Tar spots

[LordGrover]

Cleaned the car properly for the first time in a couple of months at the weekend and it feels horrible behind the front arches in particular - lots of raised tar spots.

Are all the tar removal products equal or is one better than others?
I have autoglym intensive tar remover - came as part of a 'set' many years ago but never used. I hope it doesn't go off.

[DoubleSix]

I'd clay them off personally.

[belleair302]

Tardis is your best friend here from Autosol.

[marc147]

Another vote for autosmarts tardis, brilliant stuff and really easy to use

[Concerned cat]

White spirit does a wonderful job. Wipe the panel with a loaded cloth, leave for 5 minutes then wipe off. Cheap & effective.

[belleair302]

Then re wash and wax......

[Martin_M]

DoubleSix said:

I'd clay them off personally.

This.


I have a lot of the other products which also work but claying is the quickest for me.

[nickg123]

Claying to remove tar spots is a waste of clay as you can't re-use it, it'll also marr the paintwork far more than a chemical that you simply spray on and either rinse or wipe away. Autosmart Tardis, CarPro Tar-X or even Autoglym intensive tar remover will help... WD40 and Petrol have also been known to work but I wouldn't use them on my car.

[DoubleSix]

I take you point about it ruining the clay, I only clay my car once a year so no biggy. But I've certainly never marred my paint work doing it.

Generous lube and away you go.

[LordGrover]

nickg123 said:

Claying to remove tar spots is a waste of clay as you can't re-use it, it'll also marr the paintwork far more than a chemical that you simply spray on and either rinse or wipe away. Autosmart Tardis, CarPro Tar-X or even Autoglym intensive tar remover will help... WD40 and Petrol have also been known to work but I wouldn't use them on my car.

I knew if I left it long enough, I'd get the answer I wanted.
I'll try the Autoglym ITR on a small section later and report back.
Thanks all.

[Craikeybaby]

I didn't find the Auto Glym Intensive Tar Remover to be that great. Will try a spray on and leave type product like TarX next time.

[Martin_M]

nickg123 said:

Claying to remove tar spots is a waste of clay as you can't re-use it, it'll also marr the paintwork far more than a chemical that you simply spray on and either rinse or wipe away. Autosmart Tardis, CarPro Tar-X or even Autoglym intensive tar remover will help... WD40 and Petrol have also been known to work but I wouldn't use them on my car.

I'm not trying to be funny but what do you use clay for? I've just clayed my whole car today and tar spots were primarily what I was removing from most panels. Once I've used clay for anything - tar spots or otherwise it gets binned anyway. The Intensive Tar Remover requires considerable elbow grease as well.

[DoubleSix]

Martin_M said:

nickg123 said:

Claying to remove tar spots is a waste of clay as you can't re-use it, it'll also marr the paintwork far more than a chemical that you simply spray on and either rinse or wipe away. Autosmart Tardis, CarPro Tar-X or even Autoglym intensive tar remover will help... WD40 and Petrol have also been known to work but I wouldn't use them on my car.

I'm not trying to be funny but what do you use clay for? I've just clayed my whole car today and tar spots were primarily what I was removing from most panels. Once I've used clay for anything - tar spots or otherwise it gets binned anyway. The Intensive Tar Remover requires considerable elbow grease as well.

Totally, claying off tar spots was a revelation compared to traditional methods.

Maybe OP should also try this on a small area and report back...

[Squiggs]

Tar = soft sticky stuff that grit can stick to.
Clay = smear tar and move grit around causing scratches.
Chemical = disolve tar .... then wash grit off. Then clay.

[Martin_M]

Squiggs said:

Tar = soft sticky stuff that grit can stick to.
Clay = smear tar and move grit around causing scratches.
Chemical = disolve tar .... then wash grit off. Then clay.

If that's your experience then I suggest you use more lubricant. If done properly you shouldn't have any scratches...which is why I've been claying my cars for years and why most quality valeting companies also offer the service.

[DoubleSix]

IME the clay envelopes the hardened tar and any grit and you can physically feel the tar letting go, never known it to smear when claying...

[LordGrover]

Right. Job done. Very happy.
Tried the autosol intensive tar remover first. Followed the instructions and it worked supremely well. I was fairly generous with the solution, wiping on with a clean rag, leave for a minute or two and wipe off. No rubbing or real effort required.
That was late last night and it was dusk when I finished, turns out I missed a few spots which I spotted while I was claying this morning. Claying worked okay but was more effort than tar remover.
A great product imo.

[Martin_M]

Glad you got it sorted - will have to try that autsol stuff if you found it easier than the clay!

[Roverload]

Tardis is awesome, but wd40 does just as good a job.

[Jon1967x]

I use the AG product to get the worst off then clay. It seems logical to me in the same way snow foam helps shift a lot of dirt before washing with a sponge. You can skip the first step, many do, but it lowers the risk of a scratch if you don't skip.