How to Remove Tar From Car Paint

Unfortunately, tar is a relatively common vehicle blemish that can potentially cause permanent damage to your car's paint job. The typical source of tar stains comes in the form of road asphalt mixed with grease or oil. While not as easy to remove as more commonplace debris such as dirt, mud or dust, you can easily remove tar from your vehicle if you have the right tools. Avoid traditional cleaning solvents that could tarnish or remove your car's paint.

Things You'll Need

• 100% Cotton Towel
• Cooking Oil
• Nail Polish Remover
• Cotton Ball
• Non-petroleum Cleaner
• Non-abrasive Sponge
• Soap

Instructions

1. Dip your sponge in soapy water. Use it to clean the area around the tar stain. Remove as much tar as possible.

2. Raid your kitchen for cooking oil or cooking grease. Apply a fair amount to a cotton towel. Apply circular motions to the tar until the stain is gone.

3. If cooking oil proves unsuccessful, head to your bathroom. Find your nail polish remover. Use a cotton ball to apply the nail polish remover to the tar stain and use circular motions until it is gone. When done, use soap and water to remove the nail polish remover. Extended exposure could cause detriment to your car's paint job.

4. Drive your car (and the tar stain) to your local automotive retailer. Purchase a non-petroleum car-friendly cleaner such as DP Cleanse-All or Stoner XENIT. Use a cotton towel and the cleaner to wipe away the tar stain.

5. Take preventative measures and have your car washed and waxed. The wax will act as a barrier between your paint and any future tar stains. This will make it easier to remove tar from car paint in the future.

Tips & Warnings

• Repeat each step twice before giving up on it as a solution.

• Don't delay. Remove tar stains from your car as soon as possible. The longer tar stains linger on your car, the harder they will be to remove and the more likely they will cause damage to your car paint.