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Thread: Cleaning tar off?

  1. #1
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    Cleaning tar off?

    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?

  2. #2
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    Prep sol, takes tar, oil, other nasties but leaves paint alone. Most commercial paint places will have it.
    Every day above ground is a good day!:

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    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/...hoCbf8QAvD_BwE

    WD40 is also good for removing tar.

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    Quote Originally Posted by AllanB View Post
    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.
    There is a grey blur, and a green blur. I try to stay on the grey one. - Joey Dunlop

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    Quote Originally Posted by pritch View Post
    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
    To be old and wise, first you must be young and stupid.

  6. #6
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    Kerosene.
    Diesel if kero is too expensive for your liking.
    Both will need soapy water to remove residue, more so with diesel.

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by pritch View Post
    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.

  8. #8
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    Is use white spirit to get most stuff off. Kero, if it's a bit tougher.

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    Quote Originally Posted by YellowDog View Post
    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.
    When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...

  10. #10
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    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.

  11. #11
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    Butter on a warmish panel will remove tar..well works for me.

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by OddDuck View Post
    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.
    Nunquam Non Paratus

  13. #13
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    I think all you want is a bug and tar remover 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.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by OddDuck View Post
    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.
    When life throws you a curve ... Lean into it ...

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by FJRider View Post
    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?
    There is a grey blur, and a green blur. I try to stay on the grey one. - Joey Dunlop

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