801

Previous owner picked up some tar (as you can see) and let it dry and stay for several months. My car now and I cannot get this crap off. Tried 3 different Auto Store Tar Removal products, you know, Turtle Wax, Maguires, etc. The Tar laughed at me. Tried WD-40. No luck. Tried peanut butter (yes, I found that on youtube) ... more laughter from the Tar. Can ANYONE provided ANY advice on product and technique to get this crap off? Thanks in advance.

Youngd

I've used kerosene in the past. You may want to warm the tar with a hair dryer first.

homeofstone

Mineral spirits on a microfiber rag works well for me. Then wash car and wax area that tar was on.

belarus27

warm water and microfiber towel...and a lot of rubbing lol

SEC1939

I've heard WD40 will work too

belarus27

lol

mellonc

and also look into getting a set of mud flaps. You never know you need one until you drive over stuff that you really don't want or like to get on your car.....

BBB78

Heat up and Chemical Guys stain remover. Dilute as necessary (strong stuff).

Cleans mine up every time.

HAILERS2

I used engine starter fluid. Spray it on a rag and wipe. removes the tar quickly and easily. Then wash the area and dry it off.

Memory says the auto store probably has a product especially made for removing tar. Engine starter fluid works just fine imho.

blegthbloo

Most people don't know this, but blinker fluid has multiple uses (like WD-40), and can be used to remove tar as well as many other things.

jahquan3

LMAO

armysoldier1073

Once you get it cleaned off pick up some jetseal from chemical guys. Makes cleaning ANYTHING off the paint so much easier.

HAILERS2

The kerosene idea seems like it should work best now that I think of it. Should desolve the tar pretty quickly.

Munich77

Have you tried Tarminex?

Becksan

+1 that stuff is awesome.

Johnny Rad

Seems my entire town is low on blinker fluid... Very low.

801

Much obliged to the serious ... and some not so serious ... replies. However, tar remains on rear rocker panels. Here's the rundown:
Turtle Wax Bug and Tar - no affect
Maguires Bug and Tar - no affect
WD-40 - no affect
Mineral Spirits - no affect
Tarminex (I really had high hopes for this ... I like Stoner products) - no affect.
so ... any last suggestions/ideas before I take it to a pro detailer? I have a feeling that I'm going to ultimately take it to a body shop for total refinishing.

HAILERS2

TRY THE KEROSENE OR IF NOT THAT TRY THE ENGINE STARTER FLUID AND SPRAY ON A RAG TIL WET AND RUB. WORKED FOR ME ON THE LOWER LEFT AND RIGHT ROCKER PANELS ON A CL550, FROM FRONT TO REAR. IF I'D USED MY HEAD.......I'D HAVE TRIED THE KEROSENE INSTEAD.
I WONDER IF GASOLINE ON A RAG WOULD ALSO WORK.. OR EVEN DIESEL ON A RAG AND RUBBING.

Abrown3mtg

Clay bar, detail spray & patience. They have various levels of aggressiveness. It is likely the first step a pro-detailer would take. I tried various solvents when a neighbor got spray paint over spray all over my car and baked on in the sun due to having little time to take care of it for a couple weeks. None of them worked. Clay bar did the trick for me.

That much tar will destroy the clay pretty quick though. Pay attention to it so you swap out pieces and reduce impacting the finish.

I would definitely go the detail route over refinish. It WILL come off

Good luck.

imaphaetonguy

A petroleum product will remove a petroleum product (tar).

Just plain gasoline, diesel fuel or kerosene will work.

mo11

kerosene works... if you can get some. Don't forget to wear gloves. If not, i've tried goo gone with no damage to the paint. Depending on how thick and caked in the tar is, you'll have to strip it off layer by layer. So, don't rub too hard. Just let the chemical do its job. If you see the rag turning black that means its working you just have to be patient in taking it out layer by layer.
if you're not able to take it off, just take it to your local hand car wash, pay them $20 extra and they'll take care of it.
Good luck!

801

Clay? no way. This stuff is literally baked onto my paint. Clay has no solvent properties and is really just a sticky 'tool' to remove loose surface contaminants.
Guess it's time to go all-in and try Gasoline. Maybe Kerosene ....
Thanks, all .. I do appreciate the advice.