Fresh asphalt, tree sap, and bug splatter can quickly ruin your vehicle's finish—but a few simple household products can help.
Summer is road trip season, but it's also one of the toughest times of the year for your car's paint. Fresh asphalt leaves behind sticky tar spots, long highway drives cover the front end with bug splatter, and parking under trees often means dealing with stubborn sap.
Ignore those contaminants for too long, and they can bond to the clear coat, making a regular car wash ineffective. Here are five tried-and-true household remedies that can help remove stubborn residue without harming your vehicle's finish.
Mineral spirits are one of the most effective petroleum-based solvents for removing fresh tar. Dampen a soft microfiber cloth, press it against the affected area for about 10 seconds, then gently wipe away the residue. Used sparingly, mineral spirits are generally safe for automotive paint, but avoid aggressive scrubbing that could scratch the clear coat.
Thanks to the petroleum distillates in its formula, WD-40 does an excellent job of softening fresh tree sap and tar spots. Spray the product directly onto the stain and give it a minute to work. Once the residue begins to loosen, wipe it away with a clean, soft cloth. There's no need to scrub hard.
Diluted household ammonia can be effective against bug remains and certain plant residues. Soak a cotton pad with ammonia, place it over the affected area for about 20 seconds, and let it soften the organic material before gently wiping it away. Be careful not to leave ammonia on the paint for too long, as prolonged exposure may damage the finish.
It may sound unusual, but common vegetable oil can help dissolve fresh tar before it has time to harden. The oil breaks down the sticky residue, making it much easier to wipe away. However, this trick is only effective on fresh contamination and won't do much for old, dried-on tar.
Using fuel as a cleaner is an old-school trick that still works in some situations. Diesel fuel is particularly effective at removing heavy tar deposits, but it leaves behind an oily film that should always be washed off afterward with automotive shampoo. Because both gasoline and diesel can affect paint and trim if used improperly, this method should only be considered as a last resort.