D-Limonene Based Products

Get stoners tarminator and be done with tar.


I've used tarmanator in the past and it definitely is a decent product. That said, I'm trying to get away from aerosol and petroleum based products, hence the title, "D-limonene based products). Thanks for the suggestion though :xyxthumbs:
 
Update!

Yesterday, I purchased

CG Bug Bugger from AG. I'm not sure it's d-limonene based but from the description it is an excellent pretreatment that removes bugs tar etc. If it works, it appears that it will be very affordable as it's about 20 bucks for a gallon and it dilutable. I'm very skeptical about this product but we will see.

I also bought a d-limonene based cleaner in gallon size by Quik Way. It was $49 for a gallon but I've really been itching to try a product like this, and I was able to get it from the meg's distributer that comes by my shop every other week.

I tried it on an older, white grand prix with light tar and grime on a small area on the lower driver's side door. I sprayed it straight and let it dwell for approximately 20 seconds. It very easily removed the grime and light tar, wiping with a microfiber, and left the area surgically clean. BTW, I tested it side by side with tarmanator and I would say the citrus product was better, at least for the light grime and tar.

In the upcoming days I will be testing the d-limonene product on heavier tar and bugs and possibly wheels.

The real test will be whether it still works when diluted, because I'm just flat not going to pay $49 for a gallon of product that must be used straight.
 
Don't try and dilute it if it doesn't say to do so! This type of product is rarely dilutable and you will get a milky white mess which simply won't work. I'm afraid the cost is unavoidable if you have a lot of tar to deal with. In the UK, this is fact of life and even the cheap and nasty petroleum products cost upwards of 30 per gallon and this will still have one of the smallest profit margins for most suppliers.

Bug removal doesn't require this type of product. If a water dilutable product suffices, count yourself lucky because the reality is that you do the have much tar present to remove.

For detailing products, you can look to dodo juice tarmalade or car pro tar-x. I'm afraid both will cost dramatically more than those mentioned and they cannot be diluted with water.
 
Don't try and dilute it if it doesn't say to do so! This type of product is rarely dilutable and you will get a milky white mess which simply won't work. I'm afraid the cost is unavoidable if you have a lot of tar to deal with. In the UK, this is fact of life and even the cheap and nasty petroleum products cost upwards of 30 per gallon and this will still have one of the smallest profit margins for most suppliers.

Bug removal doesn't require this type of product. If a water dilutable product suffices, count yourself lucky because the reality is that you do the have much tar present to remove.

For detailing products, you can look to dodo juice tarmalade or car pro tar-x. I'm afraid both will cost dramatically more than those mentioned and they cannot be diluted with water.


I guess I just need to stop being such a penny pincher haha. At $49 per gallon, if I can pre treat 25-50 cars, that's $1 to $2 dollars per car. Not bad, considering it is at least slightly better for the environment and my health.
 
Update!

Yesterday, I purchased

CG Bug Bugger from AG. I'm not sure it's d-limonene based but from the description it is an excellent pretreatment that removes bugs tar etc. If it works, it appears that it will be very affordable as it's about 20 bucks for a gallon and it dilutable. I'm very skeptical about this product but we will see.

Please update us on how the CG Bug Bugger worked out for you.
 
Auto Finesse has a nice citrus based grime pre-treatment called Citrus Power, I've heard good things about it.

They also have a tar remover, but unlike tarminator, it's in a bottle as a liquid. I put some on a rag and wipe tar off. I find it works better than the aerosol version.
 
Auto Finesse has a nice citrus based grime pre-treatment called Citrus Power, I've heard good things about it.

They also have a tar remover, but unlike tarminator, it's in a bottle as a liquid. I put some on a rag and wipe tar off. I find it works better than the aerosol version.

CP is quite strongly alkaline (not a bad thing) and I would not have, personally, considered the d-limonene (if it has any - AF don't readily supply MSDS so I have never ascertained if 'citrus' genuinely refers to d-lim or simply a fragrance) to be the major contributor to the cleaning. Keep in mind it is ready to use, you don't dilute it heavily like TAW.
 
Don't know if its a d-lim cleaner, although I suspect it is - I have great success with this stuff:

gesy5upa.jpg


Removes bugs, sap, soot, road grime, road salt and light road tar without harsh petroleum solvents or detergents typical in other bug and tar removers that can harm sensitive wax finishes. For use on all painted surfaces, headlamps, chrome, glass, rubber and plastic surfaces. Contains special cleaners that soften and loosen bugs without the need for abrasive bug sponges that can scratch the paint finish. Does not contain enzymes which can irritate skin. Biodegradable and formalin-free.

Removes bugs, sap and road grime
Won't strip wax or polish coatings
Water based, petroleum free
Bug sponge not required
Environmentally friendly, biodegradable

u8uzytut.jpg
 
Don't know if its a d-lim cleaner, although I suspect it is - I have great success with this stuff:

What makes you think it is d-limonene based? The only ingredient listed is the same stuff you find in anti-freeze.
 
What makes you think it is d-limonene based? The only ingredient listed is the same stuff you find in anti-freeze.

Just how it compares to similar products. Dunno. Got to be something in it that works. Stuff works awesome. It does strip normal waxes though, like Bouncer's.
 
CP is quite strongly alkaline (not a bad thing) and I would not have, personally, considered the d-limonene (if it has any - AF don't readily supply MSDS so I have never ascertained if 'citrus' genuinely refers to d-lim or simply a fragrance) to be the major contributor to the cleaning. Keep in mind it is ready to use, you don't dilute it heavily like TAW.

You dilute TAW? I always thought of it as a ready to use product.
 
You dilute TAW? I always thought of it as a ready to use product.

Oops, my apologies, my error. I am in the UK so have a different set of 'common' products and I was trying to be transferable. If you say that TAW is not for dilution, then I am probably wrong. My point was that there are products out there which are comparable but supplied as concentrates.
 
You dilute TAW? I always thought of it as a ready to use product.
That's what I thought as well.
Oops, my apologies, my error. I am in the UK so have a different set of 'common' products and I was trying to be transferable. If you say that TAW is not for dilution, then I am probably wrong. My point was that there are products out there which are comparable but supplied as concentrates.

I'll dilute TAW for different tasks:
As to: TAW's dilution ratios:
-I go with a couple of ounces of TAW per 5 gallon bucket of water;
-50/50 with distilled water in my choice of sprayer-equipped vessel.

{*Some folks will bump these TAW's dilution-ratios up/down...a little bit a time.}
{**TAW's dilution-ratios have been discussed for years on many forums.}

:)

Bob
 
Haha Im the MAN

But seriously, I have never heard of anyone diluting TAW down, but I guess it only makes sense to at least try it and see if it works for your specific needs. Learn something new everyday here.
 
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