Road Tar Removal

[boggers007]

Hi Guys,

Just wondering if anyone has any advice on getting road tar off of paint and plastic? I noticed it on my car a few week's back managed to get a good portion off the side door panel by using some Scratch X and finger nails when I was washing the car but I now have some tough part's that take abit more effort to get off. I bought some Turtle WAX Bug & Tar remover to hopefully soften it up for easy removal but this did nothing on the stuff still on my paintwork, When doing this I also found more of the stuff under the car and on the wheel arch which is a black plastic (Car is a Mazda CX-3).

If anyone has any product that will do a better job as it didn't dissolve it like it was sold to me as doing.

Thanks,
Brendan.

[Peter B - CV8]

I've always just used kerosene. Works a treat & won't damage your paintwork.

[boggers007]

I've always just used kerosene. Works a treat & won't damage your paintwork.

Cool thanks for that, how do you apply it?

[SASLS1]

WD-40 sprayed onto a clean rag, works well on tough spots.

[Peter B - CV8]

Cool thanks for that, how do you apply it?

Splash a bit on rag & wipe away. For large tar spots let the kero soak in for 10-20 seconds. Don't scrub madly at the tar - just rub gently & allow the kero to soften & dissolve it.

[boggers007]

Splash a bit on rag & wipe away. For large tar spots let the kero soak in for 10-20 seconds. Don't scrub madly at the tar - just rub gently & allow the kero to soften & dissolve it.

Is this safe for the hard black plastic also or only paint?

[IJ.]

Always used Prepsol, the Bug and Tar remover in a spray can is just prepsol, only downside is it will remove any polish or sealant you have on the paint.

[Peter B - CV8]

Is this safe for the hard black plastic also or only paint?

Can be used on black plastics without any dramas. In fact, it will leave a nice shiny finish.

[boggers007]

Alright thought I should give an update as I finally got around to purchasing some Kerosene from bunnings. Went out this morning put some kero on a rag rubbed it onto my road tar on the plastic and .............. nothing did absolutely nothing, Tried the bits on the paint also and same deal didn't soften and remove it nothing.

Tried a few goes at it and let it sit etc but nothing happened.

Am I doing something wrong or should I try another product?

[Peter B - CV8]

Are you sure it's tar ??? (not paint). Has always worked perfectly for me.....

[boggers007]

Are you sure it's tar ??? (not paint). Has always worked perfectly for me.....

Yeah would be tar as its dark and you can see its flicked off from the road and sprayed up the side of the car. Its been there for a while as it is hard and since there's road works pretty much every where near my house and work I can't think of anything else it would be.

[Micks]

If it's paint you could try watering down some group A thinners, use sparingly @ your own risk!

[boggers007]

If it's paint you could try watering down some group A thinners, use sparingly @ your own risk!

Rather not mess with anything like that, pretty certain that it is road tar tho just baked on since I would have picked it up in summer...................Last resort is car detailer and make it their problem but would prefer to fix it myself lol.

[Micks]

OK if your certain it's tar only, turps or even ulp will remove it too, if it's stubborn give it a coupla soaking goes ;)

[tascalais]

Yeah I would try a good soaking of turps first. I have removed tar from vehicles before signwriting them and turps works the best for me. You need a good soaked rag and just gently wipe over a few times keeping the area wet. You'll see the tar start to melt fairly quickly.

>>>tappin from tassie