Black Specs on car - Tar?

neilmcl

Arsenal2019 wrote: »

Hi guys

I’ve got a new, white car and recently I’ve been noticing little black specs of what I can only assume to be Tar deposits?
I’ve Washed it, and scrubbed hard and it won’t come off. I have then tried to scratch one little spec off with my finger and I appear to have scratched it. I did that as a test- I know I probably shouldn’t have.

Anyway, I’ve seen that you can use Tar remover. However, with that, I’ve seen that tar removers can strip the oils/paint/ ‘good stuff’ away and remove the protective layers? - is this true?

If so, are there any alternatives / home remedies which people have used and have worked?

Thanks

Never, never try and scrub off any deposits from your paintwork or you will damage it. For tar I'd recommend a dedicated tar remover. The best is Autosmart Tardis, but difficult to get hold of as you have to buy it from an Autosmart rep. The best alternatives are CarChem Tar & Glue remover or Autoglym tar remover.

All decent tar removers will strip wax so you will have to replace this with a new protective layer when done.

Arsenal2019

Thanks very much for your help guys!

So if I was to use a tar remover, obviously I’ll wash the car first, use the tar remover, wipe off and wash again?

The black specs are on my wheel arches !

V

Scrapit

neilmcl wrote: »

Fallout remover is for Iron fallout deposits, you'll want to properly decontaminate the paintwork first in the following order before using clay - wash, rinse, dry, tar remover, rinse, then fallout remover, then clay.

I wouldn't use a fall out remover and clay in the same wash and definetly not after a tar remover. If claying then polish and wax needs re applying. I'd prefer claying over any of the others but with it being a white car if probably lean towards the fallout remover.

Arsenal2019

Can any of you send me a link to this fallout remover?

Also, is there a length of time I should / can’t leave the tar on the car before attempting to remove it? Or does it not matter that much?

neilmcl

Scrapit wrote: »

I wouldn't use a fall out remover and clay in the same wash and definetly not after a tar remover. If claying then polish and wax needs re applying. I'd prefer claying over any of the others but with it being a white car if probably lean towards the fallout remover.

You should never clay before performing a chemical decon otherwise you risk marring the paint. You want to get as much stubborn deposits off using the least physical means first. Also de-tar before fallout every time, although that doesn't mean you can't use fallout remover on it's own during normal maintenance washes.

neilmcl

Arsenal2019 wrote: »

Can any of you send me a link to this fallout remover?

Also, is there a length of time I should / can’t leave the tar on the car before attempting to remove it? Or does it not matter that much?

Probably the best fallout remover you can get is Bilt Hamber Korrosol.

As far as tar remover, or any product for that mater, is concerned, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions. Some say you can leave it for a minute or two, others only seconds before wiping off.

Scrapit

neilmcl wrote: »

You should never clay before performing a chemical decon otherwise you risk marring the paint. You want to get as much stubborn deposits off using the least physical means first. Also de-tar before fallout every time, although that doesn't mean you can't use fallout remover on it's own during normal maintenance washes.

If it's marring you arent using enough lubricant. It's very easy to feel if the clay is sticking and if more is needed.

force_ten

Arsenal2019 wrote: »

Can any of you send me a link to this fallout remover?

Also, is there a length of time I should / can’t leave the tar on the car before attempting to remove it? Or does it not matter that much?

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/carpro-iron-x

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/carpro-tarx

www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/carpro-trix-iron-and-tar-remover

are all great products that l use but shop around for best price

motorguy

Arsenal2019 wrote: »

Can any of you send me a link to this fallout remover?

Also, is there a length of time I should / can’t leave the tar on the car before attempting to remove it? Or does it not matter that much?

I generally apply it, and work my way round the car doing the lower half. By the time you get back round again you will see / feel the tar has softened, so most of it comes off with a further rub with a cloth and more tar remover. I'll work my way round again and by the time i get to the third lap its usually all gone.

Particularly on a white car you'll see the tar start to "melt" and there be little streaks running from it.

I'd go round the car and give it a coat of polish subsequently to help protect the paint.

neilmcl

Scrapit wrote: »

If it's marring you arent using enough lubricant. It's very easy to feel if the clay is sticking and if more is needed.

Lubricant isn't the issue, if you're relying on clay to shift a bonded contaminate rather then using a chemical to dissolve it then you introduce the risk of scratching and marring the paint, no matter how much lubricant you use, not to mention clay alone sometimes simply wont shift heavily bonded tar. As I said earlier it's much safer to remove dirt etc, chemically than it is manually.