San asked: “I have light gray fabric car seats. I have a black tar stain about the size of a nickel. I haven’t used anything except a cloth to wipe up the tarry residue. This was probably a mistake since it smeared. Unfortunately this is a new lease car, so I can’t afford to do anything that will ruin the seats. How do you get tar off fabric car seats?”
Table of Contents:
Removing Tar with WD-40
Removing tar with WD-40 is the most popular removal method with a high level of success.
You Will Need:
- Plastic spoon or knife
- WD-40
- Soft cloth
- Water
- Mild soap
Steps to Remove the Tar:
Wet tar stains are easier to remove than dry tar stains. If the stain has dried, it can still be removed but it will require more persistence.
- Start by using the plastic utensil to gently scrape away as much tar as possible.
- Next, spray a small amount of WD-40 on the tar.
- Gently work it in by rubbing the area with your fingers. You may need to let it set for a minute or two.
- Wipe away the tar with a soft cloth.
- Repeat as necessary.
- When the tar is removed, clean the area with water and a mild soap to remove any residue from the WD-40.
- Dry completely.
Additional Methods to Remove Tar
If you are hesitant to spray oil on your seats to remove the tar, consider one of these options.
You Will Need:
- Plastic spoon or knife
- Choose a removal agent:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Dry cleaning solution
- Baby oil
- Glycerin solution (1 part glycerin to 1 part water)
- Soft cloth or cotton balls
- Water
- Mild soap
Steps to Remove the Tar:
Wet tar stains are easier to remove than dry tar stains. If the stain has dried, it can still be removed but it will require more persistence.
- Start by using the plastic utensil to gently scrape away as much tar as possible.
- Moisten a cotton ball or soft cloth with water and gently dab the area to wet the tarred area.
- Next, moisten some cotton balls with the chosen removal agent and gently dab to apply it to the tar stain.
- You may need to let it set for a minute or two.
- Use a clean cloth or cotton ball to blot the area. You should start to see some of the tar coming off.
- Continue applying the removal agent and blotting to remove until all of the tar is gone.
- When all of the tar is removed, clean the area as normal to remove any residue from the removal agent.
- Allow the area to dry thoroughly.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- Though safe for most upholstery types, you may want to test a small, hidden are to ensure that there are no adverse affects to the fabric and/or colors when the removal agent is applied.
- Lighter fluid can also be used in some situations. Be sure to use with caution as it is highly flammable.
- Peanut butter has a natural oil that has been useful in removing tar. Simply apply it to the area, allow it to sit and then remove and wash as normal.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I just got my fabric car seats recovered to the tune of $1,000. The dogs stepped in tar and hopped all over the seats (front and back) at my son’s ball game. I can’t believe how well this worked–they look fine. The tar came off so well, it was like magic. Another miracle cure via WD40.
removing tar from car upholstery/carpet
I’ve been told that mayonaise also works well