Spring Cleaning... Tar?

[Flounder]

It's time to get the Explorer spiffied up from winter...

How do I remove specs of tar from the rear chrome bumper panels, directly behind the rear wheels? I tried Turtle Wax Bug and Tar remover, sprayed it on, wiped off (per directions) but it did nothing. Maybe a teflon scrubbing pad would help?

Also, I noticed the poor Explorer has a few paint chips added after off-roading this winter. I tell ya, off-roading is a 50/50 thing, I love it, but hate the "character" it adds to the Explorer... I could use a new Sport Trac... heh

 

[95ExplorerLtd]

Yeah, you might want to use a brush of some type that can get things off but not scratch. I use the bug and tar remover stuff and it rarely works right unless I use something that can really work at the offending insects and tar. Also, gas may be an option, someone please correct me if I'm wrong. Once we put regular gas on some kind of sponge and really scrubbed the lower body panels of our pickup until the tar came off, but that wasnt chrome, it was paint, but we quickly rinsed it off with water. I personally wouldnt do it to our Explorer, but if you want to try it it should work, but I'd only use it as a last resort. But please, somebody, correct me if I'm wrong here, I dont want him to put gas on his truck and discolor or damage it!

 

[jimbo74]

try goo gone. it is one of those gimmic things but IT ACTUALLY WORKS!!also try quick n brite this thing is a solid patse and can be ordered of tv and gets anything off of anything... trust me i know.

 

[Okrazie1]

Adam,

You might want to try some WD-40 on that tar. I've used it in the past for cleaning bugs and gunk off the front of the truck, and for cleaning the adhesive off from the city sticker. The following is from the WD-40 website:

"WD-40 removes sap, tar, adhesives, labels and tape from surfaces without damaging existing paint. It's an effective cleaner for tools, equipment, and vehicles. Use it to remove splattered bugs from the front of cars. WD-40 will even help remove gum from carpet. Just spray, wait, and wipe with a clean cloth."

 

[jimbo74]

oh yeah thats a good one but i forgot to mention it and it is easier to find

 

[mdrut]

goo-joo and baby oil...both are non-flamable and very cheap..wipe with heavy coat of baby oil and let sit for a few minutes and wipe off.. Also works on oil and grease.

 

[kilroy]

OK all good points, basically any type of petroleum based product will remove the tar, the stronger it is, the faster it works. BUT has anyone dealt with the little rust spots that appear on the paint? I have a white Exploder and I just washed it for the first time since the Big snow storm in December, and I have found a whole lot of those little spots all over the paint as though someone sprinkled metal filings on the paint and they rusted. How do I get rid of THAT?

 

[Flounder]

Well, I shall try the WD-40 first, followed by GooGone, then the gasoline tomorrow. I washed the Explorer today and put it in the garage to dry. I don't worry about water spots as I'll do a spray detail, then clay bar it, then 3M Swirl remover, then maybe 3 coats of some Emerald wax on it... Busy day tomorrow.

 

[Flounder]

The gasoline worked perfectly. It took minimal effort and it is nice and shiny again!

 

[aldive]

Originally posted by AdamCKach
It's time to get the Explorer spiffied up from winter...

How do I remove specs of tar from the rear chrome bumper panels, directly behind the rear wheels? I tried Turtle Wax Bug and Tar remover, sprayed it on, wiped off (per directions) but it did nothing. Maybe a teflon scrubbing pad would help?

Also, I noticed the poor Explorer has a few paint chips added after off-roading this winter. I tell ya, off-roading is a 50/50 thing, I love it, but hate the "character" it adds to the Explorer... I could use a new Sport Trac... heh

A good old gasoline soaked rag should trake care of the tar.

 

[ChrisHeapy]

Originally posted by kilroy
...I have found a whole lot of those little spots all over the paint as though someone sprinkled metal filings on the paint and they rusted. How do I get rid of THAT?

That's a tough one - especially with white paintwork!
The best job is a panel respray done in a pro shop, the real problem is killing the existing rust spots while leaving a smooth finish to paint over. Dabbing paint on looks bad, produces an uneven surface, and always seems to rust through again (salt seems to sink into the pores). A body shop can vapour-blast the panel, spray it and be done in a couple hours - check the price it might not be as bad as you thought.

Chris

 

[kilroy]

Sorry you misunderstood. The rust spots are not in the paint or under the paint, they are on top of the paint. I have to use a buffer, again, to clean the paint.

 

[Dbirl528]

Tar and rust spec removal

To remove tar, the best thing to use is 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover. You can find it at any store that sells body shop supplies. As far as the rust specs, clay bars take these specs off by actually picking the specs up off the finish. This is a non-abrasive way to remove these specs. There are many different clay products on the market and some do contain slight abrasives so try to find one which doesn't. To use it you will spray a lubricant on the finish and rub the clay over the finish to pick these spots off, then you will need to re-wax the vehicle as it will clean the finish down to the surface. The good thing is that your wax will last longer since it is being applied to a clean, fresh surface. All cars have these specs but it so much more prevalant on white vehicles as it is easier to notice. A good place to find the clay and lubricant is www.topoftheline.com. You won't believe the difference in the way the vehicle looks just using the clay. And you'll be suprised how dirty the finish of your car actually is. It takes some time and elbow grease, but is by far the best way to eliminate this problem.

 

[Stephen]

Tar- Best for tar I've seen, Stoner's "Tarminator" spray it on and wipe it off. Stoner also has a product called "Trim Shine" that will shine all of the plastic trim on your XLT well without leaving them artificially shiny. Their glass cleaner and tire shine are great too. They just make plain great products. You can see ads for them in all the car magazines if you cant find them in stores.

Paint Chips- Get Dupli Color's paint chip system and follow the directions. Works great.

Rusted filings- I have white too, and I hate this. Clay bar works the best as others have mentioned.


Hit that thing with some Meguiars No. 9 Swirl Remover and an orbital buffer, and put some Zaino on it you'll be ready for spring.

 

[kilroy]

Yep went through the clay bar thing lst year and many coats of good wax, and the damn spots came back. I am going to try Zaino this year and hope I never see those spots again.

 

[Stephen]

You know, come to think of it I havent seen any spots since I put the Zaino on last year.

Generally though thats one of the pitfalls of a white car.

 

[Dbirl528]

These specs will always come back, as they are metal shavings from the brakes which cling to the car, and as soon as they get wet they become rust specs. There is no way to avoid them. It is just one of those things. A good coat of wax will definitely help slow this process down by not allowing these particles to cling to the surface, but believe me, they will eventually come back.