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?”
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.
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 WD-40.
I’ve been told that mayonnaise also works well.
My son got tar on a pair of Dickies shorts so I soaked a cotton ball in eucalyptus oil and put it on the stain, then used a cotton tip to get it off, then soaked them for a day in oxy wash solution.
I used baking soda. I pressed – not rubbed – it into the fabric with a toothbrush, then vacuumed it up.
Amazingly enough, the WD-40 worked like a charm to get tar off of car upholstery. Thanks!
Beach tar on a rental car seat – nightmare! The WD-40 trick worked unbelievably well though; you’d never know the tar was there. Thanks, Internet community, for saving my bacon once again!
How would you get tar off of a jersey?
We had a big beach day and my wife jumped in the truck with super thick tar on the bottom of her flip flops which got all over the floor mat. I just used the WD-40 and it worked great! Thanks!!
WD-40 for the win! Hot summer days, parking lots, shoes, sho’ nuff, I also had tar glops on my floor mats.
Dowsed a spot with WD-40, let it set about 30 seconds, and dabbed with a terry cloth rag. Hit the spot again with WD-40, gave it a few to work, and rubbed the spot clean with a rag. Worked on every area! It was harder to rinse the WD-40 out of the mat than to get the tar out! Washed the mats pretty thoroughly with Dawn dish soap after the de-tarring to get any remaining odor of WD-40 out.
Should have taken a before and after pic. No trace of tar.
I followed a post I read and put petroleum jelly on it and rubbed it in, then I used a Mr. Clean Eraser. I had tar on my 1950’s plastic-like kitchen set. Off it came. I did use the WD on my jeans and off it came…great ideas.
Roofing mastic on the truck seat!
My little can of WD-40 was so old it wouldn’t spray.
I tried Murphy’s Oil Soap & a popsicle stick for a scraper & the truck seat looks like it just came from the show room.
I don’t hold any hope for the 100% polyester shirt though.
Just get a nail…because the PRESSURE is so low in an old can of WD-40 and hammer it into the can…and you will be able to USE the residual WD-40, even though you can’t spray it. I put the contents in a small clean little plastic bottle and it comes in handy all the time…and no waste of the old WD-40!! Enjoy!