Awful stubborn tar - help

[BRISTOL86]

Picked up a used car recently and it appears to have not had a proper wash in years. Didn't notice it at first as it's a dark car but all around the car on the bottom of every panel is the most stubborn tar I've ever come across on any of my cars.

There's properly solid baked on spots of tar all around the car, and so I picked up a tar removing cleaning product and went at it expecting to spend an hour or so getting it all off.

2 x 2 hour sessions later I've only managed to get it off of a few panels, still haven't touched the doors or rear bumper. It really is the most stubborn st I've ever come across!

Any tips on how to get this off properly? I am no stranger to a bit of elbow grease but was hoping someone might be able to share a better technique/product than mine.

I'm using a CarPlan tar remover. I don't think it's a bad product per se it's just that the stuff is so baked on where it's clearly been there for months/years without being properly washed. Also I was using it in conjunction with cold water whereas I guess warm would probably aid it's removal a bit more.

Cheers for your help

Martin

[mneame]

Autosmart Tardis is your friend for this one. A good warm wash down first (to help soften it a bit wouldn't hurt either) and dry well. Spray the tardis on and leave to dwell for 5 mins. Then go over with a microfibre cloth. Reapeat as needed. Then I like to give it another wash before claying the car. Follow up by polishing and sealing the paint with a good lsp.

hth,

Matt.

[BRISTOL86]

Thanks, that looks great having done a bit of Googling!

Seems like it's a pretty potent product - lots of info about having to take lots of care to avoid skin contact etc...what's your personal experience with this, is it just being a bit over the top?

Also i'd quite like to use it on the alloys as i'd like to take them off and give the back/insides of the wheels a good clean and they're also covered in tar.

Any experience of using this product on wheels?

Thanks!

[klimakool]

going back and forth from tar and glue remover to clay bar and back again usually does the trick for me. it helps that i can have them at a working height on a ramp tho

[mneame]

BRISTOL86 said:

Thanks, that looks great having done a bit of Googling!

Seems like it's a pretty potent product - lots of info about having to take lots of care to avoid skin contact etc...what's your personal experience with this, is it just being a bit over the top?

Also i'd quite like to use it on the alloys as i'd like to take them off and give the back/insides of the wheels a good clean and they're also covered in tar.

Any experience of using this product on wheels?

Thanks!

I use it all the time. It's a great product. I would recommend getting some of the latex gloves to wear and avoid breathing in the airborne spray when using it. Other than that it's a great product. You can spray it all over the panels and the wheels without problem. Just make sure you give it a good clean from Plastics and Rubbers.

I usually buy it in the 5 litre tin to make it more economical to buy. Most detailing stores sell it. You may be able to buy it direct from Autosmart as well but I'd have thought they have a mimimum order.

[BRISTOL86]

mneame said:

BRISTOL86 said:

Thanks, that looks great having done a bit of Googling!

Seems like it's a pretty potent product - lots of info about having to take lots of care to avoid skin contact etc...what's your personal experience with this, is it just being a bit over the top?

Also i'd quite like to use it on the alloys as i'd like to take them off and give the back/insides of the wheels a good clean and they're also covered in tar.

Any experience of using this product on wheels?

Thanks!

I use it all the time. It's a great product. I would recommend getting some of the latex gloves to wear and avoid breathing in the airborne spray when using it. Other than that it's a great product. You can spray it all over the panels and the wheels without problem. Just make sure you give it a good clean from Plastics and Rubbers.

I usually buy it in the 5 litre tin to make it more economical to buy. Most detailing stores sell it. You may be able to buy it direct from Autosmart as well but I'd have thought they have a mimimum order.

Perfect, sounds like just what I'm looking for! Have ordered some online!

[mneame]

Keep us posted and let us know how you get on.

[Nightmare]

and as you suspect, warming panels first will make huge difference to amount of effort then needed

[steve_bmw]

petrol! best stuff ever for removing tar, put some on a soft cloth and wipe over the tar, removes even the hardest tar in seconds!
wash after use then wax!