K-A

I STUPIDLY backed into a telephone pole and left a little dent in the back bumper/chrome strip. I guess I can learn to live with it but the pole had some tar like substance which is scraped all on the side of my bumper and near my taillight. Fortunately it looks like my finger nail can get it off, but it's really sticky and still leaves a rough goopy feeling on the bumper.

I don't want to take it to a Body Shop or Car Wash to get it off, any tips?

Thanks.

K-A

Nevermind, I just got all the tar-like crap off of the bumper with Baking Soda mixed with water followed by Wax and there was no paint or body damage under it....So relieved about that. Now all I have to do is live with that damn little dent-nick on the chrome strip lining-thing on the back bumper which sucks but I think I can get over it.

xr650rguy

In the future, WD-40 works well on paint.

Goo-gone (adhesive remover) works well, too.

Follow up with some paint cleaner, polish and a fresh coat of wax.

nick-dents bug me, too.

Barry45RPM

It was more than likely Coal Tar Creosote

K-A

Yeah, it probably was. I'm so relieved the bumper has no damage from it, but the damn nick dent! (the nick dent came from another pole right next to the tar-telephone-pole) I've got a question, M-B seemed smart enough to put those long narrow strips alongside the rear bumper so if they get hit, the strips take the damage, I'm assuming that strip shouldn't be too expensive yeah? Anyone know how much I'd pay for the big middle one going across the rear bumper?

As much as I'd like to get it fixed, I just figure I'll wait and see if any other nicks occur on it and get them all repaired at once.

starbrite

For stuff that the above won't remove, 3M Advesive Cleaner will do the trick.

csumt76

You can purchase that impact strip if that all you messed up. I had a smudge on mine that I found yesterday.... I have no clue how it got there.

I wouldn't reccomend anybody doing this, but I used carb cleaner to get it off. I know it's harsh but I learned it from probably one of the best detailers in South Florida. He could bring a black car back from a hurricane without paint work. You just have to make it quick, clean the surface after and put some wax on it.

K-A

Yeah, I'm figuring I'll wait it out and see if I (hopefully do not) nick it again or something to get a new impact strip, any idea on what a good price for one is?

LaicepsYdobon

Speed Bead works great for removing tar and tree sap from the car: http://www.speedbead.com/