Tar Removing Difficulties

Z

zey

New member
After washing my dad's car this evening, I found out that the side of the rear bumper is quite full of tar and stains. I tried to use Autoglym Super Resin Polish to clean it, but I found that it is quite a difficult task as it is not powerful enough to dissolve the road tar, furthermore it is quite wasteful. Then I tried out Turtlewax Bug & Tar Remover to do the job. It does pretty well, but the problem is removing the B&T Remover is quite a messy job as it is very oily. Are there any other options in getting road tar away? Will using WD40 damage the clearcoat?
 
WD-40 will not damage the clear coat. I think the way to use any of these products is to apply, allow enough time to soften the tar and then remove and clean the area. If it doesn't all come off the first time repeat. After it's off clean the area using a polish and then reapply your wax or polymer.
 
For serious tar problems I use mineral spirits or something like naptha. Available at any hardware store (I hope they have hardware stores in Malaysia):)



Follow up with your normal wash and wax and you'll be good to go.
 
Being that im currently IN THE PROCESS of detailing my pathy.. been since about noon (currently 5 pm here) i also found quite a bit of tar on the bottom part of the pathy, where the step rails are.. my trick.. i sprayed some EF Spot remover on it, let it soak in for 15-20 seconds, then spray carb remover on it, and rubbed for about 15 seconds with the rough side of one of those sponges for the kitchen, and voila.. tar is ALL GONE..
 
I use 3M's Tar and Bug Remover. It comes in an aerosol can. Typically I soak a section of paper towel then hold it on the spot for a few seconds to soften the tar before wiping.

This is yet another useful application for Scott Towels in a Box. I keep a box of these at home at work and in the toolbox of my truck.

<em class='bbc'>clic pic[/i]
 
The tar which I intend to remove is left on the surface for 6 months. Is this one of the reasons it is hard to be dissolved? Some of the tars are really stubborn, using light pressure to rub will not remove it too.



How much you guys spray those tar remover on the surface? I find it quite wasteful to spray it liberally...
 
<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote' >

<em class='bbc'>Originally posted by Brad B. [/i]
<strong class='bbc'>I like Tarminators as well. Denatured alcohol is also safe on paint and plastics as well. [/b]</blockquote>. . . Just don't use it on any places where you have automotive touch up paint.:scared
 
Yeah, both rubbing alcohol and denatured alcohol made touchup paint lose its shine! Gave it a dull flat black appearance, scared the heck out of me! A quick polish fixed that though. I have to strip off that touchup paint and use the urethane (same as factory paint) quart I got once I perfect my technique.



Love that PC!
 
Brad: Yeah, you say that now! I nearly fainted :D.



F1Crazy: A heavy solvent . . . I actually removed some from a spot by rubbing with denatured alcohol for a minute but it took a good bit of alcohol and rubbing.



YMMV though, this was from the previous owner using a cheapo touchup paint stick from pep boys. Now that stick's leaked and is plastered inside of my center console waiting for me to pull up my sleeves and strip it out :eek:.



I bought a $35 quart of the original paint and clear that is on my car for touchups or if I get anything repainted. I'll have to practice my techniques before stripping touchup and fixing it.



I'm sure others have more experience with stripping things than I do...HTH!
 
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