Corvette grease/tar removal wheel wells

**Red89gt** · 03-28-2011, 01:23 PM

Picked up a 2010 grand sport and the previous owner drove through some tar. I have successfully cleaned off the rockers on the painted area with some simple bug and tar remover. I now want to move on to the splash guards and wheel wells and need something that will not leave a visible residue behind on the black plastics.

Can you guys help out with something that is readily accessible I can start cleaning this mess up with?

The tar has almost a chewing gum consistancy and I had the rockers cleaned with a rag and elbow grease pretty quickly. It is dried on yet, I can move the stuff around thankfully with my finger nail; however, it isn't loose enough to clean off without some sort of solvent. I tried wd-40 on a cotton cloth in the wheel well where not visible and it seemed like it took a good layer off.

Thanks for the help - Chris

**AeroCleanse** · 03-28-2011, 01:35 PM

Try Dodo Juice Tarmalade

**C. Charles Hahn** · 03-28-2011, 01:38 PM

3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner would be my first pick. A close second would be Optimum Power Clean and a pressure washer, but given how tight it is to access the wells on a 'vette without pulling the wheels off I think the 3M product and a rag will do a better job.

**ShaunD** · 03-28-2011, 01:48 PM

WD-40 should be a good contender. It's primary ingredient is fish oil so if it should damage the plastics. If you have already tested it and no adverse reactions have occurred then stick with it. It's cheap too! To help prevent any discoloration on plastic and rubber when cleaning with any apc dampen the surface first, and put the cleaning chemical on a rag and not straight to the plastic/rubber. Don't be afraid to pull the wheels. It's may reveal somethings that need to be cleaned. I always prefer taking wheels off to clean the inside and backside especially if you are going to seal/wax them(which I recommend).

**ScottB** · 03-28-2011, 01:50 PM

Amazing Roll-Off and Optimums Powerclean would be my first choices.

**WRAPT C5Z06** · 03-28-2011, 02:12 PM

Originally Posted by Shiny Lil Detlr

3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner would be my first pick.

I have the aerosol version of this stuff and love it!

Nice ride, by the way, red89!

**BillyJack** · 03-28-2011, 02:23 PM

Good ol' mineral spirits or even kerosene works about as well as anything, and won't hurt paint or plastics

Bill

**Red89gt** · 03-28-2011, 02:52 PM

Thanks everyone.

Great information, appreciate it all. I will be pulling the wheels without a doubt.

Found all of this mess while doing a brake pad swap. I spent quite a few hours getting the wheel barrels cleaned and the calipers. Ceramic pads went on to cut the dust down. I should have taken before and after shots, I will moving forward. The car only has 4k miles and should clean up better than when delivered new to the previous owner. Going to get a 3401 and full arsonel of detailing product from here shortly for this car and the rest in the garage.