[Nitebird]

What do you guys use in order to remove road tar and bug splat from the surface of your cars paint?

Is there a cheap home remedy that you guys use?

[TedRamAirII]

Originally Posted by Nitebird

What do you guys use in order to remove road tar and bug splat from the surface of your cars paint?

Is there a cheap home remedy that you guys use?

Road Tar I've used wd-40 and/or baby oil. Bug Splats I've used quick detailer and dryer sheets or micro fiber towels.

http://www.autogeek.net/remove-bugs-and-tar.html

[lemansboy70]

I've used Bugs-B-Gone with good results. The secret is to rub lightly with a cloth as not to push the gunk into the surface.

Water activates it, so don't be discouraged if it looks like its not doing anything when you apply it.

[Mike Fowke]

Lacquer thinner on road tar. It's cheap, but removes wax and polish too.

[1968GTO421]

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[78w72]

Originally Posted by Mike Fowke

Lacquer thinner on road tar. It's cheap, but removes wax and polish too.

lacquer thinner will damage most paints...

i use charcoal lighter fluid on road grime & bug guts, works great & won't damage paint. also works good on decal & sticker residue.

[61-63]

Diesel removes road tar. Elbow grease for bug splat.

[JC455]

WD-40

[FrankieT/A]

Lighter fluid for cigarette lighters works real good. Won't hurt paint but does remove wax. Basically naphtha. Been using it 30 years, never a problem.

[johnta1]

WD-40 and the baby oil is the best.
(as others said)
Baby oil also works on kids when they ride a bike thru a freshly tarred road.
(ask wife how she knows)

No damage to paint, easy to buy and probably cheaper.

Easy cleanup.

And can use for other applications.

[grandville455]

baby oil take off rubber on quarters

[johnta1]

YEP!

[Mike Fowke]

Lacquer thinner won't hurt clear coat, which most cars are painted with these days. I wouldn't try it on anything else though. I even used it to remove the transfer from hitting a tire carcass when nothing else would touch it. No worries.

[mrrat1]

I've used rubbing alcohol on tar and stubborn stains......then wash and wax afterwards!

[JonW]

For bug guts, I use Surf City Garage's Road Grime Destroyer. Spray it on, let it soak for 3 minutes, hose it off. Most of the bugs come off. I hit the stubborn ones with a sponge. And it won't remove wax, I asked them that specific question.

For tar, I use Honda Spray Polish. Makes quick work of it and leaves a nice slick finish.

Neither one are home-made, but both do a superior job with no chance of harming the paint. You get what you pay for.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by Mike Fowke

Lacquer thinner won't hurt clear coat, which most cars are painted with these days. I wouldn't try it on anything else though. I even used it to remove the transfer from hitting a tire carcass when nothing else would touch it. No worries.

lacquer thinner is too "hot" to use on any paint IMO. it ate the tire rubber very fast which is why it worked ok before harming the paint. yes, you might get away with a small amount here & there, but let it sit for awhile or rub too hard for too long & it will eat clear coat too. its also used to clean paint & clear from spray guns so i just prefer to not use it on paint.

[tooski]

A long time ago I heard of and used phosphoric acid. Most common use is mixing it with rum. Not too sure I'd try it on a high end paint job.

[johnta1]

Well, nitebird, what did you use?

[coonhunter70]

The best for bugs is simply a wet microfiber towel!!!!!

[Jerry H.]

3M Bug and Tar remover in the red can. Ask for it at your paint jobber.