HELP!! Tarminator has damaged my paint & grill!!

G

golfdude

New member
So, I decided to buy some Tarminator since my traditional bug and tar remover is almost gone. I used the product as recommended...spray on area and let sit for 2-3 minutes to allow product to penetrated tar. I then wiped off the product with a bug sponge and it quickly did the job. Then, I immediately rinsed the area off. I quickly noticed that after drying the area (the side skirts), there appeared to be stains all over. The stain looks like somebody poored water over the area and let the sun evaportate the water, leaving a water-spot looking stain. I tried a clay bar, AIO, and PB pro polish without removal of the stain. Someone please help suggest a way to remedy this problem...thanks. Here are some pics (Those spots that look like water spots are really the tarminator stains. The front bumper has the same problem, but it was hard to capture and it looks like the product "ran" down the paint):







 
Why didn't you jsut clay in the first place? I know that the spray is easier to use, but it usually comes at a price. Sorry for what has happened!



I dont know about the plastic grill 'repair', other than a new one.
 
I didn't clay first b/c I usually use a bug and tar remover. I usually use turtle wax bug and tar remover and it does the job, it's just slow at doing so. Thanks for the reply...I really want to try to fix the paint problem though...I think the grill is not repairable.
 
xfire said:
So, I decided to buy some Tarminator since my traditional bug and tar remover is almost gone. I used the product as recommended...spray on area and let sit for 2-3 minutes to allow product to penetrated tar. I then wiped off the product with a bug sponge and it quickly did the job. Then, I immediately rinsed the area off. I quickly noticed that after drying the area (the side skirts), there appeared to be stains all over. The stain looks like somebody poored water over the area and let the sun evaportate the water, leaving a water-spot looking stain. I tried a clay bar, AIO, and PB pro polish without removal of the stain. Someone please help suggest a way to remedy this problem...thanks. Here are some pics (Those spots that look like water spots are really the tarminator stains. The front bumper has the same problem, but it was hard to capture and it looks like the product "ran" down the paint):







Click to expand...



For the grill, just get some black trim paint at the auto parts store. Either remove the grill or tape off everything well around it, but you should be able to repair that easily. I've done it to several grills that were faded and not in real good shape and made them look like new. As for the other panel, not sure what to tell you on that if compounding won't help. Maybe some wetsanding will take care of it.
 
Best way to remove bugs is takinga BIG towel, make it wet and pack the front of your vehicle, after a few minutes all bugs and splatter is soaked and can be washed away.

I used this trick way before I there was internet and it still works...
 
3M Adhesive Remover (GriotsGarage.com and others sell it) - it can remove anything on top of your clearcoat without removing the clearcoat itself. It's awesome stuff!
 
Best bug remover that I have found is 4 oz. car wash shampoo mixed in a 32 oz. sprayer.



Spray area and let sit for a few minutes, then wash as normal. Never met a bug it couldn't remove.



Cheap and probably alot easier on the paint.
 
Another reason why when using specific product like this, Spot aplication only. Put the product on a towel, and apply 30 seconds at a time. To tell you the truth... I use the how wet towel method for bugs.. tar paint and all that junk i will clay.



Spray bottles area great convience, but the last thing you want to be doing in ingesting atomized solvents into your lungs. Dab it onto a towel and try the hold for 30 sec, wipe off,hold,wipe off.
 
UPDATE: I sent these pictures to Stoner's and they have immediately worked on trying to find a solution to the problem. They took my situation very seriously and are working on trying to solve the problem. I am happy that the company is so serious with the issue, as they even called me to tell me what they are doing. Today, looking at the areas that I took a picture of, it seems that the spot in the third picture has vanished...but I don't know how it could happen. I have been on the look-out for the stains to reappear, but with the light available it has been difficult to detect them. I hope they have vanished but my grill is stil damaged. I will be waiting for Stoners to get back to me. Heck, it could of been a bad bottle or something! I will wait to see what happens, and I will try the 3M stuff after Stoner gets back to me and the wet towel method in the future. Thanks for the help
 
FYI to all...the grille on the Crossfire is plastic and does not have clearcoat...will the 3M adhesive remover stain the grille? What about mineral spirits or Goo gone??



Secondly, Stoner's finally got hold of a Crossfire grille and have confirmed my results...it does stain the grille. Basically, I just want to warn everyone that this product does stain the Crossfire grille if anyone has one, be carefull. I'll still use Tarminator, but with more caution.
 
ronmart said:
3M Adhesive Remover (GriotsGarage.com and others sell it) - it can remove anything on top of your clearcoat without removing the clearcoat itself. It's awesome stuff!
Click to expand...

Does this work well for hard "baked in" water spots?
 
Bioman said:
Does this work well for hard "baked in" water spots?
Click to expand...



I wish, but no. It is about the only thing it won't work on.



Most baked in water spots are actually very light surface etching to the clear coat, so you have to polish that out.
 
xfire said:
FYI to all...the grille on the Crossfire is plastic and does not have clearcoat...will the 3M adhesive remover stain the grille? What about mineral spirits or Goo gone??



Secondly, Stoner's finally got hold of a Crossfire grille and have confirmed my results...it does stain the grille. Basically, I just want to warn everyone that this product does stain the Crossfire grille if anyone has one, be carefull. I'll still use Tarminator, but with more caution.
Click to expand...



Ouch, that sucks!



I've never had 3M damage anything, and I've used it on a variety of surfaces on multiple cars. Of course, it smells fairly evil so I always clean the area after I use it (or generally use it before a wash). Having something like ONR handy to wipe the area down after you use it is generally a good idea. I wonder if that would have helpd you with Tarminator.
 
bjackson8 said:
Best bug remover that I have found is 4 oz. car wash shampoo mixed in a 32 oz. sprayer.



Spray area and let sit for a few minutes, then wash as normal. Never met a bug it couldn't remove.



Cheap and probably alot easier on the paint.
Click to expand...

Yep, I use NXT car wash soap in mine.



Tarminator is damn good on tar though.



Lorne
 
For the plastic stain, have you tried a wheel or trim dressing? I'm sure that would hide it and make the plastic look better.
 
I'm glad you posted about this. I have a Chrysler and I just bought some Tarminator. You likely saved me some grief.
 
What type of plastic is the grill? Just wondering why tarminator would have stained it. Also, depending on what kind of plastic it is, AIO can do wonders.
 
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