Road Tar

[Norm B]

Well, it's construction season here and the are doing seam sealing and other road work and I managed to hit some road tar with the passenger side tires. That stuff gets everywhere!

Anybody have a special method of removal that's not too hard on the paint?

[Ray]

I've used "3-in-1" oil, Goof-Off and WD-40. All work but test it somewhere that isn't really visible first. You'll have to rinse well and re-wax the area afterward.

Good luck,

Ray

[Avalanche325]

"Bug and Tar remover" is what I used to use the last time I had a white car. Pretty much all of the car chemical companies, Mequires, Mothers, etc. have a version of it.

I'd use one of those before I put something on my paint that wasn't made for that purpose.

[David Williamson]

Yea bug & tar remover - spray on let it sit for a minute and it will come off.
David W

[Jim1855]

Always used fuel oil and then something like Simple Green afterwards.
Jim

[Papa]

+1 for a shot of WD-40. Works for road stripe paint splatter, too.

[Old Timer]

Bug and tar remover, let it sit, I like to have it out in the sun to help soften it.

rub it off while adding some WD-40 to keep from scratching anything as it comes off.

Be careful, some tar will have fine sand in it. They put it over the tar to keep it from sticking to your tires.

[GoDadGo]

+1 for a shot of WD-40. Works for road stripe paint splatter, too.

+2 on the WD-40, kerosene or gasolene.
.Once clean, wash with Dawn dish soap & re-wax.

[NAZ]

There are a number of products made just for removing road tar (asphalt crack seal) but save your $$ on the boutique products and dig out that can of gasoline. Crack sealer is a petroleum base product and easily dissolved with gasoline. Gasoline was originally produced as a solvent and still work great on dissolving petroleum based muck. Follow that with this: https://www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiar-s-ultimate-quik-detailer-light-paint-cleaning-enhanced-gloss-between and you're good to go until the next wash. I keep a spray bottle of Meguiars Quick Detailer in the shop and in the race trailer. It comes in handy for spot touch-up and since I can't wash my race car with water, this is what I use to "wash" it after each race. Yes, the entire car -- body, wheels, windows and engine are all cleaned with a spray bottle and micro fiber towels.

Now for removing bugs, here's a tip. Use the standard Pledge furniture wax. Melts away bugs and doesn't damage the paint or even poly-carbonate windows. As a former Search & Rescue pilot based in Northern AZ, we used to fly low & slow through the mountains and deserts here in AZ, UT, CO & NM. Spring & summer would bring out the bugs and after each mission we'd have a ton of squished bugs to clean off all the leading edges and plastic windscreens. Pledge made quick work of it and left a protective coating behind that helped to keep bugs from sticking. You or your wife may already have this in inventory so no need to purchase some fancy chicken-giggle sold for 5-time the price.

[Norm B]

Thanks for all the replies. Tried some bug/tar remover I had bought to remove the bugs on my travel trailer. Didn’t dissolve the stuff well. Had a lot of sand in the tar and didn’t want to do any scrubbing. Used a rag soaked in mineral spirits and held it over the tar areas for a few minutes (I tested an area on the curl under behind the side pipe first and no harm to the paint). It softened the tar until soap and water removed it without scrubbing. Going for another drive today. Google maps show construction where we want to go so I will probably get to do this again. Built the car to drive it and won’t get to do much of that if I wait for perfect roads.

Norm

[rich grsc]

Thanks for all the replies. Tried some bug/tar remover I had bought to remove the bugs on my travel trailer. Didn’t dissolve the stuff well. Had a lot of sand in the tar and didn’t want to do any scrubbing. Used a rag soaked in mineral spirits and held it over the tar areas for a few minutes (I tested an area on the curl under behind the side pipe first and no harm to the paint). It softened the tar until soap and water removed it without scrubbing. Going for another drive today. Google maps show construction where we want to go so I will probably get to do this again. Built the car to drive it and won’t get to do much of that if I wait for perfect roads.

Norm
That's the right attitude to have!:D

[lance corsi]

I’ve had good luck with Goop waterless hand cleaner. Because it’s a gel, it will stay put on vertical surfaces. Obviously clean afterwards with a mild soapy solution.

[Norm B]

As expected, more road tar today and about 100K bugs. Car actually smelled like cooking bugs when we stopped for groceries on the way home after a 2 1/2 hour drive. Nice drive through the country makes all the stress of our current situation go away. Get out and drive guys. It feels good!

Norm

[j.miller]

Yep, for tar Gas is the quickest then diesel or kerosene , turpentine, mineral spirits....For the real sticky bugs I like my Mossberg 500 Tactical with #7 shot. Bugs LITERALLY disappear....As usual only about 50% of my information is worth following...you choose...da Bat

[Norm B]

I do have a Remington Wingmaster 12 gauge but no #7 shot. Choices of shells are currently limited to trap and skeet, some #4 magnum steel for goose hunting and SSG for home invading varmint removal. I think the trap and skeet is probably the best for removing bugs from the rad. The other shots are too big to pass through between the cores.:rolleyes:

Will try soaking it with bug and tar remover first.

Norm

[TMartinLVNV]

Yep, for tar Gas is the quickest then diesel or kerosene , turpentine, mineral spirits....For the real sticky bugs I like my Mossberg 500 Tactical with #7 shot. Bugs LITERALLY disappear....As usual only about 50% of my information is worth following...you choose...da Bat

Jeff, after removing the sticky stuff from paint, what do you recommend? I was thinking clean the area with quick detailer then re wax. Is there anything else?

I have a Remington Versamax Tactical semi auto that I can get 8 shots off very quickly. That will teach those bugs to run into my car.:cool:

[rich grsc]

A propane torch takes the sticky tar right off, then a quick buff with some 400 grit.

[j.miller]

Jeff, after removing the sticky stuff from paint, what do you recommend? I was thinking clean the area with quick detailer then re wax. Is there anything else?

I have a Remington Versamax Tactical semi auto that I can get 8 shots off very quickly. That will teach those bugs to run into my car.:cool:


Yeppers ! A little clean & wax, bob'syeruncle you're back in biz...….Really,Semi,8 shots...NICE !!! Barrel length ?

[j.miller]

A propane torch takes the sticky tar right off, then a quick buff with some 400 grit.




Some peoples kids...I tell ya. FIRE'S NOT THE ANSWER TO EVERYTHING RICH !!! …..good fun though.

[Railroad]

I cannot believe you guys do not use a pressure washer, 12,000 psi knocks that stuff right off.

If anything gets stubborn the sand blaster gets fired up.

[Ducky2009]

Gas works great, I use it. Just remember, it is a carcinogen --- can cause cancer. It's not actually the gas, it's the additives like benzene that are bad. Absorbed through the skin. Wear gloves and wash us well, you and the car afterwards.