How to remove old tar/sap on exterior?

L

LadyChristina

New member
Hello-



I have a 2002 325i BMW, black. I have what appears to be tar or sap on the lower base of my car, as if I rode through a mud puddle and it splashed up on the car (Near my tires).



It has been there for over 2 years, dried and hard. I tried using general car wash shampoo, clay bar even Goop-off, and nothing works. Im afraid its been on too long that it is cured and will never come off. Its not a dark black color, like tar, but a lighter brown. It almost looks like candle wax.



I would defenitely appreciate any ideas on how to remove it, or if a professional detailer could do it. I really want to do a thorough wash/clay/polish/wax job, but get this crap off first.



Thanks alot for your help! :xyxthumbs
 
I would go to an auto parts store and get a quart of wax and grease remover from their paint prep area. That should do it. I would put a coat of hand wax on after that.



If that does not work - Have a pro wet sand with 2000 grit sandpaper and compound the affected panels. This can be done at any paint,body, or recon shop.
 
i rele dont think wetsanding is nessisary... just go to the autoparts store n get a bug and tar remover like stoner's tarminator, or surf city garage's road trip grime destroyer... theyre the best otc in my opinion.. ive heard people say turtle waxes bug and tar remover is good stuff too, but ive never personally used it. just follow instructions on the can/bottle and you'll be fine, that is what the products are designed for
 
Turtle Wax's Bug and Tar Remover is good, I like it. Though I haven't tried the Stoner or Surf City stuff yet.



Try those products before the wax/grease remover or wetsanding. It may lift out easier than you think with the right stuff.
 
By far the best bug & tar remover I have used is made by Cyclo. You might be able to find it locally or try the link below. Good luck.



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WD-40 was recently recommended to me by an accomplished detailer for tar and tree sap. I haven't tried it yet. I just got a can of Tarminator from the local NAPA store.
 
Get a gallon of "Bug-Off" then get Production Car Care's Showroom Conditioner and a Heavy duty Clay Bar...



Let the bug-off sit for a minute then use a tire brush and rinse



Then wet the clay bar with Showroom Conditioner and the area in which you wish to use...



Then using a foam pad buff it out



Gone!!!
 
Had the same problem with an bright orange ford xr6,clay bar removed the top layers of tar but underneath was a nice off brown stein that the clay would not remove. I ended up spot spaying with wax/grease remover & finger scrubbing each spot which took ages but it got rid of it.
 
akimel said:
WD-40 was recently recommended to me by an accomplished detailer for tar and tree sap. I haven't tried it yet. I just got a can of Tarminator from the local NAPA store.
Click to expand...





WD-40 isn't going to touch dried on tar and sap. Brake Clean will but you have to be very careful with it. If left on to long it will eat the clear coat.
 
boy a lot of cool suggestions, will print them out, blindfold myself and point to the closet one. Thanks alot, will report back my progress.
 
if you are going to use brakeclean. use non-chlorine, ive gotten it on paint before and it doesnt hurt anything immediatley, ive actually sprayed it on intentionally after spilling oil into paint, i hosed it off immediatley though.didnt hurt anything.. does a great job, its one of the best degreasers out there IMO.. but it says right on the can that you should not spray onto painted surfaces...but as i said, i would just use a commercial bug and tar remover first, because thats what its designed to do.. remove tar, sap and bugs from automotive paiunt, safley.
 
wow you guys got to be confusing the op. LOL listen tar and tree sap is easy rubbing alcohol is a safe product for tree sap. Put some on a towel and rub it over the tree sap and watch it melt. For road tar your gonna need something with some bite to it! YOu can use many solvents for this, actually kerosene really works wonders. But in all honesty try Stoners tar remover first. Its not all that aggressive and it works now if it don't worl. Laquer thinner will do the trick for sure. But please remember if your gonna use laquer thinner please wear rubber gloves and keep it off any plastic. DO NOT WETSAND THE TAR. My suggestion is that if your asking how to do this and your looking for a detailer in another thread I seen. You should contact David Fermani. He is a great detailer who will do the job right for you. Once he completes the detail I'm sure he will give you advice on how to maintain it. Good luck on your adventures.
 
rcdandy said:
Get a gallon of "Bug-Off" then get Production Car Care's Showroom Conditioner and a Heavy duty Clay Bar...



Let the bug-off sit for a minute then use a tire brush and rinse



Then wet the clay bar with Showroom Conditioner and the area in which you wish to use...



Then using a foam pad buff it out



Gone!!!
Click to expand...



A whole gallon sounds like overkill in this case. :nixweiss



I don't think I would use my tire brushes on paint. They are pretty stiff. :scared:
 
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