What's the best way to get road tar off?
#13
+1 on the kerosene. Pour some on a rag and gently wipe over the surface. Keep wiping and it will eventually work it's way into the tar and remove it. Tar is oil based. Kerosene will remove it. I would not use gasoline as it will eat away your paint rather quick and it's abrasive also, I would not scrape with a putty knife. Kerosene actually helps lubricate when you wipe and will prevent scratches. Once you are all done, make sure you put a few coats of wax over the treated area because any solvent will strip any wax off of the clear coat. I've used paint thinner before, but only on commercially painted vans to remove decals. Never on a noral painted car. That stuff is toxic to lungs and finishes.
Last edited by dirtydog; 12-22-2008 at 02:53 PM.
#15
#16
I used to have a white jeep and it seemed that it was a magnet for tar. I tried all types of bug and tar removers with moderate success. At the time my wife sold Avon products and suggested that I try the Skin So Soft hand lotion to remove the tar. Willing to try anything once, I applied it to the tar and let it sit for 5 minutes. Much to my surprise, it removed the tar very easily. No harsh chemicals, no harsh rubbing and a little cheaper then the commercial bug and tar removers.