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How do you get tar off your car?
There has been a ton of road construction in my area this year, and some tar has gotten on the sides of my car. I have heard that you can damage your paint if you leave it there—or if you use the wrong thing to try to remove it. So, how do I get the tar off my car without ruining the paint?
Lynell Spencer · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Road construction comes with a lot of inconveniences, but nothing is worse than having the road stuck to your car!
To safely remove tar from your car, you need a microfiber cloth and either peanut butter, WD-40, or a tar removal product like CarPro Tar X Tar and Adhesive Remover.
Make sure you are working in a well-ventilated area and wear sleeves and goggles to protect your eyes and skin. Here’s what you need to do:
- If you’re using peanut butter, spread it on the tar spots and let it sit for 10-15 minutes, then remove it (and the tar) by rubbing in a circular motion with the cloth
- With WD-40, spray it onto the cloth and wipe the tar carefully
- If you choose a store-bought tar remover, follow the directions on the package
For the best results, work in an area that has mild temperatures (around 60-75 degrees). Here are some other tips:
- Tar will have asphalt and gravel in it. Rub gently to avoid scratching up your car’s paint.
- Don’t apply remover everywhere at once. Work on one small area at a time to keep removers from collecting dirt, getting gummy, or evaporating
- When you are finished, wash your car thoroughly
It is clear that you want to protect your car and keep it looking and running great.
Jerry
can help make sure you have the right insurance at the best price. Just browse a selection of competitive quotes and Jerry helps handle the rest—including canceling your old policy upon request. MORE: How to remove bugs, tar, and sap from your car
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- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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