Removing tar from paint?

[Jadephoenix]

We have a 2022 Velocity Blue XLT.

A while ago we were driving through Detroit and they were resurfacing a couple of lanes on the highway. At our next stop, we noticed that tar had gotten on the front bumper, grill, front fenders (about halfway up the windshield), and the lower part of the front doors.

Right away we tried to start cleaning what we could get off. Right now, there’s still some on the front bumper and the lower part of the front fenders.

We have tried several basic ways to remove the, but do not know what else to use that will not damage the paint. Has anyone else experienced this or something similar? Any suggestions?

Apologies that I do not have any pictures for reference. I thought we took some at the time, but cannot find them at the moment.

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[malicoreon]

Sorry to hear about the tar mess, that’s never fun!

Here are a few tried-and-true products that you can find on Amazon and work great without damaging the paint:

Top Bug & Tar Removers (Safe for Clearcoat Finishes):

• Stoner Tarminator – Super effective, especially for heavy deposits. Just spray, let it dwell for about 60 seconds, then gently wipe with a microfiber. It’s body-shop safe and won’t mess with your clearcoat.
• 3D Bug Remover – Eco-friendly and enzyme-based, great for bug splatter and lighter tar. Works well if you’re going for a more natural product.
• Mothers Speed Foaming Bug & Tar Remover – Clings to vertical surfaces (like doors/fenders) so it can break stuff down without running.
• Griot’s Garage Bug & Smudge Remover – Very gentle, great for maintenance use and repeated applications.

Tips:

• Wash the area first to remove loose dirt.
• Use a microfiber or a soft bug sponge—no scrubbing with pressure, or you risk micro-marring.
• Always reapply a coat of wax or sealant afterward—tar removers can strip it.

Hope this helps! Let us know what ends up working for you.

 

[Jadephoenix]

Sorry to hear about the tar mess, that’s never fun!

Here are a few tried-and-true products that you can find on Amazon and work great without damaging the paint:

Top Bug & Tar Removers (Safe for Clearcoat Finishes):

• Stoner Tarminator – Super effective, especially for heavy deposits. Just spray, let it dwell for about 60 seconds, then gently wipe with a microfiber. It’s body-shop safe and won’t mess with your clearcoat.
• 3D Bug Remover – Eco-friendly and enzyme-based, great for bug splatter and lighter tar. Works well if you’re going for a more natural product.
• Mothers Speed Foaming Bug & Tar Remover – Clings to vertical surfaces (like doors/fenders) so it can break stuff down without running.
• Griot’s Garage Bug & Smudge Remover – Very gentle, great for maintenance use and repeated applications.

Tips:

• Wash the area first to remove loose dirt.
• Use a microfiber or a soft bug sponge—no scrubbing with pressure, or you risk micro-marring.
• Always reapply a coat of wax or sealant afterward—tar removers can strip it.

Hope this helps! Let us know what ends up working for you.

Thank you so much for the info. Will look into purchasing one of the options. Hopefully be able to find pictures of what the truck looked like at the time so we can get a before/after shot.

 

[Maverick123]

Lacquer thinner will remove that no sweat

It also won't harm catalyzed paint

 

[dalola]

I never miss a chance to promote this stuff, it's the best "do everything" lazy man's paint product ever. Once you try it, you won't use anything else!

https://www.bugslide.com/ (also available from Amazon...)

 

[Escapologist]

I have used WD40 in the past.

 

[Lugnut]

Lacquer thinner will remove that no sweat

It also won't harm catalyzed paint

Why don't you show us how it works? Try some on your truck. If that does not work, try 60 grit sandpaper.

 

[Toddman45]

Obviously wash vehicle first to remove loose dirt and crud, then a product like bug and tar remover or wd-40 work great as well on tar.

 

[Master Blaster]

Goof-Off works great. Its some kind of kerosene-based solvent that is used around the home for removing sticky stuff like label glue on bottles, etc.

 

[Timothyd]

We have a 2022 Velocity Blue XLT.

A while ago we were driving through Detroit and they were resurfacing a couple of lanes on the highway. At our next stop, we noticed that tar had gotten on the front bumper, grill, front fenders (about halfway up the windshield), and the lower part of the front doors.

Right away we tried to start cleaning what we could get off. Right now, there’s still some on the front bumper and the lower part of the front fenders.

We have tried several basic ways to remove the, but do not know what else to use that will not damage the paint. Has anyone else experienced this or something similar? Any suggestions?

Apologies that I do not have any pictures for reference. I thought we took some at the time, but cannot find them at the moment.

I had good luck with WD40. I'd wash it with soap afterwards.

 

[Maverick123]

Why don't you show us how it works? Try some on your truck. If that does not work, try 60 grit sandpaper.

WTH? Do you even know what catalyzed paint is?

Modern car paint is chemically hardened, like an epoxy. Once it's dry, lacquer thinner has zero effect on car paint, unless you painted it with rattle cans ...

EDIT obviously you don't pour thinner all over the car
You wet a rag with the thinner and rub lightly on the affected areas, the tar will come off immediately

 

[Diverguy64]

Lighter fluid on a microfiber cloth works great at getting tar off the paint. Leaves no residue, and does not harm the paint.

 

[FERALMAVERICK]

i use the mothers bug and tar , and wash it with a bug sponge. then wash it all again to get any residue off

 

[Tim d]

We have a 2022 Velocity Blue XLT.

A while ago we were driving through Detroit and they were resurfacing a couple of lanes on the highway. At our next stop, we noticed that tar had gotten on the front bumper, grill, front fenders (about halfway up the windshield), and the lower part of the front doors.

Right away we tried to start cleaning what we could get off. Right now, there’s still some on the front bumper and the lower part of the front fenders.

We have tried several basic ways to remove the, but do not know what else to use that will not damage the paint. Has anyone else experienced this or something similar? Any suggestions?

Apologies that I do not have any pictures for reference. I thought we took some at the time, but cannot find them at the moment.

Gasoline works fine,won't hurt the paint.just re -wax the spot with paste wax when done.

 

[Toadhopper1]

Goobgone works great or WD40

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