How do you remove tar from plastic?
#1
How do you remove tar from plastic?
Sounds like a silly question but I have tried everything to remove this tar from a wheel well. The most efective thing I used so far is gas and even that takes tones of scrubbing. These wheel wells are from my W-30 and it sit since 1981 so this tar has been on there for a long time and dried out.
#10
I used oven cleaner on my junk inner fender and it stained the red of the plastic. I may soak a rag with WD40 and leave it sitting on the tar for a day. Maybe it will soak into the tar a little and soften it up.
#14
Eric an old saying applies, 'Like dissolves Like', tar is currentlu from Coal-Tar, Unlike asphalt cement, coal tar is resistant to damage from gasoline, diesel, oil, salt, and chemicals.
WD-40 applied to soak is the best. I soaked a turn signal housing in a covered can of gas for a week, barely softened that crud. WD-40 on a rag, wrapped around the housing in a ziplock bag, wiped off after a day. Course depends on how think of a plastering you have, time will tell.
WD-40 applied to soak is the best. I soaked a turn signal housing in a covered can of gas for a week, barely softened that crud. WD-40 on a rag, wrapped around the housing in a ziplock bag, wiped off after a day. Course depends on how think of a plastering you have, time will tell.
#15
Have you considered kerosene, I thought that was what the asphalt guys spray on the tools, I know WD 40 is amazing stuff I have used it to get concrete to release from glass/windsheild that was splashed on the glass from a cement mixer.
#18
NOOOOOO!
Lacquer thinner WILL remove the tar... AND the plastic too.
Use paint pre-cleaner. This removes tar, oil, and adhesives without damage to paint or plastics. I've used it on tail light lenses with no ill effects. Goo Gone is the same stuff in a smaller consumer-sized package (and thus priced more per gallon).
Lacquer thinner WILL remove the tar... AND the plastic too.
Use paint pre-cleaner. This removes tar, oil, and adhesives without damage to paint or plastics. I've used it on tail light lenses with no ill effects. Goo Gone is the same stuff in a smaller consumer-sized package (and thus priced more per gallon).
#21
Regular smelly oven cleaner seems to remove everything but the plastic.
Do not use the low-fume variety.
This stuff made all my plastic stuff look new.
Let it soak in a while and keep it wet for 15 minutes or so or more is better.
Scrub, rinse, and repeat if needed.
Do not use the low-fume variety.
This stuff made all my plastic stuff look new.
Let it soak in a while and keep it wet for 15 minutes or so or more is better.
Scrub, rinse, and repeat if needed.
#22
Mineral spirits sold under "paint thinner" at some stores will soften the tar even if a few years old. Leave the rag on the spot with another rag over the top in a open well ventilated area.
#23
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Go gone...used it on a brand new vinyl floor that a contractor left a hundred footprints from a driveway just recently tar sealed. Worked great. Do not soak the plastic! Place product on a rag allow to sit for a few seconds and lightly apply to plastic. Do this in stages and the results will be fine.
#25
I used diesel to degrease mine. I sprayed em down let it sit and power washed it with the burner on the power washer. looked great. I have also dipped parts into the chemical solution that the company my dad works for (redi strip) uses to degrease stuff. Usually I can only leave plastic stuff for 5 minutes tops. I can have cyl. heads degreased in by just dipping them for 10 minutes power wash and good. Essentially one of the main chemicals in that tank is the main ingredient in drano. Which is safe on pvc plumbing and plastics.
Last edited by coppercutlass; December 22nd, 2013 at 03:13 PM.
#26
I soaked a rag with WD40 and let it sit on the tar and after about an hour it is starting to brake up. This is going to take alot of WD40 but at least it is working.
Thanks for all the help
Thanks for all the help
#28
#29
I have 6 hours on the bottom side of this inner fender. I still have a long way to go. The tar is off but still need several more hours of wet sanding. This is my extra set that i am testing on. My original set will not need much work compared to this set.
#31
Next time try a bag of dry ice from safeway... set it on the surface in the inner fender, and cover with a towel. Come back in 20-30 mins with a puddy knife- the tar will flake off.
Saw a friend do this with thick 70's factory undercoating and it came off like it was nothing- and no gooey stinky mess of chemicals.
Saw a friend do this with thick 70's factory undercoating and it came off like it was nothing- and no gooey stinky mess of chemicals.
#32
#34
True but I would never do this for the money. The time I have in them compared to the extra money will not likely put me at $10 per hour. I wouldn't do it if someone paid me $40 per hour. The only reason I am doing it is one to figure out how. Two, is to avoid doing something wrong to my good set from my car. I am getting a quote to have a set done but I am worried it will be to much money. That leaves me to do it.
#36
True but I would never do this for the money. The time I have in them compared to the extra money will not likely put me at $10 per hour. I wouldn't do it if someone paid me $40 per hour. The only reason I am doing it is one to figure out how. Two, is to avoid doing something wrong to my good set from my car. I am getting a quote to have a set done but I am worried it will be to much money. That leaves me to do it.
#37
before and after. I lost track of the hours i have in these. I have not touched the top side of them but the top side don't need much. Both have 2 holes driled that should not be there. I am told i can fix them but i am not going to try. The original set to my car are much better than these but still not sure what set I will use.
#38
OOPS!
I decided to try to fix the holes. The one i started with i should have done last. I cut shavings from another junk one i have and melted it into the bad spot. It was going real good and then I got it to hot and burned the plastic. Now i need to grind it back down a little and do it over. I will have to built it up a little so i can sand it smooth. I think i am in over my head on this part.
I decided to try to fix the holes. The one i started with i should have done last. I cut shavings from another junk one i have and melted it into the bad spot. It was going real good and then I got it to hot and burned the plastic. Now i need to grind it back down a little and do it over. I will have to built it up a little so i can sand it smooth. I think i am in over my head on this part.
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