Brad B
New member
Tell me what you have had experiences with.
Tarminator? EF Tar Remover? Xenit?
(wow, my 900th post):bounce
Tarminator? EF Tar Remover? Xenit?
(wow, my 900th post):bounce
I am buying a Tar Remover....help me!
- Thread starter Brad B
- Start date
imported_Page
New member
Brad,
I have used several products. I will try and give you the low down on each, and then you can judge for yourself.
I used Tarminator about a week ago to try and remove some bug resiude and a few tar spots from my front bumper. I had heard very good things about the product. However, I personally was not thrilled with the results.
I sprayed a light coat of Tarminator on the bumper, then waited at least 5 to 6 minutes to allow the solvent to work. I then wiped off with a micro-fiber towel. The tar and bugs were very hard to remove. I then applied a second coat, waited, and applied another thin coat just before I wiped. Still, bug and tar resiude remained.
I then tried Blue Magic Bug and Tar remover. Now, I know that this is probably not a "high-end" product. I planned to use the Auto Int ABC product the next day, and apply a coat of AIO, so I was not extremely worried about leaving the Blue Magic residue on the car for very long.
Blue Magic is a thick blue gel. I applied it again with a micro-fiber towel. Wiped it on, let it set for about 2 minutes. Wiped off, all the bug residue and tar was removed. The surface was smooth, and slick. I am sure the chemicals are stronger, and you may not be interested, but I found it to work better than Tarminator.
I have tried Xenit on some tar spots on the inside wheel wells. Xenit worked well on these tar balls, the spots came right off the wells. I am not sure why it worked better than Tarminator. Both products have a strong citrus smell. I really think Tarminator may be a "watered down" version of Xenit. Xenit works, but has a warning on the label that it is a strong solvent and to avoid using on certain plastics, to spot test it etc. So again, not sure if you want to use this on your paint or not.
I hope this helps Brad. Man, normally you are the fellow recommending products! I am glad I can return the favor.
SJ
I have used several products. I will try and give you the low down on each, and then you can judge for yourself.
I used Tarminator about a week ago to try and remove some bug resiude and a few tar spots from my front bumper. I had heard very good things about the product. However, I personally was not thrilled with the results.
I sprayed a light coat of Tarminator on the bumper, then waited at least 5 to 6 minutes to allow the solvent to work. I then wiped off with a micro-fiber towel. The tar and bugs were very hard to remove. I then applied a second coat, waited, and applied another thin coat just before I wiped. Still, bug and tar resiude remained.
I then tried Blue Magic Bug and Tar remover. Now, I know that this is probably not a "high-end" product. I planned to use the Auto Int ABC product the next day, and apply a coat of AIO, so I was not extremely worried about leaving the Blue Magic residue on the car for very long.
Blue Magic is a thick blue gel. I applied it again with a micro-fiber towel. Wiped it on, let it set for about 2 minutes. Wiped off, all the bug residue and tar was removed. The surface was smooth, and slick. I am sure the chemicals are stronger, and you may not be interested, but I found it to work better than Tarminator.
I have tried Xenit on some tar spots on the inside wheel wells. Xenit worked well on these tar balls, the spots came right off the wells. I am not sure why it worked better than Tarminator. Both products have a strong citrus smell. I really think Tarminator may be a "watered down" version of Xenit. Xenit works, but has a warning on the label that it is a strong solvent and to avoid using on certain plastics, to spot test it etc. So again, not sure if you want to use this on your paint or not.
I hope this helps Brad. Man, normally you are the fellow recommending products! I am glad I can return the favor.
SJ
Ron Ketcham
Active member
Bug rsidue, use a water based surfactant cleaner, not butyl based, let it soak on a cool surface, lightly agitate, rinse.
Tar, you need a hydrocarbon based solvent, there are several good ones, just would not recommend any which contain xylene in the formula.
If you want an expensive, and really makes no difference, any will require you reapply your protectant, get an aliphatic blend, such as our New Car Prep or those that are on the shelf at any mass merchandiser, they will work, just watch for the xylene in them, it is carcenigenic.
Tar, you need a hydrocarbon based solvent, there are several good ones, just would not recommend any which contain xylene in the formula.
If you want an expensive, and really makes no difference, any will require you reapply your protectant, get an aliphatic blend, such as our New Car Prep or those that are on the shelf at any mass merchandiser, they will work, just watch for the xylene in them, it is carcenigenic.
Clean Dean
Keep it clean !!!
I used tarminator on the areas around the wheel wells of my wifes silver c-class and had excellent results applying it directly to a terry cloth and gently agitating the tar overspray. I am unfamiliar with the active ingredients and I hope that it does not contain xylene. I bought 10 cans of the product at a flea market for less than a $1.00 a can, so I am very happy that I had success with the product.
