How to Remove Tar from Your Car

Tar is the sticky, black substance that usually appears on the lower part of your car. Often it is seen behind your wheel wells and on the lower half of the side doors, though in extreme cases it can be on the hood, grille, roof, and windows of your vehicle.

Where does all this tar come from? It is a substance used in asphalting, and when you drive on recently laid asphalt or drive over recently filled potholes tar can splash up onto your car. Or, if you drive past equipment that is performing roadwork, you may even get tar splashed onto your vehicle.

Removing tar from your vehicle is a different process than removing bugs or sap, because tar is an oil-based substance. It doesn’t fully harden for several years and doesn’t come off well with natural cleaners. A solvent-based cleaner is needed to properly remove tar, though tar removers often also work well to remove bugs and sap from a vehicle's surface. After removing the tar, you should also wash and wax your car to make it shine.

Method 1 of 2: Using a tar remover spray

Materials Needed

hand applying tar remover directly to tar spots on car surface

Step 1: Wet your cloth with tar remover. The cloth shouldn’t be saturated to the point of dripping.

If there is a large area with tar spots, you can apply your tar remover directly onto the car.

circular motion

Step 2: Wipe over the tar spots. Move your cloth in small circles over the spots of tar.

When your cloth is dirty, flip it over and use a clean section. The tar spots will soften and come off with light pressure. As they dissolve, wipe any streaks that are left behind on your car.

Step 3: Repeat wherever needed. Apply these steps to any other areas that have tar spots.

Make sure to use the same small circular motion when cleaning.

Step 4: Wash your car. Once all of the tar spots have been removed, wash your car.

Using a mild detergent and warm water, wash your vehicle, starting at the top and moving down to the bottom. Rinse with clean water.

Step 5: Check your vehicle for any remaining tar spots. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 to perform additional spot touchups.

Step 6: Wax your car. Once you make sure all tar spots are gone and your car looks clean, wax it.

This helps seal and protect the paint of the vehicle.

Method 2 of 2: Using household products to remove tar

Materials Needed

  • Bucket
  • Car wax
  • Household product (such as peanut butter or WD-40)
  • Microfiber towels
  • Mild soap or detergent

In addition to professional cleaning products, you can use a variety of household items to remove tar from your vehicle's surface. Some of the more common substances include peanut butter or WD-40.

person holding wd-40 and rag in hand

Step 1: Apply the household product. Depending on what type of product you use, either spray it directly on the tar or apply it using a microfiber towel.

When using WD-40, spray it directly on the area containing the tar. Allow the WD-40 to sit on the tar for at least 30 seconds so that it completely soaks in.

As an option, you can spray the WD-40 directly onto the microfiber towel and apply it that way.

If using a household product, such as peanut butter, use a microfiber towel to apply a liberal amount of creamy, not chunky, peanut butter to the area containing tar. Allow to sit on the tar for at least 30 seconds.

person holding can and rag wiping car

Step 2: Wipe area with a microfiber cloth. Using a soft, microfiber towel, wipe the area clean of both the household product and the tar.

Make sure to use a soft cloth, because an abrasive cloth can scratch the vehicle's surface. Repeat the process until all of the tar comes off.

Step 3: Wash your vehicle. Using mild detergent and water, thoroughly wash the exterior of your vehicle.

Once you have washed your vehicle, rinse it off using clean water. Wax your vehicle if necessary.

To remove tar from your vehicle's surface takes a few basic steps. You have a few options to choose from when doing this process, including using a professional tar remover or even an item from within your household, such as WD-40 or peanut butter. If you have any questions about removing tar from the outside of your vehicle, Ask a Mechanic to find out more.


The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Need Help With Your Car?

Our certified mobile mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 U.S. cities. Fast, free online quotes for your car repair.

GET A QUOTE

Related articles

10 Best Car Seat Cushions and Covers
Car cushions and seat covers provide comfort, protection, and wicks moisture. Aylio's Comfort Foam Cushion relieves back pain during long drives.
Top 10 Hacks for Cleaning and Organizing Your Car
Keeping your car clean and organized makes driving more enjoyable and safer. Use baking soda and household items to maintain a clean car.
How to Extend the Life of Your Car
There are many things you can do to extend the life of your car, including regular fluid maintenance, timely vehicle repair, and exterior maintenance.

Related questions

How do I clean the rearview mirror?
The rearview mirror can be damaged easily, so glass cleaner should never be applied directly to it. Instead, you should wash the rearview mirror with a very soft towel that has been dampened with water.
The car shut off at the traffic light, difficulty accelerating
Hello there, ESP will generally not cause the vehicle to die. It sounds like you have a few issues with the lack of power, starting, and the car dying. A few items can cause all three of these. Most common...
i would like to know if a hybrid car can get steam clean interior?
Hello, thank you for writing in. You should have no issues steam cleaning your seats. Your owner's manual will have the best information on how to handle cleaning your interior based on the trim you have and what the interior...

How can we help?

Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.

1 (855) 347-2779 · hi@yourmechanic.com