So Friday afternoon, I'm installing a new license plate frame on my MINI. When I'm done, I see a little bit of road tar near the frame. I clean it off and then see another spot of tar. I clean that off and look more Now I notice that my beautiful car is covered from head to tow with streaks of road tar. AARRGGHH!

Seems on my way home, I drove over a newly paved road. It was hot out and it must have been really fresh as this stuff was everywhere. Must have been spraying up from the cars beside and in front of me as well. Since my MINI color is BRG, it was hard to see the tar on the car at first.

So I start cleaning all the tar off and then I notice I have a chip in my windshield that is starting to expand. I remember hearing a loud crack on Wednesday. It must have taken some time to progress to a chip. Called the insurance company and long story short, a new windshield will be ordered on Monday and installed when it comes in.

I did manage to get all the tar off after a marathon cleaning/detailing session Saturday Morning. I ended up pulling/rotating the tires so I could clean the tar off the inside of the wheel wells. Had to wipe the whole car down with bug and tar remover. Then a good wash and two coats of Zaino later, she looks good as new.

Needless to say I'm now worn out. Oh well, I played the Father's Day/Weekend card and was able to wangle a two hour nap while my wonderful wife watched the kids.

I will be avoiding newly paved roads for a while until I'm sure they are solid.

 

Just a heads up. Most bug & tar remover has an abrasive in it. Use carefully to avoid scratches. I keep a gallon of kerosene for use as a bug/tar remover. The drawback to using it is it removes wax & tar.

 

I didn't know that. Thought it was just a solvent. In any case, the one I used didn't seem to mar the paint and I did re-Zaiono afterword.