How can I remove road tar from paint

[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