My road was recently repaved, and the crew managed to direct local traffic over a section that had just been sprayed with tar . Naturally, our vehicles got well covered with the stuff. The road crew gave out cans of " tar and bug remover", but it barely touched the tar. I also tried mineral spirits , but it worked poorly. Then it occurred to me to try gasoline, and it worked like a charm ! None of the above solvents damaged the base coat/clear coat paint. Use due caution , of course , using gasoline. Don't smoke, and don't even open your car door .
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Removing road tar
- Thread starter Bill325
- Start date
I'm glad the petrol worked. Gasoline is amazing stuff. Just want to add that a friend of mine worked at a mortuary. He said they never washed the limos, but instead wiped them down daily with a kerosene dampened cloth
Diesel fuel may be less dangerous to use, although I don't know if it dissolves tar as well, since I suspect it's the volatile hydrocarbons in gasoline that do most of the dissolving. My other problem with diesel is the strong odor that does not evaporate within a few minutes as does gasoline. You'll have to wash down your vehicle after using diesel, and the whole ground area is going to stink for days.
That's what the paving crews you to clean their equipment...Never use gasoline to clean anything.
Many years ago good friend burnt down their home and lost everything, they were cleaning car parts in the driveway with gas (outside) and the next thing they new they had a fire so out of control that family members barely escaped the house with their lives. In a matter of few seconds it was out of control, fumes ignited. Btw-It was in the winter when this happened. I would be ten miles from anything that would burn.
Many years ago good friend burnt down their home and lost everything, they were cleaning car parts in the driveway with gas (outside) and the next thing they new they had a fire so out of control that family members barely escaped the house with their lives. In a matter of few seconds it was out of control, fumes ignited. Btw-It was in the winter when this happened. I would be ten miles from anything that would burn.
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I too detest the lingering odor of diesel fuel. And it's been probably 30 yrs since I've handled kerosene. Don't remember what it smells like. It is important to point out the danger of using gasoline. Hell, terrorists make bombs out of it, and for good reason. But I've cautiously used it for cleaning. Wide open space, no ignition source near (25 ft min), and let the rags and containers air dry in same shaded open area to help prevent spontaneous combustion. And with all the chemicals in gas, beware of unprotected hand bathing. Other less combustible chemical alternatives include: mineral spirits, paint thinner and any kind of alcohol. I find alcohol pretty useless for the stated problem, but threw it in as an option.
jchefboyardee
New member
WD40 works well for me.