Just noticed when cleaning both our white cars, that those pin-holed sized black spots have appeared again this year. They are covering the lower paintwork from the bottom of windows to the cills.

 

Did not see them until today, but as clear as day with my reading glasses on - hundreds of them!

 

I know it was discussed on here last Winter, and the opinion was it could be "molasses" that is mixed in with the road salt.  But around here there has been no road salt put down at all this winter, so I am not convinced that was the cause.

 

They are only really noticeable on white/light coloured cars, so take a look next time you clean the car (with glasses if need be as much more noticeable).

 

Luckily they are fairly easily removed, but it does require a bit of effort. I go over them with a soft rag dipped in white spirit - leave a few minutes so the (tar?) softens, then go over again to clear residue, then leather off and -  "Hey Presto"!

 

Like to hear if anyone else's cars are affected and thoughts on possible causes.

Just noticed when cleaning both our white cars, that those pin-holed sized black spots have appeared again this year. They are covering the lower paintwork from the bottom of windows to the cills.

 

Did not see them until today, but as clear as day with my reading glasses on - hundreds of them!

 

I know it was discussed on here last Winter, and the opinion was it could be "molasses" that is mixed in with the road salt.  But around here there has been no road salt put down at all this winter, so I am not convinced that was the cause.

 

They are only really noticeable on white/light coloured cars, so take a look next time you clean the car (with glasses if need be as much more noticeable).

 

Luckily they are fairly easily removed, but it does require a bit of effort. I go over them with a soft rag dipped in white spirit - leave a few minutes so the (tar?) softens, then go over again to clear residue, then leather off and -  "Hey Presto"!

 

Like to hear if anyone else's cars are affected and thoughts on possible causes.

Yes, strange isn't it, I find them on my Aqua blue yeti almost every time I wash it :think: I assumed they were molasses but would also like to know for sure. White spirit or a little petrol on a piece of rag does shift them but they are a ruddy nuisance!

Has one of your neighbours been spraying their fence with preservative?  The overspray can travel huge distances, especially in the windy weather we've been having.

Is it not just tar spots?

Definitely not fence spray, and doubt if tar spots, not in the cold weather anyway.

 

Also, can't remember having them in the summer, as hot as it was.

 

A case for Mulder & Scully I think.

WD40

Yes WD40 or Glass cleaner sometimes Mr Sheen seem to clean anything, all of these remove stubborn chain lube off my motorbike wheels and fairings.  :clap:

Thanks for the suggestions re removing, but that is not the issue (white spirit/petrol/WD40 etc) - I want to know what the cause is.

Definitely not fence spray, and doubt if tar spots, not in the cold weather anyway.

 

Also, can't remember having them in the summer, as hot as it was.

 

A case for Mulder & Scully I think.

i had to clean tar spots of mine the week and it was brand new in October.  It's easy to tell if it's tar as it goes brown as tar remover breaks it down.

It could be some sort of Insect Poop.

It could be some sort of Insect Poop.

Nope!

i had to clean tar spots of mine the week and it was brand new in October.  It's easy to tell if it's tar as it goes brown as tar remover breaks it down.

I agree - definitely seems to be tar based but why in this weather?

Have you got winter tyres?

Looks like it, smells like it, tastes like it, oops better not stand in it.

Have you got winter tyres?

On one car yes but not on the other, and spots on both.

I've noticed a similar problem with black tar spots recently and have put that down to the attempts to repair potholes around here.

Had my white Yeti for nearly three years, tar spots have been there every time I wash it, winter, summer whenever it makes no difference, they are always there.

 I use neat TFR to get rid, whatever it is it is oil/tar based and it will always return 

Noticed them on my three week old shark blue Yeti when I washed it this morning.

Have them on mine, but every time I wash it and go to clean them off it rains so given up washing it for a while luckily the musky paint does not show the dirt .    Never noticed them on my last one it was black  , but I could feel them when I washed it. 

Some of the local authorities in England and Scotland use a compound called "SAFECOAT" to blend in with their road salt. It's really just a a sugar based mixture which is designed to stick to the road even after rain and a rise in temperature. So, although we have been experiencing wet and milder weather, it could be the residue of SAFECOAT which is causing the problem.

Tar spots are just as much of an issue during the colder months.

 

I clayed my car from top to bottom back in November, just washed it this afternoon and its covered again.

James 1 - what is TFR?

Traffic Film Remover

Sent from my GT-I9305 using Tapatalk

Tar it is then - unless anyone knows different that is.

 

Many thanks for all the replies, and glad that it is not something that just happens around here.

 

 

 

http://www.edendetail.co.uk/autosmart-tardis-tar-and-glue-remover-5-litres.

Wipe on a rag, wipe on spots wait a little, wipe off spots and buff shiny.