P.S. Everytime I see a Audi S4 I think about how much better the car looks with the red brake caliphers. If you don't mind me asking what is your overall opinion of the S4's road performance?
I didn't really notice the beauty of the auto until I started viewing this forum.
:up :up :up
P.S. Everytime I see a Audi S4 I think about how much better the car looks with the red brake caliphers. If you don't mind me asking what is your overall opinion of the S4's road performance?
I didn't really notice the beauty of the auto until I started viewing this forum.
:up :up :up
Brad B
New member
Thanks for the input everybody. I have always used quick detailers or fine abrasives for removing tar or bugs tar. I don't get too much of that but lately there is a lot of fresh road construction and my cars are getting filthy. Too much use of abrasives would be bad so I appreciate your suggestions of alternatives. I think I will try Tarminator and then maybe Xenit. Power Clean sounds interesting too.
Clean Dean...
I really love the S4. The power is incredible. The turbos kick in at low rpm but if you punch it above 3000 rpm you have to hold on! My wife is afraid to punch the throttle all the way. One time I forced her to punch it while jumping into traffic and she had that frightened look like she was on a wild ride at Six Flags.
The ride is firm but not hard, I added a Neuspeed swaybar which helps a lot. The engine is quiet under normal driving but is audible when you get on it. The fit and finish of the interior is superb. Better than any Jag or Mercedes I have driven in. The chassis is very stiff and the car feels like it's cut out of a solid block of aluminum. Naturally, it has all the luxury amenities. It has two personalities: The quiet luxury cruiser and the "push me, I can take it" road burner.
I have had several Audi's in the past and they have always been well built, solid and reliable. The only thing they lacked is power. The S4 takes care of that and, so far, this has been the best overall car I've owned.
Clean Dean...
I really love the S4. The power is incredible. The turbos kick in at low rpm but if you punch it above 3000 rpm you have to hold on! My wife is afraid to punch the throttle all the way. One time I forced her to punch it while jumping into traffic and she had that frightened look like she was on a wild ride at Six Flags.
The ride is firm but not hard, I added a Neuspeed swaybar which helps a lot. The engine is quiet under normal driving but is audible when you get on it. The fit and finish of the interior is superb. Better than any Jag or Mercedes I have driven in. The chassis is very stiff and the car feels like it's cut out of a solid block of aluminum. Naturally, it has all the luxury amenities. It has two personalities: The quiet luxury cruiser and the "push me, I can take it" road burner.
I have had several Audi's in the past and they have always been well built, solid and reliable. The only thing they lacked is power. The S4 takes care of that and, so far, this has been the best overall car I've owned.
DETAILKING
New member
than hydrocarbon blends. I would say kerosene in the mixture is the most popular hydrocarbon used in these products. I don't get much tar on my car,and if I do, clay takes care of it, or for real stubborn stains, WD40. I don't like doing large areas as it is tough on polish, and the car will need to be rewaxed afterwards. Do you intend to use this for spot cleaning or doing entire panels at once? Have you ever thought of installing mud guards on your S4? It might not look bad!
Brad B
New member
I am just using it for spot cleaning. I have also used solvents for tar but the myriad of products available intrigue me. I am a sucker for marketing!
Mud guards?
No way, that would kill my cd and slow me down
Mud guards?
No way, that would kill my cd and slow me down
Clean Dean
Keep it clean !!!
I am now obsessed with test driving the S4. My wife loved our first MB(1995) c-class280 and I chinched a little when I was offered a 2000 c-class sport at a local dealership at a very low lease. At first I liked the c-class two tone leather interior and firmer suspension however the car growls much to loud when pushed (and this is often). The kompressor engine of MB gets a big thumbs down from me!:down However when the lease is up (12 months) I will definitely pay my local Audi dealer a visit ! Thanks again for the feedback ! I hope to someday post some impressive pics of of my 69 Corvette convertible in my garage among some other vintage toys, but until then please continue to inspire those like me in the autopia community who love automobiles !!!!
P.S. Good Luck with the tar remover... I'm also interested in trying the Power Clean from Wizards.
Dale: Does your company manufacture a popular wax???
P.S. Good Luck with the tar remover... I'm also interested in trying the Power Clean from Wizards.
Dale: Does your company manufacture a popular wax???
imported_ONEFASTCL600
New member
Just my 2 cents and probably a little late, but I tried the Blue Magic bug and tar remover and it didnt work at all.......
I might not have let it sit long enough...who knows. Let me know how the tarminator works for you.....my fiance keeps parking her car under a damn pine tree!!!
I might not have let it sit long enough...who knows. Let me know how the tarminator works for you.....my fiance keeps parking her car under a damn pine tree!!!