paint thinner to remove tar?

[arrutled]

My boss swears that paint thinner will remove tar from my car. its easily spotted on my rocker panels as my car is AW. anyways can anyone give me any reason why this would not be safe on my car?

[imdanomite]

i wouldn't recommend paint thinner. they have stuff that takes off goo, bug guts, tree sap, etc. that is safe for paint. check your local parts store.

[lib]

Whatever you use... WEAR GLOVES.

One of my coworkers has been using goo-gone/goo-off/whatever it's called to clean the front of his cars for a while. Now his neurologist is telling him the loss of feeling in his arms is due to the toluene in that stuff and he's decided to drop out of a couple track days because of it.

I've never heard of that happening before but it's better to play it safe.

[BlackjackMulligan]

Originally Posted by imdanomite

i wouldn't recommend paint thinner. they have stuff that takes off goo, bug guts, tree sap, etc. that is safe for paint. check your local parts store.

+1, there are plenty of products out there made for this purpose specifically. Check with Phil, he'll have some recommendations (detailersdomain.com)

[skiguy1981]

Originally Posted by lib

Whatever you use... WEAR GLOVES.

One of my coworkers has been using goo-gone/goo-off/whatever it's called to clean the front of his cars for a while. Now his neurologist is telling him the loss of feeling in his arms is due to the toluene in that stuff and he's decided to drop out of a couple track days because of it.

I've never heard of that happening before but it's better to play it safe.

WHAT!?

[G5Ti]

BMW's own tar/sap/bug remover works remarkably well and is easy to use.

Best thing I've found though is simply to keep the car waxed and then use a quick detailer (like Griot's Speed Shine or Adam's Detail Spray from Phil) to remove spots as quickly as possible.

In between "real" waxings, I usually use a spray-on wax after a thorough wash (again, something like Griot's Spray Wax or Einszett Spray-Wax from Phil).

http://accessories.bmwusa.com/ItemVi...&productId=112

https://www.detailersdomain.com/inde...PROD&ProdID=32
https://www.detailersdomain.com/inde...PROD&ProdID=59

http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1
http://www.griotsgarage.com/product/...rrivals&page=1

[ptack]

Paint thinner will remove tar. It will also remove paint so I wouldn't necessarily use it on your can.

[lib]

Originally Posted by skiguy1981

WHAT!?

I had the same reaction.

He's still going to a neurologist to see if something else could be the cause but after every test they can think of nothing else has come up. That doesn't mean there isn't some other cause, they just can't find anything else. As of this moment this is the only source they can think of.

The last I heard he was still having problems and they might last for several months (assuming there isn't some other cause they haven't found yet).

[oldman]

I've been using petrol (gas) for over 30 years.
Have not found it to do anything adverse to the paint on any car I've every owned.
Just wipe the tar off with a slightly soaked rag (comes off very easily) and then wipe off straight away followed by a wash, light polish and wax.

[Add1ct]

good idea on the gas, it's a solvent and you have to figure that they have engineered the paint so that gas will not harm it that much and even at the more expensive prices, it's probably much cheaper than application specific cleaners

[Detailers Domain]

pass on paint thinner for sure.

use a degreaser like P21S Total Autowash, or Einszett Anti Insekt

or 3m adhesive remover ( would recommend polish and wax afterwards)

[arrutled]

I used bug bugger from detailed image, didnt dilute and it worked like magic! problem solved yall!

[x97Melbourne]

try "compound" purchased at any auto store.
use sparingly....and rub right off afterwards. don't rub too hard.

[bman6074]

3M bug and tar remover works extremely well. I used it for the first time this weekend and was amazed how effortlessly it was. Spray on and the tar just dripped off. Definitely going to get a can to have in my arsenal of detail products.

[Greg@DetailedImage]

There are tons of solutions to removing tar from your paint. I start off with a regular washing which will rarely work. Next use a degreaser like the Poorboy's World Bug Squash or the Chemical Guys Bug Bugger and Tar Remover. These are strong degreasers that can help safely loosen and break down tar. My last step is using the Stoner Tarminator, which literally just dissolves tar and is paint safe. With all of these products I recommend washing these areas after and reapplying your sealant or wax for protection. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Greg @ Detailed Image

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by ptack

Paint thinner will remove tar. It will also remove paint so I wouldn't necessarily use it on your can.

I agree. I would only use paint thinner to, well, thin paint.

[cagekicker]

not very bright! use bug&tar remover.

[Addict...Nah Im A Junkie!]

I just use clay and QD.

[mchaskell]

Originally Posted by arrutled

My boss swears that paint thinner will remove tar from my car. its easily spotted on my rocker panels as my car is AW. anyways can anyone give me any reason why this would not be safe on my car?

I think he is referring to mineral spirits, a thinner for oil based paints. In my experience mineral spirits does not harm automotive acrylic enamel paint. Lacquer thinner and acetone (Again in my experience, I am not promoting their use or recommending you try them.) are also safe for most automotive paints when used correctly. Do not use acrylic enamel reducer this will dissolve many auto paint finished.

Never leave any solvent in contact with paint for extended periods of time. Even if they do not immediately take it off they can soften or otherwise damage the paint.

Tar on your finish will need to be either dissolved (mineral sprints, kerosene, WD40, one of the bug and tar removers, citrus solvents etc.) or mechanically removed.

This is a good reference to solvents: http://www.artsparx.com/Undmatsolv.html.

[Jaysen1]

Eucalyptus oil will remove tar from paint.

[ichiban]

Originally Posted by lib

Whatever you use... WEAR GLOVES.

One of my coworkers has been using goo-gone/goo-off/whatever it's called to clean the front of his cars for a while. Now his neurologist is telling him the loss of feeling in his arms is due to the toluene in that stuff and he's decided to drop out of a couple track days because of it.

I've never heard of that happening before but it's better to play it safe.

WHAT?!? I've been using goo-gone for years. any credence to toluene causing this?

[joeyg4282]

Been using Wd-40 for tar and bugs for years with no problems.

http://www.wd40.com/faqs/#q5

Joe