How do I get tar off the paintwork?

[pinkpig08]

I was washing my car today and noticed a few tar spots on the side of the car. Too small to see at a distance but I know they're there! What can I use to get them off? It's a grey/silver metallic paint.
Thanks
Pinkpig

[gardner1]

t/cut/petrol/white spirit

[kitchpoo]

Autoglym tar spot remover - less aggressive than white spirit. Just take your time to get them all.

I used a Gunk (TM) spray version - which was really good especially on insect remnants, but it did take off a fair amount of wax and polish in the area so needed re-applying to re-protect the paint.

I think Holts also do some bug.tar spot remving wipes but I dont know how effective or aggressive these are.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/products/products/210292/insect_and_tar_removers.html

Looks like Gunk is a good option.

[Poppycat]

http://www.axminster.co.uk/product-Magic-American-Products-Goo-Gone-376969.htm

Seems to work found it on here

http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/2667.html (http://www.tipking.co.uk/tip/2667.html)

and autogym do one

http://www.smartfinishcare.com/page13.htm

AutoGlym Intensive Tar Remover instantly dissolves tar on paintwork and plastics, enabling it to be wiped off, or washed away during a routine shampoo. Use to remove oil, grease, silicones, wax, resinous tree sap, fuel stains and adhesive residues. Areas of treated paintwork should be re-polished, to maintain finish and protection. Intensive Tar Remover can also be used on rubber, to remove oil-based stains.

[AdrianHi]

If those tar remover product leave anything behind or there is other muck you want to get rid of something like this is the answer:
http://www.dtconcours.co.uk/super-clay.htm

Halfords stock Meguires Quick Clay which is good too. Take care with technique so as to not introduce micro scratches. This is how professional detailers prepare a paint surface before re-sealing / waxing. Once you've clayed the car you need to wash it and get a sealant onto the paint work before the car gets rained on or a bird drops "a load" on it.

[MX5huggy]

Has to be a clay bar the best thing by far you will be stunned by the results. Must be followed by a good quality wax.

http://www.autopia-carcare.com/inf-clay.htmlon how to do it.

[AdrianHi]

Clay bar will shift just about anything, I use it in summer if I get a bad case of baked on insect bodies followed by a wash and re-applying my favourite paint sealant.
I have also used clay alone for removing tar spots, but I think reducing the sports with one of the solvents first and then claying if needed is a better approach.

[gingerdad]

Brasso is a good one

GD

[AdrianHi]

Brasso is a good one

GD


BRASSO CLEAN BRASS CLEANER
For brass casting a or small components the oxidation turns the surface to dull appearance.
This brasso clean clean the surface forming the uniform shiny look.
Acidic in nature free from HCL & HNO3.

As any car detailer / paint correction specialist, car valeter or car enthusiast will tell you, anything acidic should not be used on painted or lacquered surfaces as it dulls and damages the finish. I used to get criticised for using Wonder Wheels on my lacquered alloy wheels for the same reason, it's acidic. I will be using alternative non-acidic wheel cleaners from now on.

[bigdic]

Carplan do an amazing tar removing product, it's an aerosol spray that you leave on for about 10 seconds then wipe of with some kitchen roll.

http://www.carplan.co.uk/index.cfm?product=102

You can buy it in Woolworths or Homebase (these are the 2 shops I've found carplan stuff in anyway) it's also among the cheapest range of car cleaning products I've ever found and (IMO) far better than most.

[ihatecharges]

If you use clay you will mar the paint so it is best to use a tar remover IMHO (BMW stuff is good) allow it to soak and wipe with a soft microfibre cloth, do again if required so get rid off as much as possible first before using clay or polish.

Tar remover will strip any wax on the car so be sure to wax after using a tar remover or clay for that matter.

[debred86]

I noticed the same thing the other day on my car, got the tcut out and it worked a treat. Some bits come off easily, some bits you have to scrub a little harder. Make sure u use a soft cloth tho :)
:D

[harveybobbles]

Polish with some cutting compound will. But petrol is your best bet is it's a small amount. We use Tardis at work, but thats for when the thing is caked in tar!

[waw_54321]

Spray on wd40 then wipe off :t

[KeithP]

Spray on wd40 then wipe off :t
Another vote for WD40.
Very quick.

[vaio]

solvent.......so petrol, brake cleaner, any of the proprietary tar removers, white spirit

Also, and I might be imagining this, but I seem to remember that 30 or 35 years ago we used to use a knob of butter and a pinch of sugar to get oil off our hands after fixing cars so maybe try a bit of butter.

[vaio]

…….. and I might be imagining this, but I seem to remember that 30 or 35 years ago we used to use a knob of butter and a pinch of sugar to get oil off our hands after fixing cars so maybe try a bit of butter.

I wasn’t imagining it, thanks to the wonders of google it now appears that butter is a recognised method of removing tar from skin in Holland at least.

http://www.worldwidewounds.com/2004/december/Steenvoorde/Tar-Removal-From-A-Burn-With-Butter.html

I presume dutch tar is much the same as ours (although I was once involved in a confusing incident re my bobble cap and a dutch cap) so got to be worth a try, not sure if marge will work

.

[HatRak]

Hi

Best one i've used by far is a product called Autosmart Tardis. Sray it on and watch as the tar simply melts away. It's fantastic stuff.
Only sold through authorised dealers, but you can pick it up on ebay.

[harveybobbles]

I have gallons of the stuff...