How can I remove road tar from paint

[redeye280z]

I've tried many products but the tar has hardened and nothing I 've tried has worked I need some good advice.

[911monty]

Have you tried WD-40? This is one of the few things that it is actually good for.

[particlewave]

Yep. I use the WD for this.

[rexcramer]

I have always had good results with Turtle Wax, Bug and Tar Remover. Keep it wet and let it soak in.

[boxxster]

I've used varsol with a lot of success. I'd imagine wd40 would work as well. They're both solvents.

[JayG]

Try Meguiars Race Rubber Remover

[thstone]

Originally Posted by rexcramer

I have always had good results with Turtle Wax, Bug and Tar Remover. Keep it wet and let it soak in.

I use the same stuff. It works great.

[Retroman1969]

Originally Posted by rexcramer

I have always had good results with Turtle Wax, Bug and Tar Remover. Keep it wet and let it soak in.

That's what I've used for years as well. Always had good luck with it.
In the old days we used gasoline.

[Porsche9]

Original Bike Spirits Spray Cleaner & Polish. Use it on my bike and also works great for removing tar and other road grime. I swear by it.

Spray Cleaner & Polish - Original Bike Spirits

[BoxsterSteve]

Good old fashioned varsol.

[redeye280z]

I've tried wd 40 , varsol, gas, kerosene,a couple of commercial bug and tar removal products and nothing has worked. The tar is really hardened and nothing seems to soften it up. I don't want to ruin the paint with I am at a loss.

[j.fro]

Warm it up with a hair dryer, then hit it with your favorite solvent.

[SKOOSH1970]

Claybar.....works every time and no danger of damaging the paint....WD40 is a good shout too.

[boxxster]

Originally Posted by redeye280z

I've tried wd 40 , varsol, gas, kerosene,a couple of commercial bug and tar removal products and nothing has worked. The tar is really hardened and nothing seems to soften it up. I don't want to ruin the paint with I am at a loss.

Varsol should work. I just removed a ton of tar from my wheels and back bumper with it. Here's what you do. Get an old rag and lightly soak it with a bit of varsol. Then use it to wet the affected area and let it sit for a couple minutes. After a couple minutes, gently rub the area with the damp rag using a gentle circular motion. The key is to keep the tar wet with varsol while gently rubbing at it with the rag. Keep the rag adequately saturated with varsol and gently rub at the tar until it comes off. This make take a few minutes of gentle rubbing but it should all come off. Varsol will not hurt your paint, although it's good practice to hose the area down and apply a nice coat of wax afterwards.

[Luckyed]

I always use a citrus based cleaner. It dissolves the tar and doesn't hurt the paint.
The one I personally use is sold primarily to professional roofing contractors, but it is very similar to Natural Orange or Fast Orange.....just a little stronger.

[Luv2Box]

Goo Gone is another citrus based solvent that I've used for years on tar, dried bugs, cone rash and everything else that ends up on the paint.

[redeye280z]

I will try again I thought of warming it up with a hair dryer to soften it up. I

[Rufcar]

cheap and easiest was is mineral spirits on a rag. done! I once owned a Suburban and a road worker made me drive through wet tar before the chips were added both sides of my car where covered. I used the risky but effective gallon of gas on a rag. Took it right off. Then washed and waxed and was perfect but did take some time! Warming it up is a good idea. So is the clay bar someone suggested. I just did the entire car yesterday with clay then buffed it all out with a wool pad and Drywash and guard. Some of the tar spots were difficult but not impossible.

[redeye280z]

I have quite a lot of tar that got splattered up into the rear bumper and the front wheel wells. If I try to clay bar it out I would probably destroy the clay bar in minutes

[Rufcar]

Then Id heat it a bit to soften then use any of the suggested chemicals that were listed. Sometimes dried tar takes time. As we say while working on a Rolls or Bentley its not a 15 min job! Be patient. Any fine surface scratches from getting off can easily be buffed out.