Part of car maintenance is making sure that the surface is clean and protected from foreign substances. One of the peskiest stains are tar marks coming from unfinished roads. These are the bumpy brown to black marks that splash on the bottom parts of the car along. Tar can ruin your car surface if not treated immediately. The good thing is that it’s very easy to remove, and it can save a lot of money as tar removal is usually paid on top of a regular car wash. Read on below to learn how to remove tar from car.
Step 1: Loosen the tar
Removing tar from other substances like bugs and sap is different because tar is oil-based. Know the right substance to use because home remedies can loosen the tar but damage your car surface. A lot of articles online can easily publish a bunch of recommendations on how to remove car from tar, but it is best to leave everything to the experts. The best solution is to still apply tar remover for a minute or so, depending on the instructions. Avoid using tar removers under the rain, snow or in very harsh sunlight that can make the substance dry up faster than normal. Wait for the prescribed time and do not leave the remover on for too long.
Step 2: Wipe the tar off
The next step on how to remove tar from car is by gently wiping off the remover and the tar with a soft microfiber cloth. It is very important that the cloth used is clean and free from fluff and holes. Wipe the product off in slow, circular motions and wipe more rapidly if needed. Do not be tempted to scratch off the tar with your nails on top of the cleaning cloth. Try to get as much tar as you can, but once the remover is gone, do not attempt to remove the tar on its own. Repeat the first step if possible but do not wipe off more than needed if the tar does not come off. Patience is key.
Step 3: Clean the surface
Once you are satisfied in removing the tar, make sure you clean the surface to remove any residue left from the tar or the tar remover. It is advisable to get a full car wash with a reliable shampoo, or you can just clean the surface if your car is still clean. This last step on how to remove tar from car is vital, yet is often ignored by many. After washing, dry your car with microfiber cloth or a pressure dryer. Make sure there are no dust particles left so you can proceed to car protection.
Step 4: Give an extra layer of protection
Getting tar on the car is normal and will most likely happen again and again, especially if you pass by the same routes. Now that you know how to remove tar from car, the next step is to protect your car surface from getting further damage by getting an extra layer of protection. Make sure that you wax your car every month with high quality wax that repels most foreign substances. You can also apply three-step protection along with car buffing to remove surface damage like oxidation and discoloration.
