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You can scrub your car until your arms get tired, and the bugs and tar will still be there. Simply washing your car with soap and water isn’t enough. You need to break out the serious products to get these stubborn particles off of your vehicle’s paint, but you don’t want to use just any cleaner. You need something that will be tough on the bugs and tar but gentle on your car’s paint. Try one of these removers in your car to keep it looking show ready.
Best Overall
CarPro Tar X Tar and Adhesive Remover
Best Value
3D Auto Detailing Bug Remover
Honorable Mention
McKee's Road Kill Bug Remover
Most Heavy Duty
Chemical Guys Bug u0026amp; Tar Heavy Duty Car Wash Shampoo
Best Power Foam
Turtle Wax Power Foam Bug u0026amp; Tar Remover
Tips
- Before you apply anything to your car’s paint, double-check that it’s safe to use. You don’t want to use a cleaning product that’s so strong that it etches your clear coat. This will leave you with a dull look and eat away at the protection of your paint.
- Check the ingredients to make sure that they’re not hazardous. Some cleaners use powerful cleaning agents to break down bugs, and these chemicals may be harmful to you, your family, or pets. Other cleaning agents use more natural products, such as enzymes or orange peel extract.
- Pay attention to what the cleaner is designed for. Enzymes work well on natural matter, such as bugs or tree sap. Tar can be harder to remove, so look for one with specialized solvents for this purpose.
FAQs
Q: Can I use WD40 to clean bugs and tar off my car?
A: You can use WD40, but it isn’t meant for this purpose. Since it’s not specifically designed for removing bugs, it can potentially damage your paint. It also won’t work as well. Use a formula meant for removing bugs, and follow the directions so that you don’t risk the cleaner eating into your clear coat.
Q: How does tar remover work?
A: There are chemicals in tar remover that break down the compounds in the tar. Spray the cleaner on the tar, and then let it sit. Over time, the cleaner breaks down the tar. Then you can wipe the tar or its stain away. Be sure to rinse the area clean. Doing it this way reduces the need for you to scrub, which will scratch your paint.
Q: Can I use the cleaner on other surfaces?
A: Yes, you can use bug and tar remover on several surfaces. You can use it on other vehicles such as motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, RVs, and boats. Always do a test area before you start to clean the entire surface. Then make sure you rinse the cleaned area to remove any residue after the application.
Final Thoughts
The Tar X Tar and Adhesive Remover 500 Milliliter with Sprayer uses a safe and non-toxic formula to clean your car. The 3D Auto Detailing Products Bug Remover is an affordable option that provides a powerful formula to break down bugs and tar.