Tar Removal

[P8RIOT]

I got caught in a road repair mess, and picked up a blob of tar - right on the inner surface of the rear wheel. :angry:

I don't think I've seen a thread on tar cleanup. What do you use to remove tar? Do you use something different on the painted surfaces?

I know there are dozens of tar removers on the shelf - how about some alternative ideas, too - kinda like home remedies?

 

[Cutter]

WD-40 then wash right off...

 

[Gas Man]

Or goo gone or simple green

 

[Oscar Maldonado]

Goo-Gone perhaps but the simple green didn't do the trick on mine. I ended up getting some turtle wax bug and tar remover. Workd awesomely.:2thumbs:

 

[Gas Man]

Yeah i picked up some similar stuff for a car... I know it would work on anything. It might ahve been turtle wax brand as well. Black bottle I think with a green label.

 

[BIKERDAD61]

WD-40 then wash right off...

Yep, I agree on the WD-40. That stuff has 1000 uses !!

 

[Gas Man]

Rarely of which it being a great lube. Most of the time it just makes a great cleaner...

 

[GDOG_PITBULL]

For a natural based solvent, I always use mineral spirits as it will not hurt the paint!:2thumbs:
G

 

[bdmridgeback]

In the Detail shop we used gasoline or mineral spirits on tar. Neither will hurt the paint or aluminum. Just throw some polish or wax back on it when done.

 

[LDO]

P8,
If it's on your wheel, you should be GTG by using goo gone but I you ever get it on paint, try using cooking oil. Gets the gummy residue from price tags and stickers, tar, and just about anything without any harmful effects (in my experience) on paint and finish....

 

[bdmridgeback]

Mineral Spirits is about the safest thing for the paint that still cuts tar real fast. Those other things like WD40, GooGone, or anyother mixture of stuff may have a long term effect like yellowing of the clear coat. Or like GooGone, it needs rubbed and rubbed to cut stuff and that scratches the paint or aluminum. Plain ol' Mineral spirits soaked on a rag, just lay it on the tar spot for about 30 seconds without rubbing and let the spirits soak in, wipe it once and it is gone without scratching or elbow grease needed. That is many years of owning a detail shop and weekly removing tar off of cars. Gasoline works fastest, but stinks alot more. If your outside and want something to take the tar off fast, use the gasoline. We had cars come in that the person ran 50-60 mph down a road that they were re-surfacing and had already sprayed the liquid tar down...
Yep, what a mess, it made a white car completely black once from the windows down and it was dripping off the rocker panels and dried.

We took a pump spayer with gas in it, spayed the car down and it just melts it off. Wash and wax, and like new again.

 

[FatDog]

Hands down the best stuff I've ever used has been "3M Adhesive Remover".
No scrubbing or rubbing it basically wipes tar right off. Only problem is that it takes any polish and waxes off and you have to re-wax or polish but it's worth it, with the time you save.

 

[chucktx]

try some babyoil. beach goers use it to clean them selves from tanker spills...bunker c is just a step away from tar. cheap too.

 

[Sparks]

Well my two best solutions have already been mentioned. When I had to clean my roofing tools it was gas or mineral spirits. Never tried the wd-40 but it's cheap enough I might have to buy some for under bike cleaning, it does'nt have the evaporation rate of starting fluid which takes oil and road grime off in a spray and a rinse in most cases. I would'nt try it near my paint on the bike but under my truck it's great. WD-40 sounds like a good fix for the bike scum, I can't beleive I don't have a can laying around but as Blitz said "It's not a lube" but it does work to take off sticker residue if memory serves.

 

[jeepenbob]

I use to haul asphalt so I cleaned enough tar for everyone.we used deisel in a sprayer in the dump bed to keep it fron sticking and 0n the paint but no clearcoat on the old trucks

 

[BigDogBro1]

GooGone = paint gone

For a natural based solvent, I always use mineral spirits as it will not hurt the paint!:2thumbs:
G

Don't use GooGone it will ruin the painted surfaces.

Use Mineral Spirits for safe short term exposure to painted surfaces and it's less flamable!

 

[seemebro]

I once worked hot mopping shower pan's with a tar kettle in the back of a white truck and i used goo be gone and wd-40 with wd-40 it was a lilttle more work but it worked good

 

[BBChopper]

WD-40 then wash right off...

Yup old beach trick!!!:2thumbs:

 

[baddog]

I've been using windex on my chrome and billet lately. (not on paint). I love the way it cleans and leaves a mirror shine. Anyone know why windex would be a bad idea? It dosolves tar but it needs to soak a little.

 

[barhopper]

I've been using windex on my chrome and billet lately. (not on paint). I love the way it cleans and leaves a mirror shine. Anyone know why windex would be a bad idea?

According to the Dad in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, it works on everything. :roll: