Yesterday, roofers cut shingles off the roof and little bits of tar fell on the hood, bumper and sides of my new car. I took it through a touchless wash, but it had been 90 degrees since 7 am, and the tar was baked on. Is there a way to safely remove these tar bits myself without ruining my car's finish, or should I take it to a detail shop?
2007-07-02 00:41:49 · 12 answers · asked by DSL 4 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
buy a can of wd40 spray a little on it it wil desolve it wipe it off with an old rag coninur untill its gone thain wash your car as nessory with soap and water
it will come rite off
2007-07-02 02:33:23 · answer #1 · answered by mobile auto repair (mr fix it) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
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2016-05-21 01:24:01 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are some good answers here - they need to be combined. First, as already suggested, take some pictures of the damage, and keep any/all receipts and record in writing any conversations with the roofing company about this matter. Second, do not pay the roofers one more cent until this issue is taken care of. The possible repainting of your car needs to be considered first. If you haven't already, notify the roofing company that this has happened. It is their problem, not yours. Tell them that you are willing to assist in getting it taken care of, with the approval of the roofing company. Make sure that they approve of what you are doing (in writing), because if this gets to court, you will need their approval of your course of action, or the roofing company will say that they weren't aware of it, and any cost or method of taking care of the issue will be without their approval, and therefore, is your problem - especially if the solution doesn't work and you have to have your car repainted. if I were the roofing company, and you didn't have my approval, my case to the judge would be that the car's paint could have been saved if you had done something different, and therefore, my company would not have to pay for the paint.
OK, now on to the actual solution -
There are other posts here that suggest using WD-40 or gasoline - that's a sure-fire way to ruin your paint. As the automotive guy suggests, go out to a automotive parts store and get a commercial tar remover FOR VEHICLES. I would suggest that you consult with the roofing company again as to who is going to attempt this before you actually apply the tar remover. Everything in writing !
Based on the fact that the roofing company was stupid enough to not ask you to move your car, this probably isn't the first time it's happened to them - or something similar. Nothing is going to motivate them more in assisting you than you not paying them for the roofing work. Keep calm, explain why you're not paying them, tell them you will happily pay them for the roof once this automotive situation is handled. Roofers and roofing company owners (generally speaking) are a little crazy, so if you come off threatening, or making it sound like you'll never pay them, you may find your roof laying on your lawn, so kill them with kindness.
Your idea about taking it to a detail shop isn't a bad idea either - but again, get it approved in writing from the roofing company.
Good luck - but my gut feeling is that your paint is already ruined.
2007-07-04 03:49:49 · answer #3 · answered by LimoMax 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First, take pictures of the damage. This will help if you have to file a complaint with the roofing company.
But before doing all that, there are many cleaners for removing road tar from your vehicle, available at auto parts stores. I doubt the tar is much different, so it should work.
If it doesn't, contact the roofing company and file a complaint. They will be responsible for any damage that was done.
2007-07-02 00:53:36 · answer #4 · answered by shiznannigan 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You really do not want to use any fuel or wd-40 due to the fact that it will eat at your clearcoat. The best thing I found was bug and tar remover. All you have to do is spray it on and let it sit for a minute or two and then wipe it off. If it is real think you might have to srubb a little but the stuff works great.
2007-07-02 01:15:27 · answer #5 · answered by Vinnie 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You can try a few of the products that the detail shop would use such as prep& clean. You might want to try some peroxide, try that on a spot that is not too visible before trying it elsewhere. You might want to try bug and tar remover which is available at any hardware or auto parts store.
2007-07-02 01:12:50 · answer #6 · answered by morganjlandry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make a property damage claim against the roofers. You can try gasoline or kerosene. But be careful.
If you don't get the tar off immediately, it will permanently stain the paint.
2007-07-02 00:48:17 · answer #7 · answered by regerugged 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spray with WD-40. Allow to soak a few minutes. spray again. You may need to rub a little with a rag soaked with WD-40. Wash off the residue with car wash soap and water. Work on small areas at a time. Re-apply wax.
Be careful on disposing of the WD-40 soaked rags ad they may be flammable.
2007-07-02 00:47:02 · answer #8 · answered by Mad Jack 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, several commercial tar removers are available at auto parts stores. These are all mostly a kerosine or mineral spirit base,so you can try paint thinner you already have. Lighter fluid(Naptha) will also work well.
Good Luck.
2007-07-02 00:49:04 · answer #9 · answered by ljoeguthrie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
buy a commercial tar remover you may consider asking the roofers to buy it for you
2007-07-02 00:52:49 · answer #10 · answered by bungee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