amdaman 5 Report post Posted October 13, 2013 Hi guys, Cleaned my car the other day and noticed thick tar buildup on the alloys.. Not just dots but heaps of it. Took it to the cleaners and their acidic alloy cleaner didn't touch it. Went and bought some alloy cleaner and wd40 today, hardly made a dent! Is there anything that will dissolve large amounts of this stuff easily? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
C-130 Hercules 571 Report post Posted October 13, 2013 (edited) I used Jif once. That helped to get rid of the most stubborn stuff. There is also special tar remover / paint cleaner out there that does a reasonable job. Thereafter just use elbow grease and clean regularly. Edited October 13, 2013 by C-130 Hercules Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duvey 245 Report post Posted October 13, 2013 I found kero and turps works quite well. If WD40 isn't working though, not sure how much help that'll be. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amdaman 5 Report post Posted October 13, 2013 Jif.. Interesting! You could see the wd40 was trying to do its think but there was simply too much tar! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
allan 295 Report post Posted October 13, 2013 Have used petrol and an old cloth put the petrol on the cloth and start rubbing the petrol dissolves the tar then use another cloth to wipe away what is left over. Just be careful not to over due it or the clear coat may suffer. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HaNs 226 Report post Posted October 13, 2013 White spirits, wipe it on, leave for 5 mins and wipe off! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Allanw 1071 Report post Posted October 13, 2013 ...wipe it on, leave for 5 mins and wipe off! There is the secret - wait, while it soaks. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cliffdunedin 8 Report post Posted October 13, 2013 Heat gun/hair dryer to soften the tar, then use a solvent or wd40, soak and then elbow grease! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
central3 31 Report post Posted October 14, 2013 Hi guys, Cleaned my car the other day and noticed thick tar buildup on the alloys.. Not just dots but heaps of it. Took it to the cleaners and their acidic alloy cleaner didn't touch it. Went and bought some alloy cleaner and wd40 today, hardly made a dent! Is there anything that will dissolve large amounts of this stuff easily? Simple - turps + let it soak + soft faced scraper + turps + let it soak + wipe off Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amdaman 5 Report post Posted October 14, 2013 Thanks guys, will go to bunnings and spend some quality time with my alloys this weekend! 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted October 14, 2013 Have used petrol and an old cloth put the petrol on the cloth and start rubbing the petrol dissolves the tar then use another cloth to wipe away what is left over. Just be careful not to over due it or the clear coat may suffer. This. Petrol eats tar! Make sure you wear gloves and try not to smoke when doing it. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Phil-540i 166 Report post Posted October 14, 2013 Thanks guys, will go to bunnings and spend some quality time with my alloys this weekend! Mmmmmmmmmmmm - quality time with alloys - I've spent a few hours in the shed bonding with mine too........... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hybrid 1043 Report post Posted October 14, 2013 If you want to do it properly with out damaging paint or clear coats use Meguirs Tar and bug remover .. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apex 693 Report post Posted October 15, 2013 It depends on how bad it is, the Meguires stuff or other wont work on some really bad baked on tar! A bottle of proper tar remover is worth having though, good to use on recent tar marks etc. Depending on what the wheels are, if its layered on I'm guessing they are not that great a looked after a wheel anyway so petrol should not do any noticeable damage. Kerosene would be my first try, then petrol. DON'T USE PETROL ON BODY WORK THOUGH! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 583 Report post Posted October 15, 2013 Kerosene works wonders. Be really careful with turps, as it's easy to chew through the clear. Plus it's best to use gloves with turps. Regarding tar remover; I purchased some from Repco, and I'd be very surprised if it wasn't just watered-down and pressurised turps. Certainly smelled the same. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
amdaman 5 Report post Posted October 15, 2013 thanks guys, just got some Kerosene and a spray bottle. I'm going to tackle it at the weekend. I've been half tempted to get them refurbished but wondering who will do it as I believe the finish is polished. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
central3 31 Report post Posted October 15, 2013 Kerosene works wonders. Be really careful with turps, as it's easy to chew through the clear. Plus it's best to use gloves with turps. Regarding tar remover; I purchased some from Repco, and I'd be very surprised if it wasn't just watered-down and pressurised turps. Certainly smelled the same. Beg to differ but I have been using turps to remove tar for a very long time - my paint/clear finish has never suffered - quite the opposite in my experience - I should have added though that my process is to wash the surface first and after rinsing off with water apply turps with a rag - allow time for the tar to soften then wipe over again with another turps sodden rag - wash again with soapy water - never used gloves but this may explain the 6th finger I have grown 1 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
HaNs 226 Report post Posted October 15, 2013 I had to clean my entire Black A3 with white spirits due to tar from road works, paint work felt like 80 grit. The white spirits worked perfectly. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CSET 583 Report post Posted October 17, 2013 Beg to differ but I have been using turps to remove tar for a very long time - my paint/clear finish has never suffered - quite the opposite in my experience - I should have added though that my process is to wash the surface first and after rinsing off with water apply turps with a rag - allow time for the tar to soften then wipe over again with another turps sodden rag - wash again with soapy water - never used gloves but this may explain the 6th finger I have grown Haha ok I stand corrected! I had an Audi years ago that I used turps to clean the boot, and a fair amount of clear came off with it. That car had serious issues however, so there may have been some corrosive material on the paint already. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
