Tar On My Truck

[Prairiewolf]

What are people using to remove the tiny flecks of tar that accumulate on the sides of their trucks?

I have some of this on mine - curious what works well but doesn't damage the clearcoat.

Thanks.

[J0HN_R1]

TurtleWax Bug-N-Tar remover...

[Sooner]

Any body shop supply store like a Napa carries mild degreasers and they take this stuff off real good and don't harm the paint. We used it when i worked in the trade. Have some in my garage too. Good for light clean up for anything greasy.

[trophybook]

Wd-40 or diesel, used both on my new crestliner 7 years ago and hasn't done any damage. I learned this when I was a kid working on the paving crew in the summers.

[Big_Willy]

Acetone. Doesn't harm the paint and multi purpose.

The stink is temporary compared to some of the other options mentioned above.

Also required if you de-badge vehicles.

Buy it at Princess Auto for less than $10/ litre. Manufactured by Lloyds.

Wear PPE as instructions state. Play safe!


-Willy

[JB_AOL]

I use a clay bar once a year. Works awesome, although it's alot of manual labour.

[uke hunter]

Easiest and cheapest by far is just plain old gasoline! Just wet a rag and rub the surface. Tar will dissolve in the gasoline and wipe right off. Best of all, it completely evaporates unlike diesel fuel and other oils.

[rembo]

We used to use Varsol.......no point getting fancy. Diesel will probably work as well. Barbecue lighter fluid works also.

[Blastoff]

Local car wash should have this, the one I go to will apply it for $3.00 takes off bugs also.

[Sooner]

Originally Posted by uke hunter

Easiest and cheapest by far is just plain old gasoline! Just wet a rag and rub the surface. Tar will dissolve in the gasoline and wipe right off. Best of all, it completely evaporates unlike diesel fuel and other oils.

Works real good on tree sap too.

[sharpstick]

What about all the tiny little rust looking spots that seem to accumulate on the tailgate? Anybody ever have those and use anything to get rid of them? (White truck)

[6mm rem]

Accuchem Oil King

[JB_AOL]

It's already been mentioned.. But Clay bar.

(Please do not use kerosene/gasoline/etc on your paint.., especially if you like your vehicle's paint)..

There is a product iron-x that works really good at removing the iron deposits (rust looking spots), and that is just a spray on and rinse off product.

Just remember that whatever you use, is also removing whatever wax/sealant you had on previously, so you'll need to wax your vehicle right after.

[KGB]

Clay bar. Nothing else touches my vehicles to remove any contaminates. Then an application of Zaino All in one . Paint becomes smooth like baby buttocks!

[ORV]

Goo-gone works on tar.

works great. also for left over tape residue etc.

Orv.

[Big pete]

X2 on diesel....used it on my superduty and it worked really well

[Bartfly]

I have heard that good ol' Coca-cola and a little elbow grease will take that tar right off no problem.

[sjr]

Originally Posted by sharpstick

What about all the tiny little rust looking spots that seem to accumulate on the tailgate? Anybody ever have those and use anything to get rid of them? (White truck)

Go to your local NAPA store and get Body Pro "Liquid Fall Out Remover"
Fallow the instruction works great simple and easy .

[bwackwabbit]

Originally Posted by KGB

Clay bar. Nothing else touches my vehicles to remove any contaminates. Then an application of Zaino All in one . Paint becomes smooth like baby buttocks!

X2

Cheers,

Scott.

[jstubbs]

Originally Posted by ORV

Goo-gone works on tar.

works great. also for left over tape residue etc.

Orv.

x2.

I wouldn't recommend Varsol (it's freaking paint thinner after all) or gasoline. Diesel likely isn't a good idea either, although nearly every time I fuel up my diesel a few stray drops get on the paint beneath the filler cap and I notice no paint imperfection from it.

[KegRiver]

WD-40 or Diesel.

When I worked on highway maintenance that is what we used. If it was particularly bad we did use Brakleen but that was a last resort as it can damage paint.

If it's road tar, you may be able to wash it off if you get it before it drys.

All road tars and asphalts are water based these days. And they stink !

[270person]

Don't use any of the petroleum based suggestions above. Very simple. Almost any liquid auto wax, I use white Simonize, will do the job. If you only have flecks it won't be difficult at all.

DO NOT use anything containing with d'limonene - most orange smelling solvent tar removers contain it and I'm pretty sure Goo Gone does as well. It'll strip clear coat.

[58thecat]

Gas on a rag!

[Dean2]

Originally Posted by Big_Willy

Acetone. Doesn't harm the paint and multi purpose.

The stink is temporary compared to some of the other options mentioned above.

Also required if you de-badge vehicles.

Buy it at Princess Auto for less than $10/ litre. Manufactured by Lloyds.

Wear PPE as instructions state. Play safe!


-Willy

WRONG big time. Acetone woill remove your clear coat in no time flat and your paint in only a little more. Works fine on glass, aluminum, stainless steel but NEVER on a painted surface. Also, the fumes are VERY volatile. The smallest spark and Kaboom.

For real light flecking a clay bar works well. If you have heavy blobbing, you can wash it off if you get to it right away. If it has already set up, I use diesel or Kerosene to take off Tar. Apply lightly, let sit, wipe off with soft cloth so the tar doesn't scratch the paint. Gas works well too but Kerosene and diesel is not near as volatile, and none of the three will harm clear coat. You will need to re-wax after wards.

[uke hunter]

Originally Posted by KegRiver

WD-40 or Diesel.

When I worked on highway maintenance that is what we used. If it was particularly bad we did use Brakleen but that was a last resort as it can damage paint.

If it's road tar, you may be able to wash it off if you get it before it drys.

All road tars and asphalts are water based these days. And they stink !

Road tar and asphalts are NOT water based! These are hydrocarbon based as they, themselves, are hydrocarbons! These never have nor will they ever be water based.

[bb356]

[Big Lou]

Green FX Rhino Wash

Pretty spendy but zero wiping required. Swirl marks drive me batty. Clay bar is a fantastic item as a semi regular treatment.

[Thumber]

Another vote for wd40. I then use ISO propyl alcohol to clean up the wd40


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[colroggal]

Dawn dish soap, hot water and a microfiber cloth. Coat liberally with elbow grease.

Or clay bar. Again with the elbow grease.

Colin

[Prairiewolf]

Update:

Went with Goo-Gone. Fantastic stuff - sprayed it on, left it for 5-10 minutes and the tar spots wiped off with little/no effort.