrete driveway. Tire scuffs and burnout marks are other common driveway marks that happen when the wheels of a vehicle spin or when it sits on concrete for long periods of time during hot weather. The polymer compounds found in the rubber of the tires are released and stick to the concrete.

The good news is that you can remove tire shine marks and scuffs without needing to strip and reseal your concrete. This step-by-step guide will tell you how to restore your driveway back to its former self, with no oil stains in sight.

Remove Tire Marks from a Concrete Driveway

How to Remove Tire Shine from Concrete Driveway

You will need water, dish soap, a degreaser, a scrub brush and a pair of rubber gloves.

Step 1: remove any debris such as loose dirt, soil and leaves. Then try removing the tire marks with water and a broom or bristle brush. Sometimes water is enough to get rid of any marks on your concrete without the need for any cleaners. Pressure washers should be used with caution as some can damage your driveway if the pressure is too high. Always hold the washer at least 10-15 inches away from the concrete when pressure washing and maintain that distance across the whole area.

Step 2: if water isn’t enough, mix some dish soap with water. Dish soap contains mild degreasing qualities that can help lift tire marks or tire shine from concrete without damaging it. Apply your solution to the area and scrub with a bristle brush. Finish by rinsing thoroughly with water.

Step 3: after trying the above two solutions, choose a commercial degreaser that is designed to remove stains from concrete. Follow the directions on the product and wear the necessary protective items such as rubber gloves.

If you have stubborn tire marks or tire shine residue on your garage floor, follow the same process above to get rid of them.

Top tips on removing tire shine from concrete driveway

  • Treat marks as soon as possible.
  • Avoid using harsh chemicals such as bleach.
  • Test degreasers on a small area of your driveway before using them on the entire surface to check that the formula is suitable for your concrete.
  • Don’t use metal brushes as these can leave scratches and marks on your concrete driveway.
  • Try pouring cat litter on to the stain and let it sit for at least a week. It should absorb the stain.

Is it Possible to Prevent Tire Marks and Tire Shine

Is it Possible to Prevent Tire Marks and Tire Shine?

Proper and regular cleaning of your concrete driveway will help to prevent the build-up that makes tire marks more stubborn and harder to clean. When applying tire shine, always cover the area you’re working on with some pieces of old fabric to protect your driveway.

Some driveways are more prone to tire marks and tire shine marks because of the type of sealer that has been used. The rubber on your tires interacts with sealers differently. For example, an acrylic sealer has a low level of cross-linking, which means it will react strongly with rubber at leave more obvious marks. Resealing your driveway with a polyurethane or epoxy sealer could help prevent future tire marks.  Reapplying sealer at least every two years will keep your driveway looking its best.

Applying tire shine in the right way can help prevent any residue marking your driveway. Follow the steps below for perfect application:

  1. Clean your tires with a suitable cleaning solution to remove dust, dirt and grime.
  2. Dry your tires with a sponge or leave them to air dry.
  3. Follow the instructions on the tire shine product and only use the required amount.
  4. Leave the tire dressing for the recommended amount of time.
  5. Wipe off any excess to prevent it from spilling onto your concrete driveway.

Say Goodbye to Tire Dressing and Tire Marks

Now you know how to get tire marks off driveway, you can keep your concrete driveway stain-free all year round. Small and regular maintenance will help prolong the lifetime from the join date of your concrete and help prevent it from becoming damaged.