Advised to repost this here as well.

 

 

 

OK so its probably the modern day equivalent of creosote, but still not pleasant stuff.

 

Apparently, the guy in the house backing onto my drive, decided to creosote his fence. Unfortunately he hasnt checked my drive, and apparently my Octy got a very good soaking of the stuff. Dont ask how he managed that.

 

The local garage suggested warm soapy water, and that, combined with some car grime remover, has cleared all the creosote off the paintwork, or so it seems anyway.

Just the lights and trim now according to my dad. Im not actually at home at the mo, so this has all come from my dad.

 

So I suppose a question for anybody in the know. Could this stuff do any lasting damage to the paintwork? I'm not sure right now how long it was on the car for before it was noticed, but i will check.

Another thing im worried about. There is a tiny spot on the car where a coat or two of paint has come off thanks to a pressure washer. Underneath the blue paint it is black (not sure what the black is). No doubt this tiny area will be more susceptible to any damage the creosote could do.

 

So yes, could this stuff do any damage, ie cause the paint to peel, fade or go a funny colour, and also how long could it take for any problems to show up? At present it doesnt seem to have caused any damage, or not that my dad has passed on yet anyway. My dad has spoken to the owner of the house, and told him we could be going back to him for damages, and that any right to claim will be staying open until we are sure there is no lasting damage.

 

After making sure its all off my dad is going to hold fire a few days before polishing the car

Oh dear.  Some people are idiots.  Real cresote is nasty corrosive stuff that rots through all sorts including 904 grade stainless flue liners, albeit slowly.  Getting it off in a short time I'd doubt there would be any damage though, and really doubt there would be hidden damage.  All purpose cleaner and a wipe with tar remover should get it off. Then reseal the car with your preferred wax or sealant.

 

With plastic or rubber trim the cresote may have impregnated it, it could soften and damage it, but after cleaning as above letting the air and sunshine warm and cookies off any nasty for a few days will hopefully do the trick.

 

So I think your plan is spot on.

I had this too. Took quite a few hours and lots of patience going over the car with a clay bar. Got everything off, in the end. 

 

Got to love considerate neighbours!

As said...Clay the paintwork and polish it before adding some wax or sealant

Because you washed it off quickly, it possibly hasnt done any long term damage

Oh dear.  Some people are idiots.  Real cresote is nasty corrosive stuff that rots through all sorts including 904 grade stainless flue liners, albeit slowly.  Getting it off in a short time I'd doubt there would be any damage though, and really doubt there would be hidden damage.  All purpose cleaner and a wipe with tar remover should get it off. Then reseal the car with your preferred wax or sealant.

 

With plastic or rubber trim the cresote may have impregnated it, it could soften and damage it, but after cleaning as above letting the air and sunshine warm and cookies off any nasty for a few days will hopefully do the trick.

 

So I think your plan is spot on.

Apparently it was a creosote equivalent which you get now. So oil based, but not the real deal thankfully.

Ta remover has been used to clear it all off. Next my dads going to give it another wash and check for any oil film left on the paint.

It was sitting on the car for 2 days before being noticed, but thankfully hadnt hardened in as the sun was never on it.

No damage as yet my dad doesnt think, so fingers crossed.

As said...Clay the paintwork and polish it before adding some wax or sealant

Because you washed it off quickly, it possibly hasnt done any long term damage

2 days it took to notice! We shall see in the long run.

My dad is reluctant to clay it as he reckons it can take the top coat off if you are too enthusiastic. Anyway, the ta remover seems to have done the job.

 

Fingers crossed for the long term.

LOL...Your Dad is incorrect, unless you do it without lubricant or soapy water

Farecla g3 clay mit is doddle to use.  I've never clayed until I got a mit recently, it is easy with that.  However if it's the cresote substitute the stuff that looks and smells like a weak version of the original, not the coloured wax emulsion water based type, I'd think tar remover and a wash with APC would get it all off.

Clay can scratch the car if not used with sufficient lubrication or the surface is not thoroughly clean.

Had the same issue myself last year buddy; brown spots all over the car. Infuriating at the time. Mine came off with a quick wash. I would go down the tar remover route if it is stubborn. Then just pop some protection on it after you've washed the tar remover off. Job done.

Clay can scratch the car if not used with sufficient lubrication or the surface is not thoroughly clean.

Had the same issue myself last year buddy; brown spots all over the car. Infuriating at the time. Mine came off with a quick wash. I would go down the tar remover route if it is stubborn. Then just pop some protection on it after you've washed the tar remover off. Job done.

As I said Neil...Lubrication...and plenty of it is the trick to safe Claying, with bar or Mitt

.

My dad is reluctant to clay it as he reckons it can take the top coat off if you are too enthusiastic. 

 

Your Dad is probably thinking about compound buffing like in the old days of solid paint which used to fade in the sun

 

Claying merely runs over the surface and doesn't remove any actual paint whatsoever.  It's just a surface decontamination tool.  

LOL...Your Dad is incorrect, unless you do it without lubricant or soapy water

I shall pass that on. Thanks.

We live and learn.

Anyway, it is all off with the tar remover, so hopefully that should be enough. Another thorough wash, then assuming nothing shows up, a polish.

I'm more just hoping it doesnt start fading the paint or anything.

Farecla g3 clay mit is doddle to use.  I've never clayed until I got a mit recently, it is easy with that.  However if it's the cresote substitute the stuff that looks and smells like a weak version of the original, not the coloured wax emulsion water based type, I'd think tar remover and a wash with APC would get it all off.

Yep, its the creosote substitute apparently. So at least he has good taste when it comes to protecting outdoor timber products. Shame he gets more on my car than on his fence. Perhaps he was throwing it over the fence!

Tar remover has done the trick, thanks.