Notices
C5 General General C5 Corvette and C5 Z06 Discussion not covered in Tech

Cleaning the car....HELP!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:43 AM
  #1  
travelingypsye's Avatar
travelingypsye
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis In
Default Cleaning the car....HELP!

My car is going on display at the National Corvette Museum so it has to be spotless. I need cleaning help. What is the best tar remover for those little tar marks just behind the wheel openings? I have tried several but none work really well. Also what is the best thing to get scuffs off the door sills? I have tried several cleaners including alcohol and vinegar. Thanks for the help.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:49 AM
  #2  
98IndyPacer's Avatar
98IndyPacer
Racer
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 466
Likes: 71
From: West Chester PA
Default

I use WD-40 to remove tar. Works great!
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:54 AM
  #3  
rws.1's Avatar
rws.1
Race Director
20 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 16,795
Likes: 62
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
Default

Stoner's tarminator for the tar..
Those little scuffs on the sills may be scratches in the clear coat.
If they are, hey will need a scratch removing polish and a random orbital buffer. Whcih polish and which pad is impacted by how deep the scuffs are...
Try posting in the car care section on this aspect... a lot of detailing gurus hang out there.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 09:57 AM
  #4  
NikiQ's Avatar
NikiQ
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,064
Likes: 1
Cruise-In 9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09
Default

Several years ago, I had the misfortune of getting on a country road right after they had tarred the road. My car was thickly covered all along the sides of the car. The advice I was given at the time was to use diesel fuel. With plenty of elbow grease added in, all of it came off.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 10:11 AM
  #5  
JACKAL0PE's Avatar
JACKAL0PE
Lepus-temperamentalus
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Default

Tar's nothing.

Wait until you drive your black vette down a road where they just painted the white lines.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 10:14 AM
  #6  
travelingypsye's Avatar
travelingypsye
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis In
Default

Originally Posted by JACKAL0PE
Tar's nothing.

Wait until you drive your black vette down a road where they just painted the white lines.
OUCH! Thank God that never happened to me.
For the door sills, it's not the paint but the interior molding that is scratched from shoes.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 10:16 AM
  #7  
blacksedan87's Avatar
blacksedan87
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

One of those Mr. Clean "erasers" will work good on the scuff marks on your door sills. Just do it lightly and they should come right off. As far as the black marks on the fenders, I use 3M Wax and Adhesive remover - as you should be taking the marks off before you wax.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 10:27 AM
  #8  
chevyvette1's Avatar
chevyvette1
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 438
From: Tucson Arizona
Default

I have a white Grand Cherokee that was laoded with tar, this stuff worked awsome, once it's sprayed on it would start to, in lack of a better word, start to melt it. this stuff worked better than anything else I've ever tried, you can pick it up at Walmart for like $5 or $6, and of course you will have to re-wax afterwards Ozzie



Last edited by chevyvette1; Dec 10, 2006 at 04:28 PM.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 10:30 AM
  #9  
steve8's Avatar
steve8
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 11,065
Likes: 1,277
From: Central Ma
Default

Originally Posted by 98IndyPacer
I use WD-40 to remove tar. Works great!


I had great luck with wd-40 also, you just need to wash and Zaino afterwards. I also used Mr clean erasers last year and they worked great.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 10:32 AM
  #10  
travelingypsye's Avatar
travelingypsye
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis In
Default

OF course Zaino! NO car going to the museum should be without Zaino. hehe
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 11:26 AM
  #11  
yaknow's Avatar
yaknow
Le Mans Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 7,207
Likes: 311
From: Lino Lakes MN
Default

I had a lot of tar on my dd, I used those moist orange hand wipes in a tube, can't remember the name brand, worked great! No damage to the paint, minimal effort, and no loss of shop towels.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 11:38 AM
  #12  
tellefan's Avatar
tellefan
Drifting
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,435
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
Default

Grease and wax remover by 3M. They sell it as a prep before painting. It's never hurt my clear coat. Much easier than regular tar remover and WD40.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 12:11 PM
  #13  
dwilcox's Avatar
dwilcox
Racer
Supporting Lifetime
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert Arizona
Default

I have used a product called "Bug & Tar Remover" it is made by the Lifter 1 Company - I bought it at Autozone. I unfortunatley have had to use it on our Tahoe repeatedly and on my 01 Coupe 3 times. Just follow the directions, spray it on , let it soak in, and most of the smaller spots will simply wipe off. The thicker/bigger ones amy take a little effort, or a second shot. No damage to the Clearcoat and it is Lemon Scented. I have to admit, I do spot wash and wax the area after every application. Black and Yellow spray can to be specific.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 06:34 PM
  #14  
rrichar2591's Avatar
rrichar2591
Drifting
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,737
Likes: 349
From: Layton Utah
Default

Originally Posted by blacksedan87
One of those Mr. Clean "erasers" will work good on the scuff marks on your door sills. Just do it lightly and they should come right off. As far as the black marks on the fenders, I use 3M Wax and Adhesive remover - as you should be taking the marks off before you wax.
I had some pretty bad scuff marks when I first bought the car and the Mr Clean erasers were the only thing I could get to take them off. By the way, go the car car section and do a search on any topic your interested in cleaning and detailing the car. There is a lot of good stuff there.
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 07:49 PM
  #15  
TNT C5's Avatar
TNT C5
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,283
Likes: 1
From: Stillwater,MN
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Default

Originally Posted by chevyvette1
this stuff worked better than anything else I've ever tried
Reply
Old Dec 10, 2006 | 07:51 PM
  #16  
stampede3's Avatar
stampede3
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 272
Likes: 3
From: South Louisiana
Default

Originally Posted by 98IndyPacer
I use WD-40 to remove tar. Works great!
Yep.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2006 | 03:23 PM
  #17  
Vetteman Jack's Avatar
Vetteman Jack
Administrator
Supporting Lifetime
Veteran: Navy
St. Jude 20 Year Donor
25 Year Member
Veteran: Reserves
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,085
Likes: 24,732
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Default

I've used WD-40 or just some paste wax to remove tar. The scuff marks may come off with the use of a Magic Eraser.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Cleaning the car....HELP!

Old Dec 11, 2006 | 03:38 PM
  #18  
beary58's Avatar
beary58
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 158
Likes: 6
From: Edmond ok
Default

Peanut butter works great on tar. I know it sounds silly, but I read about it somewhere and tried it. Great stuff, but you need put it on after lunch or you may be tempted to........
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2006 | 03:57 PM
  #19  
Ol'55's Avatar
Ol'55
Le Mans Master
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 9,420
Likes: 8
From: Southern New Jersey, The wet part at the bottom
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
Default

Originally Posted by beary58
Peanut butter works great on tar. I know it sounds silly, but I read about it somewhere and tried it. Great stuff, but you need put it on after lunch or you may be tempted to........
That sounds crazy. But I believe you.
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2006 | 04:24 PM
  #20  
Gray Fox's Avatar
Gray Fox
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 22,907
Likes: 0
From: Texas
CI 5-6-7-8-9 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Default

Well let me be the first to say CONGRATS on having your car at the NCM!!!

How long will it be there?
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:12 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE