Was out early this morning cleaning the car when I noticed little black specks from bumper to rear on the car. To me it looks like tar possibly from a trucker, or road construction? Anyone else find this on their car? Tried using meguires final detail, but that didn't work. I know their are some bug/tar removers like turtle wax. What else can I use? WD-40? I know I'll get it off one way or another, but still sux.
give goo gone a shot, i used it a large amount of it on my car to get the butyl rubber crap off after i debadged. I know it softens up most alkyl polymers like tar and it didn't do anything to my paint or clearcoat.
Ive got something in my garage that I use from time to time called "Bug and Tar Remover" it works pretty well on sticky situations like that (no pun intended, of course). I second giving a clay bar a shot.
mere's car has a bunch on it from the track day a couple of weeks ago at CMP. Last time, we claybar'd it and it was as good as new. Claybar + fresh coat of wax = happy car -- Brian
Paint thinner works great! We used to use the stuff all the time when we detailed cars (at a shop), it won't hurt your paint. Make sure to wax the car after.
I picked up a can of Mineral Spirits from Ace to remove chewing gum from my car. I see no reason it wouldn’t work on tar. Just do a small area at at time, wash immediately with soap and then wax that area after cleaning. Apply it with cotton balls or those little cotton pads. Also don’t fire up a cig while using it… Note to gum chewers: swallow! or wrap it up and put it in your ashtray. Please don’t toss it out the window on a 90 degree day. It’s really nasty on the side of a car.
thanks for all the suggestions everyone! yeah i think i'm going to go the claybar route. its never been done since i bought it last Feb so it wouldn't hurt anyways. hell i have those damn black dots even on my windows.
if clay bar doesn't work +1 for bug and tar, I couldn't find the name of the stuff Amy from SELOC carries in her trunk, i've seen that work on everything (she has a white car) also if you ever have nastys (oily stuff) on your windows clay bar works wonders