How to Clean Tar Off Of Your Car

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allen November 3, 2007 at 12:16 am: To take tar off of your car spray on engine cleaner. Spray, let sit for 15 minutes then lightly rub with your fingers until loose. Then rinse off with hot soapy water and re-wax as it takes the wax off too.

Caution, do not apply in sun and do not let it dry or it will damage your paint!
wayne galliher December 4, 2007 at 2:14 pm: I have always found that WD-40 does a good job. Just spray on, wait about a minute then rub off. You may need to apply again for tough spots. Rewax after.
Stewie Hayes December 11, 2007 at 6:35 pm: Sap from most trees can be cleaned off using Turpentine
Joey April 28, 2008 at 2:31 pm: I seen this online and my car had a lot of tar on it after my we ran over what we thought was water. So we used WD-40, you just have to spray a large amount until its pretty damp on it. Then wait for a good 3 to 5 minutes on it. Then take a dry rag and start working on it. You may have to do it more then once but it will come off. For larger amount of tar on the car, just put a heaver amount on it more then once. It will come off, next wash, dry and re-wax. I didn’t believe but it work and also there no damage on the paint itself. Remember use a rag (teary cloth.
Andi May 9, 2008 at 9:01 pm: Try using gasoline to take off tar. It removes it fairly easily, without messing up your paint job.
dannydo August 23, 2008 at 10:48 am: WD 40 or Diesel are the best and easiest to use. Diesel for larger deposits. Wash and re-wax afterward.
Rochelle Poyner August 23, 2008 at 2:57 pm: When I have been staining wood and get the stain on my hands, I just spray WD-40 on them and it comes right off.
Don Gassman August 23, 2008 at 3:53 pm: All of the above have the capability of causing paint or clearcoat damage. I recommend that you try regular mayonaisse before any other product. It requires a little elbow grease but it works not only for road tar but tree sap, etc.
Lori September 10, 2008 at 10:33 pm: I use Honda Motorcycle cleaner. It is safe for all types of paint, rubber, plastic, etc. You just spray it on and wipe the tar right off, no rubbing. I discovered this while on vacation when a truck dumped tar all over the front of my vehicle and windshield. It was rubbing trying to get it off the paint and windshield and decided to try the cleaner. All I did was spray it on and wiped it off. I had all tar removed within minutes.
Rosie September 14, 2008 at 9:22 pm: How to remove bugs off your hood
Use a damp dryer sheet like bounce it’s easier than bug and tar remover!
S DAVID HARTSELL September 23, 2008 at 3:32 pm: In regard to using gasoline to clean bugs off of the hood, etc. Please be very very careful due to the high flash point of gasoline! It could cause severe burns, even death!
freecia September 26, 2008 at 5:26 pm: Detailing clay is a great way to clean residue off your paint, too. You can get kits in the car section at most *marts and auto stores.
Carl September 27, 2008 at 11:29 pm: I’ve used Goop hand cleaner. The one that comes in cream, not the one that comes with pumine cause obviously it will harm the finish of the car. Just pour it in a terrycloth and rub the tar, you will be amazed…
Chris September 28, 2008 at 9:19 am: I’ve read all of the helpful hints that everyone has “attempted”. Love the one about Mayo….go figure. However, being an auto buff myself and the paint is a very big concern of mine, I use a clay bar on my vehicle at least 2 times a year to remove everything you can;t see, including road tar and blacktop.
A clay bar kit can be found in an auto parts store for roughly $25 for the Mequires set, which I find is the best. Once you start and begin the process, you’ll just want to keep going on every car you own. It’s very effective and this prodeuct is second to none with first class on your mind the whole time. It pulls all of the particles in the pits in your paint job you can’t even see, including the tar, etc. Give it a shot…I swear by it and will never use anything else. Especially living in the northeast, everyone shouold use this on their vehicle at least once/year, then reapply a clearcoat wax and a regular wax coat. It takes time, but if you really appreciate your vehicle and want to make it last, you have to invest a little time.
Joshua June 16, 2009 at 12:08 pm: I wonder if Goo-Gone or Magic Erasers would work?
Jude Blevins July 5, 2009 at 10:45 pm How to get rid of mud stains on a vehicle: hello, I have a white work truck that Im in the woods with alot,how do I get rid of the mud stains on my truck?
danny July 9, 2009 at 12:18 pm none: someone pured latex primer (white) primer all over the back end of my red pick up truck is the a good way to remove it i could realy use your help in this matter.ty
eddyz August 7, 2009 at 10:22 am car cleaner: To remove latex paint – simply try a pressure washer before any solvents. I’m dealinf with fresh tar from road construction and I’m trying Simple Green tonight. I’ll update with the results!
Patti August 17, 2009 at 7:22 pm: I tried goop creme hand cleaner after reading the suggestions and it worked wonderfully in removing the tar from the paint on my car and with minimal effort. Thanks for the suggestion!
brock October 25, 2009 at 5:31 pm peanut butter: Belive this are not peanut butter will take off tar on your car/truck and WD-40 and diesel works good to but using peanut butter you never get hungry while doing the job lol