OK....I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for me. Since I often drive in the city, I have little bits of tar that are stuck to the side of my MINI that won't come off with regular washing. I need to find a cleaning product that is safe to use on my paint, but will also remove these obnoxious little bits of tar. They DO come off, but it would take 30 years for me to get each one....there MUST be an EASIER WAY!!

Any suggestions?? Please???? :smile:

 

Hey L.mini,
I had the same problem the other day and I got McGuires Bug and Tar remover. It worked great. Being that its McGuires I know its a good product that won't hurt the paint. If you cannot find that try Mothers Bug and Tar remover, another good product. Try either one. . Good luck. Tar sux's :evil:

 

They make a bug and tar remover. you can get it at my auto parts store. sould be with the wax, and detail products. or if your really cheap WD40 and a paper towel works too, but you may have to wash the car afterwards and i am not sure what it does to the wax, but it does work. use at own risk. good luck.

 

Thanks so much for the suggestions, you guys! I love Meguires products so I will hunt some of that down and give it a shot....I love this site! SO HELPFUL!

 

No matter which product you use, they all are basically the same. So more expensive doesn't equal better in this case. Find the cheapest stuff you can. I use No. 7 Bug-n-Tar remover and it only costs a $1. They are all just glorified rubbing alcohol. All will require you rewax the area you rub down.

R

 

I am due for a wax anyway and we were going to do our cars this weekend so that won't be a problem.

 

with my vw i use steelwool

 

Ummmmmmmmm.......no.

 

Turtle wax have a bug and tar remover wipe. It comes in a tub that you can pull out one ata a time. If it works for tar as well as it works for bugs then it should do just fine!

It will leave a smear on the paint though if you want you should carry a terry-towel to re-buff afterwarsds.

:smile:

 

<<or if your really cheap WD40 and a paper towel works too, but you may have to wash the car afterwards and i am not sure what it does to the wax, but it does work. use at own risk. good luck.
>>

YIKES! Never use paper-towel on your paint, it is almost guaranteed to scratch like crazy! [cringes at the thought]
Please please please please pleeeeeeeze don't use paper towel on the paint, I can't stress this one enough )
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I forgot that forum existed.

 

Oh yeah....and microfiber towels are my friend.

 

what's a Clay Bar?

 

I always use Mineral Spirits. That's what Bug and tar is made from. Works great. Just wax afterwards..

 

So many great suggestions! Keep 'em comin' you guys! I am making a list as we speak!

 

Thanks for bringing this up L. I've had the same problem and didn't want to scratch the heck out it trying to get that nasty stuff off. Darn tar!

 

>>what's a Clay Bar?

Clay bar is, well, a modeling clay-like blob that you use along with a lubricant (a "spray and shine" kinda thing). The clay literally shears off contaminants from the paint surface, leaving the paint clean-as-new. You must be careful to keep kneading and folding the clay, and keep it lubricated, so you don't use those newly removed contaminants as scratching agents The results are excellent, elbow grease is minimal, however you MUST wax afterwards, since the clay removes everything on the paint. Clay bars have been around for decades as a secret in most detailing shops. You can find them just about everywhere nowadays. Mothers, Zymol, Wizards and a ton of others all have Clay bar products. They're all basically the same, due to the nature of the product, there isn't much "magic" a company can do to the clay!

Cheers,
Ryan

 

I use mineral spirts. A quart will last you a long time. Great for cleaning oil, tar & grease. Just wipe on a little bit. Let it sit for a moment then remove. Works great.

 

Here's another quick and cheap way to clean off tar, bugs, and grease..."Simple Green" works wonders. I was desperate one day to remove some old tar on my Honda Civic and happen to have a spray bottle of Simple Green that I normally use on the wheels. The tar came off pretty quick with very little effort, but of course I waxed the area afterwards.

 

I've been getting great results from Zymol HD-Cleanse on my Pepper White. Leaves paint nice and smoooooth. Smells good too!

Cheers,
Bill