There are some items in your kitchen that may be successful in removing tar. Butter, creamy peanut butter, or vegetable oil applied to the tar and left for 12 to 24 hours should soften in and make it easier to remove. If that doesn't work there are a few items from the garage that may work. WD-40, kerosene, or mineral spirits applied directly to the tar should soften it up and make it easier to remove. WD-40, kerosene, or mineral spirits will most likely remove wax from your car as well.
I tried the baking soda and that did work. However, another item we had around the house worked even better - Simple Green. It's just an all-purpose cleaner and it worked Great! We just sprayed it on and we wiped the tar off like we were wiping off dirt.
The baking soda was amazing. Within a minute or two it softened it right up and I could wipe it off. It also worked well on rubbing off bike tire marks on my bumper.
Goo Gone works great for getting smoke residue off the windows. Wipe it on, scrub a bit, then wipe it off with a dry microfiber cloth. The microfiber is key to getting a streak-free, residue-free shine.
Not sure about on painted surfaces but since it works for painted walls indoors I would guess it might go okay. The Avon bath oil is a good idea - I will have to try it.
Found the bicarb helpful, but when I used Eucalyptus oil poured onto a teaspoon of bicarb that had been placed on a damp rag. The results were fantastic! Much less elbow grease required and a sparkling car afterwards! Work heaps better than a leading brand of tar remover that was useless!
One word, two syllables, GUNWASH! Easiest way to remove tar from vehicle. Use any clean rag with a bit of gunwash. It will smudge on first few passes but with in seconds, boom done. No letting it sit or waiting. Final pass, only swipe in one direction!
I just went out and tried a few of these suggestions and for me rubbing with baking soda first and coming back to the hard spots with vegi oil was great, not my hubby won't let me get a new care cause the problem is solved thanks whoever had this great idea!
YES Baking Soda DOES work! I had 5 spots in one night on my new car, including the windshield and I just put the baking soda on the spots and used a wet rag and BAM it came out. I couldn't believe it! Thanks for the tip!
I tried several things to get the tar (The tar was pretty thick) off my van - Skin So Soft, Car Polish, etc. Then I tried WD40 which worked like a dream. I had to spray it several times, but it really broke up the tar and I was able to wipe it off fairly easily.
I recently got tar on my car from a construction site around my apartment, I was terrified it wouldnt come out and it was a lot of it sprayed on the side.. The car was only 2 weeks old... I knew my hubby would be so upset.. so I saw the recomendation of Skin so Soft by Avon. I knew I had some, so i Got it and a rag and tried it... I was Amazed at how well it worked... I didnt have to rub to hard and it started coming out.
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.
Archives:
Tip: Cleaning Tar From Your Car
Archived on 06/22/2005
Tips for removing tar from your car or trucks finish. Post your ideas.
Responses:
Baking Soda
06/01/2005
Use baking soda to take the tar off your car.
By scabansweeps
Skin So Soft
06/01/2005
My sister drove her vet out from California a few years back and had driven through some oily tar and she could not remove it although she had tried all sorts of things. I suggested she try Skin So Soft, by Avon, and she was amazed! It took it off right away!
By jeanne (Guest Post)
Cold Cream
06/01/2005
Cosmetic cold cream works. Rub on and wipe off.
By siris (Guest Post)
Goof Off
06/02/2005
There is a product called Goof Off made by Lilly Industries that works like a charm. I purchased it at K-Mart, but you could probably find it at other similar stores.
Many years ago I used gasoline on a rag to remove it. Worked quite well. Do it outside rather in a closed garage.
By Syd (Guest Post)
WD40
06/05/2005
We used WD-40 to remove a 'lot' of tar from my son's car one time. It worked great, however, my brother told us that when it comes to repainting it, it isn't such a good idea. We didn't have to do that, so it didn't matter.
By (Guest Post)
Avon Bath Oil
06/22/2005
Nothing takes it off better that Avon Bath oil. Borrow it if you have to. It will amaze you, even if it's been there for a long time. Apply it with a rag, let it sit for a minute and wipe it off. No damage to the paint either.
By Ardis Barnes
Bath Oil Worked
07/08/2005
Thanks for the great tips! I used bath oil, and it came right off, wiped clean, no damage to the paint and it was A LOT of tar.
