tar removal help!!!

[gypsyboy]

ive come to wash my car this morning and to my horror there are loads of pin prick size bits of tar and im gutted.

ive bought some tar remover auto glymm and is not seeming to shft it any tips or advice please???

[ocrp]

T-Cut usually does the job, but go easy with it, or it'll strip your paintwork.

[gypsyboy]

cheers i have thought of that,would it be ok on metallic?

ive made them smaller but they are very stubborn

i have tried a few things bt dont want to ruin my paint.

[ocrp]

Just had a look at my bottle. It says, "for metallic finishes, use T-Cut Metallic Colour restorer." So there you have it.

For something less harmful and more pleasant to use, try Turtle Wax Bug and Tar remover. Works great on bird too!

[gypsyboy]

thanks i will try t cut then.

i dont think turtle wax tar remover will be much better than auto glymm version so wont bother with that.

[pugboy]

Tcut will do the job. I have never, ever known it to harm the paint.

Tcut metalic is surely just watered down Tcut and as such probably wont cut the mustard.

[kermitfrog]

Yup, normal T-Cut is absolutely fine, even on metallics.

A tiny ammount is all you need and the tar will come away no problem. Virtually no rubbing required.

Have had same problem recently with really fine tar streaks - must be hot weather.

T-cut and quick wash later, cars as good as new!

[gypsyboy]

ok cheers guys so try normal t cut.

i rubbed a pin prick down and it seemed to bleed into the paint it quiet stubborn.

i will let you know how i get on.

[Rustynuts]

[ QUOTE ]

Tcut will do the job. I have never, ever known it to harm the paint.

[/ QUOTE ]

Try T cutting a red car with a white cloth, and see just how much paint it removes. This is how T cut works. It removes the top (oxidised) layer of paint, revealing new paint underneath. Do it enough and you have no paint left.

If you use it on laquered cars you don't see the damage as the laquer is invisible. The damage is the same though.

[ocrp]

Couldn't have said it better, Rustynuts. Who needs to try a red car? I remember using it on a white car (the tar shows up the most on those). There was white paint everywhere. It gave me quite a shock.

I would only use it as a last resort, and even then very sparingly.

[pugboy]

You would have to use loads and rub very hard for ages to remove a true layer of paint.

If it had removed the laquer then wouldn't you get a dull area?

There are two approaches to using Tcut. The first is to just put some on a cloth and rub. The other is to dab some Tcut on and leave for a minute. You will then find the tar will come off easier and with hardly any pressure from the cloth. Which is worse for the paint its anybodies guess!

I've used Tcut on pretty much every car I have ever owned including the Passat. I've also used it on brand new cars that have been scratched and it hasn't left any marks or dull patches.

Id use it for scratches without hesitation, but its not ideal for tar removal. However I would imagine that most other products that could remove tar also wouldn't be much good for the paintwork. You could just scrape it off with your nail, but then you would probably have to polish the area afterwards.

[Rustynuts]

You don't have to use loads, it's an abrasive cutting compound. It's function is to remove paint, not to polish or protect paintwork. Use it for restoring your paint, or before re painting perhaps (to remove any wax polish and oxidation) but don't use it to keep your car looking nice and shiny. All you do is thin the paintwork layer.

Wet and dry paper will remove tar spots aswell. I wouldn't use that method either.

[gypsyboy]

hello rustynuts are you saying dont use t cut??

or use t cut metallic?

cheers

[Rustynuts]

I wouldn't use T cut on my car, but I'd use it on my old van with dull white paintwork which didn't really matter, and would look better if it was shiny.

[gypsyboy]

ok rusty but i have a problem with tiny tar spots so that is the need to use t cut.

ive done a fe and it does work and the finish still seems ok.

[gypsyboy]

otherwise what do you recommend for tar removal?

[Calm Chris]

Petrol on a rag, tar is oil based, so nearly any spirit will help.

Meths works well, just make sure to re- wax, polish etc after.

Spirit will lift all types of finishes from the paint work.

Try a sample paint area (in engine bay or boot) rub with it first.

[gypsyboy]

cheers for that bit of info.

i think im going to keep on with the t cut it is working at the moment and the metallic is still looking good.

i just cant believe how stubborn tar is,i was most dissapointed with auto glym tar remover.

[ocrp]

I have found that nail varnish remover can be good to remove black scuffs on bumpers. The only problems is it faded the black trim at the bottom. Now it's gone a gray colour.

Anyone know of a good plastic trim colour restorer?

[pugboy]

The best plastic trim restorer I have found to be the black liquid (carplan trim restorer I think its called). However it will mark the paintwork if you are not careful! It works much better than the clear liquid's, but is very messy.

[sparky2076]

i always use wd40on a rag seems to work most of the time without rubbing your paint away

[pugboy]

Thinking about it I reckon some petrol on a rag gets off most stuff and probably wont damage your paint.