Well,  thought I’d wash the car as it’s not been washed for 3 weeks or so…was looking like a good competitor for the dirtiest car thread!!  Washed it, not a full on clean but enough to make it look good again, except… the amount of tar spots on both sides of the car.. damn that A421 road works… Now the question is am I ok to leave it until I can do a proper clean and wax or should I remove them soonest (and what’s the best stuff for the job)?

Edited 21 December, 201411 yr by Keith64

Autosmart Tardis

Autosmart Tardis

Thanks...  just having a read up on Tardis....  

Tardis should be part of an initial cleaning up process prior to polish wax etc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Autosmart-TARDIS-Tar-and-Glue-Remover-Car-Valeting-5L-/380636990051?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item589fbb8a63

Tardis is good stuff and I use it as part of my 6 monthly clean detox, prep and rewax routine. Iron x will get rid of the ferrous contamination too.

Not sure if it will remove any lsp you have on the car, so that's worth checking in case you'll need to add another layer of wax or sealant to maintain the protection.

Tardis will remove your LSP Ade...or seriously affect it

Its a solvent and most Sealants and Waxes will degrade almost immediately

I always Clay afterwards too, just to be sure that the paintwork is totally contaminent free

+1 for Tardis. Key is to give it time to do its work!

Tardis will remove your LSP Ade...or seriously affect it

Its a solvent and most Sealants and Waxes will degrade almost immediately

I always Clay afterwards too, just to be sure that the paintwork is totally contaminent free

Thanks, I thought it would but didn't know for sure so didn't guess! I've only ever used it as part of my prep work prior to applying a new LSP but is important to know if your just trying to remove tar as a stand alone activity.

Cheers guys... think I'll wait now till spring and strip the waxes etc.. might even think about a run up north ;-)

Unexpected day off work today...so....  time to rid the car of those tar spots... as it's a reasonable day...  forgot to get any Tardis though doh!!  Oh Well, lets see what I can do with them damn spots! Meths didn't touch them  , white spirits did but only after an age of rubbing Then I though I'd try some clay, BINGO!!  no more tar anywhere on the car..amazing stuff... car looks new again. Now just to seal it all again. :sun:

Wd40 will remove tar. I personally use tardis which I've found to be the best plus its also the cheapest.

tardis through a sprayer unit I have (made to cope with its volatility) works well for me.  Makes the eventual claying much easier.

+1 for tardis from the autosmart spray bottle

Autosmart Tardis

The market leader IMO.

I will get some Tardis... was just suprissed how good the clay was at removing the spots.

I will get some Tardis... was just suprissed how good the clay was at removing the spots.

Ideally you want to remove tar before claying. Firstly if you don't then you are clogging your clay up with tar, secondly you increase the risk of marring the paint.

True..the clay was very marked afterwards..threw it away. The paintwork was great after..i was worried that i was just going to be moving the tar around rather than removing it. Thanks for the advice guys.