Guys,

We drove through some fresh tar on the weekend. And, Im having a #+_)*&%$ of a time getting the stuff off Mrs. Evil's car !!

I tried diesel - works not too bad, but in this heat the fumes just about put me out. (anyone have a Scott Air Pack they could loan me?)
WD-40 doesnt work that good.

Anyone know of a good TAR remover??

Thx.

 

Not Scott, but if I get permission, we've got about 13 MSA's you could use.

 

I guess I should look through the garage before I post. Anyway, maybe this will help someone out.

Found some "Bug And Tar" spray - works pretty good. Also found some "GooGone Automotive Gel". Worked far better than anything else but still required some good ol elbow grease.

 

A few years back I was driving past where they were repairing the road and just as I went past, the workers truck burst a link and sprayed my truck with hot asphalt.
I went to get the information for my insurance company and anyway they called out the supervisor and he said you could remove the hot asphalt with mayonnaise; they clean their trucks with it all the time.
I didn't even try it because my insurance had the entire paint job stripped to the bare metal and repainted but it is worth a try.

It makes sense removing oil with oil, ever notice how clean your fingers are after eating ribs?
and if it doesn't work then your already halfway to a sandwich.
Jim

 

Used to use Turtle Wax bug and tar remover, was a liquid in a can (I think they have some paste versions out now). Took elbow grease, but if you let it soak in for a bit it worked great. If you don't want to do it, you could always hire member Baja's kid: Click here for thread

~Rob

 

I've got a few complete Scott Airpacks for ya, but you really don't need them.

Get yourself some citrus degreaser. Zep makes some, but it is very pricey and not that good (I got it as a sample). You want the kind that when you mix it with water you can create a thick emulsion. Then spray it on the affected area and let it cling. It will break down the tar and you will be able to just rinse it off with a garden hose.

We did about half of a 45" flatbed like this a few years ago. The morons loaded Tremco roofing tar on my cousins truck and punctured about 3 5 gallon buckets. It was all over the main beam, the deck, and the axles. We sprayed it in the morning with the Citrus, went to breakfast, did a little shooting, cut some wood, then came back and rinsed all the mess off with a garden hose.

 

I went to a commercial detail supply house & bought 5 Gallons on commercial tar remover. I think it was like $50. Anyways, if it is just light, I can spray it on & you can see it immediately start to run off. Spray & wipe. If it is a little thick, I spray it on & use a plastic razor blade to get the thick stuff off. Use lots of it so you don't scratch your paint.

 

The best thing I found is coleman latern fluid. It's flamable so be careful, works great and drys real fast. Have plenty of clean towels on hand and be sure to wear gloves. Safe for the paint. Need to re-polish after use. Cuts better then d/f or kerosene, or tar remover.

 

Hey Doc. I grew up in a body shop, the 3rd generation in a row. I called my father and he recommends 3939 solvent. The old 3919 Prepsol was primarily used as a laquer cleaner and might be too rough on a clear coat finish. 3939 is an enamel cleaner and won't harm clears or other finishes. Dad said he uses it all the time on bugs, tar, molding adheasives, etc.

Give that a shot. You should be able to get 3939 enamel clearner at most automotive stores (Autozone, napa, etc.)

He just called me back and told me to put it in an old squirt bottle and soak the whole mess down, but not in the sun. Do it in a cool place. Let it soak then work it with a rag and it should come right off.

P.S. You won't have to RE-POLISH your finish. That would severely stink.

Good luck. JWB

 

Best tar remover on the Planet is Zippo Lighter Fluid.

Hub

 

I've always had good luck with WD-40... Isn't much good for anything else.

Acetone is the final straw I would say. But its not much fun.

 

How can you possibly say WD-40 isn't good for anything! Obviously you don't live on a farm! From lug nuts to throttle cables to the squeeky seat on my 4020, if if is supposed to move and doesn't, use WD-40! If it moves and isn't supposed to, then use baling wire.

 

"ever notice how clean your fingers are after eating ribs?"

Please don't tell me you put Miracle Whip on your ribs

 

WD-40 is a "water dispersent". It was developed by a chemical engineer for the space industry to keep things from oxidizing(rust). So he developed a formula, tried it,...didn't work. Did it again. The 40th formula did the job as specificied. Thus the name WD-40.

Ya, it might help is some other situations, but if you want something to reduce the friction of a rusted, dirty or just a tight fastener use Kroil or a similar product. They're made for that purpose and work much better.

Spray WD-40 on you hand saw or other tools to keep the mild rust from forming.

 

I had some tar on my truck not long after i bought it and i tried a few things. I found out that Simple Green, concentrated without any water added to it worked good for me. I've also had luck with Diesel and Kerosene.