Removing road tar from vehicle

[jessef]

Went through a contruction zone last week unaware of fine asphalt tar that sprayed on the sides of our rig. During the week, it sat in the baking sun. Now I can't get it off, even with a hard brush and mild grease remover. Not even with fingernails.

I know there's some good detailers here. Any input ?

[Luna-Sea]

I use some spray from canadian tire,
comes in a green bottle,bug and tar
Remover.
If you wanna go medival on it a can
Of super pre Polish stripper is about
15-20 bucks from a auto store,can't
Remember what it's called.Can list it later if you don't figure it out.

Right on!

[jessef]

Tried it. This tar is baked on from sitting the sun on black paint.

It won't scratch off with fingernail, plastic scraper or using grease remover.

Short of using a wet SOS pad, I may need to rough up the clearcoat.

[jessef]

Falco, can you chime in ? I know you take care of your deli's paint religiously

[Artacoma]

Naptha

Campstove gas

[nvanadm]

This is the best product I have ever used. I started using it before I moved to Vancouver and ran out while living out there. It was one of the first things I bought when I got back.
It's called LiquiTech Finish Prep. It's a multiple step prep and wax, but the prep is what makes all the difference. I tried many different products while living in BC and NOTHING came close. It will take ANYTHING off with surprisingly little effort.
You can't buy it in stores but here is where you can get it from...
Doug's Ultra Shine
519-351-0404
Or you could try getting it right from the source (maybe, not sure)
LiquiTech corporation
P.O Box 1520
Beaver, WV 25813
1-800-637-4527
You won't be disappointed, this stuff is unbelievable.

EDIT: Oh, and it has a money back guarantee... and you can order right from the website (didn't know that) http://www.finishfirstpolish.com/products/

[jessef]

Thanks for the responses.

Ian is going to come by and look at it. Very generous of him. Thanks bro.

[mararmeisto]

An application of WD40 might be cheaper.

[FalcoColumbarius]

Diesel on a soft cloth. I usually wax before I go so tar and bugs tend to come off easier in the first place.

Falco.

[jessef]

I tried the following, all unsuccessful :

diesel
wd-40
solvent
bug/tar remover
super clean green
clay bar
fingernails
small plastic woodshop soft chisel
had a detail shop look at it, pick at it and they wouldn't touch it

I wasn't kidding when I said that the tar was literally 'baked' into the clear coat.

There 'was' a heavy wax coat on and the clear coat is thick (old school vehicle).

The only thing that worked was a soaking wet SOS pad. I killed the wax and have a dull/swirly clear coat now.

Ian is going to look at it tomorrow and assess the situation which reminds me of when delica-owner-strangers used to help out each other.

This is what this community and forum used to be about. People like-minded that have a love for Delica's. This is for those that weren't here during the good delica.ca days when the first 10 pages were all discussions/contributions and were usually followed by this symbol :

Thanks Ian

[fishslapper]

I have all the stuff to buff it back to a nice shine if you ever come out to 176th street area !!! Free of charge for you buddy !


cheers

[konadog]

Try various types of oil.

[BCDelica]

Just noticed this post - careful use of heat gun and acetone, though I've used a lighter, carefully heat the tar and then soak with acetone. Or nail polish remover if you have it on hand. I'm sure it was this method, as I first learned it, using white spirits which I think is just paint thinner.

Is acetone what you used as a solvent?

[FalcoColumbarius]

Just noticed this post - careful use of heat gun and acetone, though I've used a lighter, carefully heat the tar and then soak with acetone. Or nail polish remover if you have it on hand. I'm sure it was this method, as I first learned it, using white spirits which I think is just paint thinner.

Is acetone what you used as a solvent?

White Spirits is indeed Paint Thinner, it's the English term for it.
Acetone is pretty hardcore, I'd be careful when using it. Gasoline would be a better suited solvent but I think I would still use diesel. Don't expect instance results. This sounds like a repeat process.

As far as the heat gun it concerned, could work as heat is pretty much how the tar got in in the first place. However, just remember that the primary design purpose behind a heat gun is to remove paint.

Falco.

[mararmeisto]

As far as the heat gun it concerned, could work as heat is pretty much how the tar got in in the first place. However, just remember that the primary design purpose behind a heat gun is to remove paint.

Falco.[/color]

By extension of the the paint being removed, wouldn't the tar be gone also, though? <wicked grin>

A hair dryer might be a better device to use as it won't get as hot and is less likely to damage the paint. Or park the vehicle in the hot sun at White Rock around lunchtime and then attack the tar spots.