It was a beautiful day today in Connecticut and I washed my car and I have alot of what looks to be "tar spots" on the driver and passenger door bottom's.

Whats the best product to use to get it off? I got some of it off that was on the door, but I didn't want to scratch my car so I left it alone.

I also have alot of little black spots all over my boot door and bumper, I think it may be wither from the exhause or road tar? Whats best to get this off?

 

it could be tar or maybe tire dressing? either way a clay bar is always good and safe for the paint. good luck!

 

you can use either wax, or i use RC car motorspray. works great.

 

claybar or tarminator for the doors

paint cleaner for the boot

 

Start with QD (just in case it's really just tire dressing)...if that doesn't work, then clay will do it

 

if that is tiresauce, i bet it's the meguiar's Endurance gel... thing is a mess.

 

Not if you don't use too much. And wipe down properly. Really. I've NEVER slung any onto my car, and I've used it consistently for 16 months...

 

I get black spots on my boot all the time from brake dust. I'd start with a microfiber towel and , like Mel said, some QD. Then progress up from there. Clay is a good solution if it isn't tar since it will just smear it.

 

I dont think its brake dust it has texture to it like it may be road tar as well.

 

I found the same problem the other day while doing a quick wash.

Pretty sure it is tar...

What is "QD"?

 

If you can't get it off with any of the above, in the old days I had success using gasoline to get bituminous materials off paint. It will practically disolve road tar on contact. Just use a microfiber or other soft cloth, and don't press or rub hard. I don't know how the Mini paint will react to this, but I've had no problems doing this on past cars.

 

I have this junk on my car at the end of every winter. Why in the winter, when it's so cold, do I get tar everywhere and not the summer ? Clay won't take off but the very smallest specks of tar. You need some thing stronger to disolve it. Gas, WD-40... I'm still looking for the perfect product. Of course whatever takes off the tar will also take off your wax. My first detail in the spring usually takes me ALL day , and that's just the exterior .

 

OK I dont mind wax coming off with "GAS" or "WD-40" As long as they dont hurt the finish on my paint???

 

Yeah I would do WD-40 first...but that's only if the tar is really thick. If it's just lots of little specks, use clay, much safer.

 

I've never had any issues. The finish is tough enough. Wash it right away when your finished .

 

Goo Gone works really well on tar and not harsh on the paint. Just remember to give the car a complete wash and wax treatment after removing the tar.

 

Wd-40/keroscene or 3M adhesive remover all works great if it's tar ...
follow with a good car soap , and re wax the area ...

 

Mineral spirits will also work. The paint is baked on so most solvents won't hurt as long as they are used sparingly. Just be careful as mineral spirits, gasoline (obviously) and other solvents are extremely flammable. Wash thoroughly afterwards and then wax as recommended above.

 

I clayed this past weekend and it turns out I too had some tar on the lower parts of the door. Clay worked well at removing the spots, but it was only 45 deg F so they weren't too soft to begin with. A couple of passes was all it took.

 

is there a recomended brand of clay? do you rub down the whole car or just effected areas?

 

Top to bottom, front to back. Brand is a personal choice. Each clay has a little different feel. Sonus is a little too soft for my liking and Zaino tends to get gritty. I'm using DP clay right now and it is firm and hold together well and does not stick to your hands. I have Meg's clay waiting for next time.

 

I have an old can of Turtlewax Bug n' Tar Remover....that works very well , but I think it removes the wax/sealant as well.

I was thinking of trying the product for this that DetailersParadise has.....I believe it is 'Wizard's Bug Release ' .....has anyone tried this? if it removes bugs, I assume it would remove tar....I assume this would also remove any wax/sealant though as well

 

i use BugRelease in the summer time quite often. im not sure about tar,
but it does soften up dead bugs (and some live ones ) in like 2 min.

here's how to use:
wet down the car.
spray BugRelease
go make your car shampoo bucket (while bug release does its trick)
wash the car as usual, no scrubbing needed to remove bugs.

very highly recommended for summer drivin cars.

 

WD-40 works great and won't be agressive at all on the paint - be sure to rewax in the spots you use it in as it will strip off the existing wax!

 

wash, then dry, then clay on the spots followed by wax or HYDRO? i think i can handle that