Son of a bitumen

**Big Dave** · 9th January 2009, 12:27

My $200 riding jeans are splashed with the liquid road from the ride yesterday - big tar spots all up the outer leg and thigh.

Been through the wash and I'd call them pretty ruined - unless any of you girls know how to get the stains out?

**wysper** · 9th January 2009, 12:28

Originally Posted by Big Dave

unless any of you girls know how to get the stains out?

Brave, brave man. Possibly dead, dead man soon.

**Big Dave** · 9th January 2009, 12:30

Originally Posted by wysper

Brave, brave man. Possibly dead, dead man soon.

You don't ask blokes important shit. You want sensible - ask the girls.

**vifferman** · 9th January 2009, 12:32

Originally Posted by Big Dave

My $200 riding jeans are splashed with the liquid road from the ride yesterday and I'd call them pretty ruined

If they're riding jeans, does it matter if they're not pristine? Save them for riding in similar conditions.
Have you tried a drycleaner?
Alternatively, I'd try a succession of progressively less aggressive solvents/cleaners: petrol or kero or "Kumcleen" (a paintbrush cleaner containing toluene and xylene), blotting the stains with rags so the tarry stuff doesn't spread too much, followed up by a brakecleaner (most of which are now drycleaning fluid), then wash them again.

**Big Dave** · 9th January 2009, 12:34

Originally Posted by vifferman

If they're riding jeans, does it matter if they're not pristine? Save them for riding in similar conditions.
Have you tried a drycleaner?

I only just ferkin' washed them. Dry cleaners huh - good idea - I went to one of them once in the 80's.

If it's serious riding I wear leather. If it's riding somewhere for business eg - clean helps.

**MSTRS:Me** · 9th January 2009, 12:36

Originally Posted by vifferman

If they're riding jeans, does it matter if they're not pristine? Save them for riding in similar conditions.
Have you tried a drycleaner?

Silly you. These jeans are his best dress ones. The 'ridgies' are currently festering under the dog kennel to add that little je ne c'est quoi...
Try eucalyptus oil - it works on chewing gum.

**Bass** · 9th January 2009, 12:36

It may be too late now that they have been through the wash but maybe not.
"De-solve it" is your friend.
I use it for de-tarring the bike. It is designed as a general purpose cleaner and just rinses away. It takes chewing gum out of carpets and all that sort of stuff. Usually sold in trigger packs by most of the big hardware chains (Bunnings, Mitre 10 etc). It is a clear liquid in a clear pack - really effective.
Good luck.
Note that the item to be cleaned must be dry to start with - if not, the cleaner emulsifies immediately and loses its effectiveness

**vifferman** · 9th January 2009, 12:38

Originally Posted by Big Dave

I only just ferkin' washed them. Dry cleaners huh - good idea - I went to one of them once in the 80's.

If it's serious riding I wear leather. If it's riding somewhere for business eg - clean helps.

Tar is soluble in most other petroleum-based liquids. The problem is that you don't want it to spread and make the stain bigger (but you knew that), hence the need to stick a cloth behind it to suck the tar/cleaner solution away.

Our local drycleaner's an ex-biker - I bet he'd know what to use.

**Sully60** · 9th January 2009, 12:39

Originally Posted by vifferman

"Kumcleen"

Isn't that what the curtains are for?

**Big Dave** · 9th January 2009, 12:40

Yeah - have some desolve it under the sink - oranges huh - who'd a thunk it.

**vifferman** · 9th January 2009, 12:42

Originally Posted by Sully60

Isn't that what the curtains are for?

I'm always careful to avoid the curtains...

"Kumcleen" is actually very useful stuff to have in your gargre - it's a pretty good solvent. However, given that 95/96 is now basically the same thing but with heptanes and other lighter organic solvents in it, it's a better (cheaper) option.

**Trumpess** · 9th January 2009, 12:47

Hi Dave ... you maybe to late for the drycleaners to try and do anything for you because you have washed them. Pretty much set the tar good an proper

Just the sam it is worth a try, technology may have changed.

If all else fails, Id call the council and lay a complaint. perhaps charge them the bill for the ruined pants? They may laugh at you but its worth a try.
The damage pot holes do to a car is justifyable, I think your complaint is justafyable too!
Surely they would have some compensation plan for misdeminors concerning their property?

Just a thought.

**Pussy** · 9th January 2009, 12:49

Try kerosene, Dave

**Big Dave** · 9th January 2009, 12:54

Points to Bass. Step forward to collect the golden petticoat award! :-)

Lighter fluid reasonably effective.

De-Solv-it 99% effective.

Store that one away in the knowledge vault.