Tar - Your Process

mgm2003

mgm2003

New member
I'd like to hear what folks are using to combat tar these days.

Please specify:
-Product
-Process
-Results

Most of the cars that I deal with have heavy tar build up, and it takes a lot of time and elbow grease to remove it. I'd like to know if there is an easier way :)

The products that I use:
-Clay
-Stoners Tarminator
-Mineral Spirits (used most often)
-Poorboys Bug Squash (for fresh tar on my own rides).
 
i played around with a friends car which had some build up of tar from years...
not excessive, but enough to catch your eye

i jsut used megs paint cleaner and alot of elbow grease..
 
My favorite for bugs/tar/sap is Turtle Wax Bug & Tar Remover. You have to get the version sold in the metal can with the plastic flip top. The other versions are garbage.

On some bad stains it can take moderate elbow grease, but I haven't seen anything it couldn't take off. I just spread the TW B&T Remover on a cheap wholesale club MF and scrub away. Sometimes it's gone immediately and sometimes it takes some scrubbing.

I did just buy a jug of Meguiar's Detailer Line Body Solvent to try. If I see a particularly tar ladden car I'll give it a try and let you know. However, I don't see too much tar this time of year (too cold) unless it's a car I've never cleaned before.
 
i use product 87...octane that is .. just some gas on a rag then wash and polish ect ... crude but effective ... :howdy
 
I've not hit tar yet that didn't fall to this process:
1. Bug Squash as a pre-wash
2. Malco Target--I spray it on, tar falls off; a mineral based product
3. Occassionally I have to use clay; I keep small pieces of clay for the occassion.
 
I wonder what chemicals are being used at dealerships & used car lots
because they have to run into vehicles that are coated with tar.
 
mgm2003 said:
I wonder what chemicals are being used at dealerships & used car lots
because they have to run into vehicles that are coated with tar.
Click to expand...

Go ask the detailer at those lots I'm sure they will tell you....I vote for mineral sprits has always worked for me and also clay as a followup
 
Goof Off - for the really bad tar. I use it after a wash with an MF rag. Follow up with QD and a clean rag.

Autoglym Intensive Tar Remover - for the light to moderate tar. I use it after a wash with an MF rag. Follow up with QD and a clean rag.
 
bigron62 said:
i use product 87...octane that is .. just some gas on a rag then wash and polish ect ... crude but effective ... :howdy
Click to expand...
Very dangerous as well.

Try some kerosene. Works great, low volatility, cheap, readily available.
I use various tar removers for the occasional spots that show up, but if I were to have a heavy accumulation, a rag soaked in kerosene would be what I would/do use.
Some of the roads I travel are what is called chip seal which is a tar/oil base that they scatter pieces of rock in and the vehicle traffic works the rock into the tar/oil. Until it is a month or so old, a lot of the tar/oil ends up on the lower panels of my van. The kerosene wash works great to remove it.

Charles
 
I have plenty of kerosene around, and will see how it does vs. mineral spirits (which is my current full strength product). Sometimes tar removal takes longer than any other step. It can be a real PITA, especially when it's splattered all over white paint and very noticeable.

CharlesW said:
Very dangerous as well.

Try some kerosene. Works great, low volatility, cheap, readily available.
I use various tar removers for the occasional spots that show up, but if I were to have a heavy accumulation, a rag soaked in kerosene would be what I would/do use.
Some of the roads I travel are what is called chip seal which is a tar/oil base that they scatter pieces of rock in and the vehicle traffic works the rock into the tar/oil. Until it is a month or so old, a lot of the tar/oil ends up on the lower panels of my van. The kerosene wash works great to remove it.

Charles
Click to expand...
 
I've been either using PPG Prepsol or 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover to tackle the tar... just spray or wipe it on, give it 15-20 seconds to dwell, and wipe away the crud.
 
If there is alot of Tar, I use 3M wax and grease remover with a course cotton towel.

If its just a little tar, I use full strength all APC and an open cell sponge.
 
CarGlow said:
Mikeyc said:
My favorite for bugs/tar/sap is Turtle Wax Bug & Tar Remover.
I tried several applications of TW Bug & Tar on some caked on tar yesterday.

Let's just say if tar could laugh ...
Click to expand...
There are a couple of different formulas of TW Bug & Tar remover. The one that comes in the metal bottle is the one I was using. Also, the more product you use the more effective it is.

Anyway, it's a good thing you brought this old thread back because I want to change my mind. My new method of tar removal is a combo of Meguiar's Body Solvent and a pressure washer. I just spray on the Megs, let it sit for a minute, and then hit it with the power washer. Tar - - - - GONE! Definitely less labor intensive than my old method.

I keep getting oddly enough large globs of tar on the inside of my wheels. This method makes short work of them.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
I agree with CharlesW..kerosene..it does eat it up...melts it off..

ever watch a road crew roll new asphalt..well that roller is being coated with kerosene or diesel fuel..plus tools are cleaned latter with it...

I have the same type road CharlesW has...the spray tar down..then spread 1/4 rock..and then sand over it..but the tar still kicks up on the truck..so I use kerosene to clean it off...even diesel fuel works...tar just melts away...

Al
 
Man, I've been using Citrusol, a Citrus solvent instead of a mineral spirit (kerosene) based Target by Malco. Changed my life.
 
PEI Detail said:
Man, I've been using Citrusol, a Citrus solvent instead of a mineral spirit (kerosene) based Target by Malco. Changed my life.
Click to expand...

WOW! A life changing product. I got to get me some.
 
I use Prepsol.

But as you can see, there are many options to choose from...

But I should say, prepsol cleans it RIGHT off.
 
PEI Detail said:
Man, I've been using Citrusol, a Citrus solvent instead of a mineral spirit (kerosene) based Target by Malco. Changed my life.
Click to expand...

I googled it and couldn't find a retailer.

Where can I purchase Citrusol?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top