So you think you know TAR?

Ever try WD40? I have used it recently to remove some new road tar from my car and it took it off effortlessly. I just sprayed and wiped with a paper towel.

Worth a try, pretty cheap and most everyone has a can around.
 
WD40, like kerosene, will work but is not what a professional should use. Kerosene contains aromatic chemicals which are harmful to paint. WD40 does not, but it contains non-volatile oils which are designed to lubricate the surfaces they are sprayed onto. As a result, the latter leaves residues which are extremely hard to remove completely.
 
PiPUK said:
WD40, like kerosene, will work but is not what a professional should use. Kerosene contains aromatic chemicals which are harmful to paint. WD40 does not, but it contains non-volatile oils which are designed to lubricate the surfaces they are sprayed onto. As a result, the latter leaves residues which are extremely hard to remove completely.
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Using kerosene occasionally will not damage clear coat. I've used kerosene on one car twice since new 2005 and others once or twice and I don't see clear coat failure or loss of gloss. I've used it on work trucks at least once every 2-3 months and no damage over years of usage.
 
Personally, I'd trust the person that is actually a chemist on what is safe for paint as opposed to anecdotal accounts.

Assuming you really need to use something like Xylene to remove this I definitely wouldn't low bid this. I would only do this outdoors unless you have a kick ass ventilation system/extraction fan in your shop or garage. I'd opt for a full face respirator with relatively fresh volatile organics cartridges, heavy gloves and a throw away Tyvek or similar suit. All of that adds up to hot and uncomfortable but speaking only for myself I wouldn't risk my health for a few hundred bucks.
You also ought to consider proper disposal of your work materials.
 
Those barking about how unsafe kerosene is have never used it to remove tar like that as shown. It won't hurt a thing and it's cheap. Finding it may be a problem but mineral spirits will also work and is easy and cheap to come across.
 
RTexasF said:
Those barking about how unsafe kerosene is have never used it to remove tar like that as shown. It won't hurt a thing and it's cheap. Finding it may be a problem but mineral spirits will also work and is easy and cheap to come across.
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We have worked with any manner of solvents for decades. We also make and sell automotive care products.

Everyone is welcome to use whatever they like but what I have presented is accurate - kerosene presents more risk to paint than is necessary. On the logic many are using here, smoking would be perfectly safe. Of course we know that not to be the case. Yes, it takes repeated use and often years, but it is extremely dangerous. Yes, use of kerosene is unlikely to do damage on a first use or even a second, but it presents a risk that is simply not necessary. If you were a volume, cheap and nasty car cleaner, I can see you using it. However, this is a forum for detailers, people who try to differentiate themselves from that, show they have a higher respect for their vehicles and how to care for them. Using gasoline, aromatic kerosene or similar just doesn't fit with the ethos of a detailer.
 
PiPUK said:
We have worked with any manner of solvents for decades. We also make and sell automotive care products.

Everyone is welcome to use whatever they like but what I have presented is accurate - kerosene presents more risk to paint than is necessary. On the logic many are using here, smoking would be perfectly safe. Of course we know that not to be the case. Yes, it takes repeated use and often years, but it is extremely dangerous. Yes, use of kerosene is unlikely to do damage on a first use or even a second, but it presents a risk that is simply not necessary. If you were a volume, cheap and nasty car cleaner, I can see you using it. However, this is a forum for detailers, people who try to differentiate themselves from that, show they have a higher respect for their vehicles and how to care for them. Using gasoline, aromatic kerosene or similar just doesn't fit with the ethos of a detailer.
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Maybe the kerosene in Ireland is stronger, like their whiskey.
 
Tarminator works great but it sure smells like kerosene to me. There are lots of chemicals and solutions that may not be deemed "for professional detailer use" but they work, ie vinegar, dawn soap etc.

My concern for the OP is any solvent based chemical is potentially harmful to your
respiratory system and a minimum work out doors in the shade with gloves and a mask. And yes you're going to have to polish up the paint once the decontamination is done.
 
