Cleaning tar off?

[OddDuck]

As per the title... hot summer, cheap roading, keep coming back with bike lightly sprayed in road tar. It's getting annoying.

People's thoughts / experiences / recommendations for quickly and safely getting the tar off again?

[caseye]

Prep sol, takes tar, oil, other nasties but leaves paint alone. Most commercial paint places will have it.

[AllanB]

De Solv It

You can get it any supermarkets, Mitre 10 and the likes.

Smells good too - spray a bit on and let it soak then warm water rub. I've been using it for years. It's also good for removing sticker adhesive.

https://arrowhygiene.co.nz/products/de-solv-it?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=Google%20Shopping&gclid=CjwKCAjwvbLkBRBbEiwAChbckT82fS1bQ9vEYS7yiiYl nZAR5VCjYri2T-dVKPKmsoM9I_PWg6PgthoCbf8QAvD_BwE

WD40 is also good for removing tar.

[pritch]

WD40 is also good for removing tar.

Exactly, why buy something extra? WD40 or the equivalents from CRC or Supercheap. Since they are all apparently based on kerosene that probably works too.

[Subike]

Exactly, why buy something extra? WD40 or the equivalents from CRC or Supercheap. Since they are all apparently based on kerosene that probably works too.

kerosene, easy quick clean. use all the time to groom vehicles of all sizes

[caspernz]

Kerosene.
Diesel if kero is too expensive for your liking.
Both will need soapy water to remove residue, more so with diesel.

[AllanB]

Exactly, why buy something extra? De-solv-it can be used on almost everything I have discovered - surfaces and materials I'd not squirt WD40 on, so in that respect it's good to have in the house. And it smells nice. :niceone:

[YellowDog]

Is use white spirit to get most stuff off. Kero, if it's a bit tougher.

[FJRider]

Is use white spirit to get most stuff off. Kero, if it's a bit tougher.

In the old days ... we used hot soapy water ... much cheaper.

[OddDuck]

I got curious so ran a small back-to-back test with De-Solv-It, kerosene, and CRC 5.56. Haven't made the effort to obtain Prep-Sol since my day job makes running around the shops difficult.

Yeah, they all work. Actually the most effective fastest was the CRC.

I like the De-Solv-It most, seems to be the most compatible with my cleaning routine and a little $10 bottle should last a season or two.

[Trade_nancy]

Butter on a warmish panel will remove tar..well works for me.

[Owl]

People's thoughts / experiences / recommendations for quickly and safely getting the tar off again?

What caseye said. Prep-Sol or "Wax and Grease Remover" is what we use in the trade to remove silicone and tar from motor vehicles. Why? Because it works, has a usable working time and then it dries without leaving residue...sort of.

[Sarahaw]

I think all you want is a bug and tar remover (https://motoringessentialsguide.com/car-care/best-tar-remover-for-cars/) that works without leaving residue or blemish. I’ve also had excellent results with De Solv It, Armor All and CRC 5.56. I like the fact that they’re multipurpose and they perfectly work for cars, tools, equipment and around the house. They also remove stuff without damaging paint.

[FJRider]

I got curious so ran a small back-to-back test with De-Solv-It, kerosene, and CRC 5.56. Haven't made the effort to obtain Prep-Sol since my day job makes running around the shops difficult.

Yeah, they all work. Actually the most effective fastest was the CRC.

I like the De-Solv-It most, seems to be the most compatible with my cleaning routine and a little $10 bottle should last a season or two.

WD-40 and CRC 5.56 are both good for tar removal.

White spirits will do it well too.

[pritch]

WD-40 and CRC 5.56 are both good for tar removal.

White spirits will do it well too.

I'll second that. Most of us have a water dispersal spray, CRC 5.56 or whatever. It works fine on tar, why buy something else?

[jellywrestler]

i'll go simple green, works better than any bug and tar remover

[Owl]

i'll go simple green, works better than any bug and tar remover

Interesting. I think Simple Green's one of the most useless products I've ever used. Using it concentrated now just to get rid quicker.

[Dak S83]

Kerosene or CRC work well, I use kero on the trucks alloys.

[jellywrestler]

Interesting. I think Simple Green's one of the most useless products I've ever used. Using it concentrated now just to get rid quicker.

i have a problem with oils from trees on my van, i live in the bush, simple green is better than anything else for removing it, i use it concentrated. i also use that in my ultrasonic cleaner too, as it's water soluble to rinse off.

[Danger Mouse]

i have a problem with oils from trees on my van, i live in the bush, simple green is better than anything else for removing it, i use it concentrated. i also use that in my ultrasonic cleaner too, as it's water soluble to rinse off.

what sort of oils? i have this nasty tree that keeps dropping a white sticky sap on my car that then goes rock hard (like bird shit) on the outside, but still like chewing gum underneath. its a pain to get rid of. Ill give simple green a crack.

[FJRider]

I'll second that. Most of us have a water dispersal spray, CRC 5.56 or whatever. It works fine on tar, why buy something else?

I'd advise people to not spray it around wheel bearings though ... the sealed or otherwise.


I've seen that done a few times. I just hope it doesn't get in.




A simple Warehouse squirty bottle with dish-washing liquid (and warm water) in it ...and a soft cloth ... is cheaper .

Some of that canned stuff can't be good for the paint. Your bike ... you choose.