Removing bitumen paint from patio

[Rupster]

Can anyone recommend how to remove bitumen paint from a patio? I just have a couple of splashes that need removing.

Thanks.

you could try paint-brush cleaner. It contains both a solvent and a detergent to help scrub it off with water.

The problem with a solvent alone is that it will dissolve the bitumen and cause it to sink deeper into the absorbent material, so scrape away as much as you can, cold, with an old knife or a decorator's scraper, and test on a small patch first.

I fear you will always have brown marks remaining.

Something like this?
www.homebase.co.uk/polycell-brush-cleaner-500ml_p085220

Is white spirit just a solvent?

Thanks.

yes

white spirit is just a solvent

Polyclens/polycell brush cleaner (blue) contains a detergent as well so you can wash away with water (it also contains white spirit). You'll need to wash your paving with water afterwards to get rid of the oily mark.

Rags and tissues should be wetted with water and tied into a plastic bag for disposal, as they are flammable (or you can use them for starting barbies and bonfires)

That's great. Thank you.

Like the guy above said try and get off what you can first. We use solvent (acetone) for this sort of problem but if we run out we use UPVC cleaner. Like acetone it's much more volatile so dissolves stuff better. If you absorb the dirty solvent into tissue after scrubbing you are much less likely to leave any stains.

This is the stuff. It's only £3.50 a litre if you have a Toolstation near you but it's available elsewhere. www.toolstation.com/shop/p31464

Thanks Kitchenguy.

Following PigletJohn's advice, because I didn't have any suitable cleaner at home, I decided to ask the roofing guy (who spilled the bitumen in the first place) back to clean it off.

He came back promptly and used some kind of circular spinning tool to get it off. I didn't see whether he used anything else, but it all came off :-)