Safe tar removal from vinyl stripes

**DetailKitty** · 03-25-2014, 08:52 AM

Ok, asking for someone else...

What would you all use to remove tar safely from vinyl hood stripes on a car?
Would you use a bug and tar remover? Goo Gone? Or would you consider these not safe to use on the vinyl?

**refreshauto** · 03-25-2014, 09:53 AM

following this one, i have a car coming up with some vinyl stripes as well

**Andr3wilson** · 03-25-2014, 10:26 AM

AM900 or most silicone removers are good. Melts away everything no harm to vinyl.

**FUNX650** · 03-25-2014, 11:02 AM

First...On a "test spot":
-Gently wipe with 3M Citrus Base Cleaner;
-Or, gently wipe with a portion of a soft cloth that's been dampened with one of the following solvents:
Kerosene, mineral spirits, or VM&P naphtha.

If one of these methods proves successful...
Remove remaining tar.
Follow-up with a good car-wash shampooing session...using gentle methods, as usual.

Good Luck to that person.

Bob

**DetailKitty** · 03-25-2014, 06:48 PM

Thx for the responses gang.
I like to give good advice on my car forum to people.

BTW- what is AM900?

**Andr3wilson** · 03-25-2014, 06:59 PM

Aero max 900. It's a solvent based silicone remover. Aerosol on and wipe off. It's what I use to decon matte finish cars and remove tar from everything. I think is around $20 a can. You can find it at a body shop supply store.

**DetailKitty** · 03-25-2014, 07:08 PM

So this guy on the other forum is saying to NEVER use solvent based products on vinyl... "It breaks the sheen down and pulls the color out of it".

Any truth to this?

**Andr3wilson** · 03-25-2014, 07:14 PM

Depend on the type of vinyl. I have never seen that happen. Salt and sun in way harder on automotive/factory vinyl than solvent. Also depends on the solvent you use. Methyl Hydrate melts paint, but this won't.

**FUNX650** · 03-25-2014, 08:27 PM

Originally Posted by DetailKitty

So this guy on the other forum is saying to NEVER use solvent based products on vinyl... "It breaks the sheen down and pulls the color out of it".

Any truth to this?

Depends on the solvent. (Remember to tell this guy that water is a solvent---The Universal Solvent, at that!)

As I previously mentioned, I would only use these solvents to clean tar from those vinyl stripes:
Kerosene, mineral spirits, VM&P naphtha...
I'll add heptane...But no other type of solvents.

In fact:
Most vinyl film/decal manufacturers say to help restore the finish/sheen on these vinyl films/decals...
To use a diluted IPA/water mixture...another solvent.

Best bet would seem to be the 3M Citrus Base Cleaner.

Bob