I will help solve this arguement a bit.
The props for megs. Here is a usefull link all their products MSDS sheets. If you dont know how to read one, I would suggest you learn. I would also suggest you have a copy for every chemical you currently have on hand if your a licenced buisness (and even if not) Meguiars MSDS Information

The primary ingrediant for the Megs product is isoparffinic hydrocarbon and what is that?
Thanks to DOW chemical here it is : Isoparaffinic Solvents
Isoparaffins are oil-like solvents and are derived from a petrochemical base using catalytic synthesis. This class of solvent contains pure hydrocarbons. The products most useful for industrial cleaning contain a mixture of fully saturated, linear and/or branched aliphatic hydrocarbons in the range of around C9 to C13. The flash point of these products is typically in the 57 to 65°C range which equals a boiling point of between 180°C and 220°C. Depending on the product, the boiling range may be as narrow as 10 to 15°C.

Isoparaffinic solvents are virtually free of aromatics compounds, are completely saturated and are practically odorless. They are good for the dissolution and removal of oil residues from metal surfaces. Additionally, they are excellent degreasing agents in numerous applications. However, as the solubility of polar substances in hydrocarbon solvents is extremely low, this may result in incomplete cleaning when the contamination contains polar components such as residues of aqueous emulsion and /or polar additives from high performance cutting fluids. Moreover, hydrocarbon solvents can not be stabilized against acidification. Acids brought in as part of contaminations or produced by decompositions may accumulate in the cleaning system and lead to acidification and corrosion.

So there is a chance of corrosion even still, but pretty safe eitehr way.

IMHO, WD40 or Kerosene is like anything else, wear protective gloves, after removal of tar, wash thoroughly and protect after. But since we are all of our own opinions,
I am asking the professionals at duplicolor about the Kerosene issue and will post their reply when I get it.
 
The main ingredient in Megs body solvent is deodorized kerosene.
 
Thread needs more Mike Phillips :D

Sent from my SCH-I535 using AG Online
 
I got one reply from Duplicolor, but it was concering their own products. I wrote back and asked again stating it was a general dusputed subject and was asking for a paint compainies general statement. Still waiting.
 
beamerstrumpet said:
I got one reply from Duplicolor, but it was concering their own products. I wrote back and asked again stating it was a general dusputed subject and was asking for a paint compainies general statement. Still waiting.
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All respect to Duplicolor but you have no idea who will answer this question. Whatever the answer is, without knowing if it was a CS person fobbing you off or someone who actually knows the subject, it is meaningless. Of course they are going to say that their paints resist gasoline (and kerosene by extension), they are designed to do so! That isn't the question.

Considering how the detailing industry is so fearful of the effects of neat IPA (something which, inspite of probing those making the claims, is without actual data to support it), it shocks and concerns me that other solvents get used without concern. It is a bit like avoiding a few pints of beer in case it damages your liver whilst puffing away on 40 cigarettes a day. From a chemistry perspective, that really is the analogy we are talking about!
 
PiPUK said:
We have worked with any manner of solvents for decades. We also make and sell automotive care products.

Everyone is welcome to use whatever they like but what I have presented is accurate - kerosene presents more risk to paint than is necessary. On the logic many are using here, smoking would be perfectly safe. Of course we know that not to be the case. Yes, it takes repeated use and often years, but it is extremely dangerous. Yes, use of kerosene is unlikely to do damage on a first use or even a second, but it presents a risk that is simply not necessary. If you were a volume, cheap and nasty car cleaner, I can see you using it. However, this is a forum for detailers, people who try to differentiate themselves from that, show they have a higher respect for their vehicles and how to care for them. Using gasoline, aromatic kerosene or similar just doesn't fit with the ethos of a detailer.
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I respect both your manners and approach to removing tar. You also admit that a single use of kerosene or mineral spirits is not harmful. With that in mind...time is money, correct? If I can remove the horrid mess from the surface rapidly it saves me time. That time savings for me results in saving the customer money. Absolutely no harm is done to the paint and it is a win win scenario for all parties. Obviously all surfaces are machine polished afterwards and protected. Your method may or may not be better but what I've described is quick, effective, harms nothing, and saves a customer money. I can't imagine a better situation. There are many ways to accomplish the same goal.

By the way I retired from detailing professionally this year. I'm speaking here of what has worked for me in extreme situations like the one the original poster is facing having been there myself.
 
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