Tar remover

I was washing my car and discovered that I found some tar or something that managed to sling down the side of my car. Well, the Z-7 car wash does not remove it, so I have to resort to a tar and bug remover to get the stuff off. Now, will this take off the Zaino that I have on my car or am I pretty much safe?

I don't use zano or anything, but my best guess is that it will take it off.

Not knowing exactly what brand of tar and bug remove you are using I can not say whether it would remove the Zaino, but it really makes no difference as you will want to wash the area you used the solvent on and re polish (Zaino) the surface anyway.

I remove tar with Stoners Tarminator, it does not seem to adversely effect or dull the surface like other solvents. '

You can also use WD-40 to remove tar and wash with car wash and water after its use.

One of the better tar removal agents is "Pure gasoline". You will have to re-apply protectant afterward following claying ( to removed invisible tar specs from paint, and a wash. Gasoline works as a solvent so saturate an old cotton rag and just wipe off. You will be amazed how easily clumps of tarry material just wipes off ( dissolves ). This method is completely non-abrasive.
All your commerial Tar removers use the same ( solvent ) principle. If you have a lawn you have the best tar remover available ( lawn mower gas can).

lacquer thinner will work the best

I found that store brand bug and tar removers suck.

Originally posted by KillerTA
lacquer thinner will work the best

I found that store brand bug and tar removers suck.

Be careful with lacquer thinner on single-stage paint and older clearcoated finishes.

I have some tiny tar marks at the bottem of the side-panel and inside the rims. Are you sure the gasoline wont hurt the clear-coat? :confused: I drive a 02 hawk and don't want to take any chances. I have all the zaino products and the claybar wont do it. :mad:

I wouldn't use lacquer thinner. That stuff will ruin paint. Guess how I know?

I'd try a liberal amount of WD40. Let it work a couple of minutes, then try the clay.

Originally posted by Drumhawk
I have some tiny tar marks at the bottem of the side-panel and inside the rims. Are you sure the gasoline wont hurt the clear-coat? :confused: I drive a 02 hawk and don't want to take any chances. I have all the zaino products and the claybar wont do it. :mad:

If you are only removing tar from painted areas, gasoline will do the job and not create any ill-effects to the finish. It will require you to re-apply a protectant but that's it. For re-assurance stop by a paint/body shop and also confirm this. I also clay after removing the macro tar spots and wash area with a car shampoo.
You will be pleasantly amazed how will this works, how quickly it works and how paint safe ( solvent activity verses using an abrasive) this method is.

Thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to getting the sticky stuff off my car. I'll try the wd-40 or the gas. ;)

Originally posted by Drumhawk
Thanks for the advice. I'm looking forward to getting the sticky stuff off my car. I'll try the wd-40 or the gas. ;)


Drumhawk,
You're welcome. This would be a great time to do a side by side test of both methods. WD 40 and gasoline. Would you do one and post your results. I have already compared the two. Both work very well, I just found that gasoline worked better. Both methods work by dissolving the tar. Gasoline required less rubbing ( quicker dissolution).
Please post results. This is a problem that all motorist run into once in a while.

Gasoline goes in your tank, not on the side of my car. Stoner's Tarminator. I see no visual affect to the finish but I follow the Tarminator up with a couple of coats of Zaino.

Originally posted by birdblack
Gasoline goes in your tank, not on the side of my car. Stoner's Tarminator. I see no visual affect to the finish but I follow the Tarminator up with a couple of coats of Zaino.


Read the ingredients in Tarminator ( I am sure this is a wonderful product like other products by Stoner). Review your basic HS chemistry and compare these items. Many are derivatives of crude oil ( ie Petroleum distillates).
There is always a market for people to buy commercial items when a similiar product is already at home ( WD40 and gasoline) to do the same job at no cost. Products like Tarminator are great for people who do not own or maintain property ( cut grass, trim trees, bushes, pressure wash stonework, etc). No need to have a can of gasoline laying around. Almost every tool box contains a can of WD40. I guess you can at least brag that you use Tarminator to remove those unfortunate tar spots.
Sign of intelligence, brainwashed by fancy packaging of a product or ignorance about the process and ingredients involved?


Avoided being conned that every process requires a fancy product to get it done.
Not a flame, just a statement of facts.:cool:

Thanks again for the advice blkz28conv, the tar is under the door panels right at the bottem of the side-body and more tar right inside the clear-coated rims. I'm going to do it this week and I'll post results with before and after pics too. It's been there most of the summer but i was scared to do anything that might cause swirl marks in the clear. Thank god you can't really see them except up close and I'm gonna be really happy to see them gone. :D

My only concern is damaging the clear-coated paint or the clear-coated rims. Not worried about removing the zaino cause I'm gonna put 10 coats of zaino on over the winter. :D

It's for sure WD40 won't hurt the paint.

Originally posted by Drumhawk
My only concern is damaging the clear-coated paint or the clear-coated rims. Not worried about removing the zaino cause I'm gonna put 10 coats of zaino on over the winter. :D
Hi Drumhawk,
Since the tar remover ( WD40, gasoline, Tarminator,etc) is used to dissolve ( wiping) the tar and not allow to dwell ( sit) on the involved surface, no clearcoat damage will occur. Just like when you accidently drip gas on your finish when filling your tank, immediate removal causes only protectant ( wax / sealant) removal but clearcoat is perfectly intacted.
The only main concern when removing any tarry substances with whatever product you use is the potential of surface marring created by embedded particles like sand / dirt in the tar. Rub gently and make sure rag is saturated with tar remover ( ie gasoline) for faster dissolution and lubrication.

Hey man i work at a detil shop and we us stoner tarmanater all the time works great if ther is ALOT then i would go with gas just wash it off good after u get the tar off hope this helps :)

Originally posted by GreenGobbler
Hey man i work at a detil shop and we us stoner tarmanater all the time works great if ther is ALOT then i would go with gas just wash it off good after u get the tar off hope this helps :)

Thanks GreenGobbler :bow:

I was hoping that someone with body shop / professional detailing experience would chime in.