Tar removal

[bojans]

I have washed, iron xed, and washed again my wife's van. There are several small tar deposits on the paint. My plan is to clay, polish, Klasse AIO and SG tomorrow (can't believe I took a day off to detail a minivan). Do I need to use something else to remove the tar or will the rest of the process do it ( they are very small bits)? If I need to remove it what should I use that I can source locally?

[SANTA3013]

Wd-40

[thebamboo23]

TarX

[DaHen]

I had good results using Stoner's Tarminator.
Try not only by spraying the area but also spraying what ever product you use onto a rag and hold it up against those small tar deposits.

[BrianMcLeod]

Wd-40

WD-40 also used it on a car that had it all over the bottom of it and it got the tar all off

[dano126]

I use de-alcoholized mineral spirits. small amounts, test first, clean cotton towel. Sorry about the spelling.

[KillaCam]

Nothing beats tarminator. Melts the tar away so quickly.
I tried using WD40 a few months ago and it left a huge mess and left the paint with an oily film that wouldn't completely come off. Won't ever use that crap again for detailing.

[Radarryan]

The products that I see recommended consistently for tar removal are:

Auto Finesse Oblitarate Tar & Glue Remover (http://www.autogeek.net/auto-finesse-oblitarate.html)

CarPro Tar X Tar & Adhesive Remover (http://www.autogeek.net/carpro-tar-x-600ml.html)

1Z Einszett Anti-Insekt Bug + Tar Remover (http://www.autogeek.net/1z-einzett-bug-remover.html)

Stoner Tarminator removes bug residue, tar, tree sap, gum and more from automotive surfaces! bug & tar remover, auto spot cleaner, car bug & tar (http://www.autogeek.net/tarminator.html)

Sorry, I haven't had any personal experience with any of them, but from reading a lot of write-ups and reviews I have seem these recommended the most. Happy detailing!

[theblob640]

+1 for TarX. It is as easy as spray on, let dwell, and wipe off.

[A-train]

Tarminator or Tar X. I personally prefer Tarminator out of the two. I think tar x works better for removing wax on trim.

[van185]

Tarminator and a pastic razor blade if a rag won't remove the tar. I've tried several different tar removers but Tarminator is the best that I've used.

[Woob]

Tarminator, heatgun if the tar is very old and won't remove.

[jstammer]

Tarminator for me as well. Also, an old gift card or expired credit card work well if you don't have a plastic razor blade. Just keep the area you are working on wet.

[PiPUK]

As I explained elsewhere (several times now), WD40 is inappropriate for detailers as it specifically leaves a persistent film of oils. The film is extremely water resistent and tough to remove, as one poster has already noted. WD40 is fine for a spot or two but it is a highly compromised approach for large scale decontamination.