How to Remove Tar from PVC, Plastic, or Car Bodies

Co-authored by Dan Hickey

Last Updated: October 25, 2022 References

Tar is a notoriously sticky substance, and it can be a huge headache when it gets on PVC, other plastics, or even worse, on your car. Thankfully, you have a lot of options when it comes to de-tarring your PVC surface or car plastic without damage. We’ve put together a handy list of ways to remove tar from plastic and cars, from commercial cleaners to household chemicals to natural DIY solutions. If you’re ready to get out of a truly sticky situation, read on!

Things You Should Know

Apply commercial tar removers or chemical cleaners like Citrol or Goo Gone to tar spots and wipe them clean with a microfiber cloth.
Try household chemical solvents like WD-40, mineral spirits, or kerosene if you don’t have a commercial cleaner on hand.
For non-toxic cleaning options that won’t damage surfaces or finishes, try using vegetable oil, mayonnaise, or even peanut butter.

1

Apply a commercial tar remover spray or paste.

Apply the tar remover to a microfiber cloth or directly to the tar if it’s dry. Rub the tar with your cloth in circular motions. As the tar softens and rubs off, turn over the cloth so you’re using the clean side. Keep rubbing until the tar is gone, using additional clean cloths if necessary.^{[1]
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- If you’re removing tar from a car, wash the area with car wash soap and rinse. Apply car wax if the finish or shine seems dull afterward.
- Spray removers tend to work faster than pastes, but pastes are more economical since you can apply them directly to small tar spots.

2

Cut through tar spots with Citrol.

Use Citrol or other citrus cleaners for a less toxic, biodegradable option. Soak a microfiber cloth in Citrol and set it on the tar spot for 10 minutes. Then, use a different clean cloth and light pressure to wipe the tar spots away. Reapply and repeat as needed.^{[2]
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- Rinse or wash the surface afterwards to remove traces of the cleanser.

3

Rub the tar away with WD-40.

Put on protective gloves and spray WD-40 onto a soft, clean cloth. Rub the cloth all over the tar spot and let the WD-40 sit for about 10 minutes. Then, grab a clean cloth and wipe the lubricant away in circular motions until the tar is gone.^{[3]
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- Wash the surface and reapply the sealant, finish, or protective clear coat to your PVC or car after cleaning with WD-40, since this can eat through protective finishes.
- Keep WD-40 away from glass or windows. It will leave a coat of oil that’s difficult to remove.

4

Dissolve the tar with a chemical solvent.

Soak a clean rag in gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, or mineral spirits. Place the rag on the tar spot and let it sit for 10 minutes. Lift the rag away and wipe the surface with a new, clean cloth to remove the tar (keep several cloths on hand so you’re always wiping with a clean one). Repeat until the tar is gone.^{[4]
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- If you’re wiping a car body or a waxed surface, you may need to reapply the finish if it gets stripped away by the solvent.^{[5]
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- Wear protective gloves when handling powerful chemicals like gasoline or mineral spirits.^{[6]
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5

Cut through persistent tar spots with Goo Gone.

Spray Goo Gone onto a clean cloth and start rubbing it onto the tar. In most cases, stubborn tar will lift right off. If it doesn’t, let the tar soak in the Goo Gone for several minutes and then try again. Replace your cloths as they get dirty and rub until the tar lifts away. Rinse the area thoroughly.^{[7]
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- Goo Gone will most likely eat through any sealant, wax, or possibly even paint. If you’re using it on your car, have some spare paint with a matching finish on hand just in case.

6

Use a laundry stain remover.

Spray a pretreatment stain remover onto the tar or rub it on with a cloth. Apply an ample amount so that the tar is saturated, then wait a few minutes for the tar to loosen or start running. Wipe the tar away with a clean cloth and rinse the surface with clean water.^{[8]
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- Reapply the stain remover as needed.

7

Soften tar spots with household oils.

Apply drops of vegetable, soybean, canola, or linseed oil to the tar.^{[9]
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- Oils won’t remove finishes or sealants from PVC or car bodies and are cheap and easy to find compared to tar removal products.
- Try mixing equal parts oil and distilled white vinegar to create a stronger cleaning solution.

8

Smear peanut butter over the tar.

Put a dollop of peanut butter onto the tar and let it sit for 30 seconds. Then, grab a clean cloth and wipe the peanut butter and tar away. Repeat as needed, then rinse or wash the area with clean, soapy water.^{[11]
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- To spread peanut butter over a large tar spot, apply it to a microfiber cloth first and then rub it around the area until all the tar is covered.
- Peanut butter works slower than chemical solvents, but is safe for any plastic or car body surface.

9

Loosen the tar with mayonnaise.

Put a thick dab of mayo directly on to the tar spot. For large or multiple spots, smear it all over the area. Let the mayo sit and soften up the tar for up to 10 minutes, then wipe it away with a clean cloth. Repeat as needed, then rinse and wash the surface to remove any traces of mayo.^{[12]
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- Mayo acts similarly to oil in that it both softens and dissolves the tar.

10

Make a paste of baking soda and water.

Mix equal parts baking soda and water and rub it on the tar. Use a wet rag and apply moderate pressure while you scrub the tar away to take advantage of the baking soda’s abrasive nature. Repeat as needed, then rinse the paste away with clean water.^{[13]
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- If needed, let the baking soda paste sit on the tar for a few minutes to soften it up.
- It’s possible that cleaning with baking soda will leave small scratches on plastic surfaces. If so, buff them out with a soft cloth.^{[14]
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- If the tar is stubborn, try substituting distilled white vinegar in place of water.

11

Scrape off dried tar.

If you don't mind scratches, remove the tar by hand with a metal scraper. Chip away as much of the tar as you can, then wash the area with hot water and dish soap to target tar residue. Continue scraping and washing until the tar is gone.^{[15]
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- If you need to protect the surface from scratches, try a plastic scraper once the largest chunks of tar are gone.

12

Give your car a total wash to remove tar splatters.

Use car wash soap to clean up tar, sap, bugs, and other sticky residue. Move your car out of direct sunlight and use an auto wash mitt to apply the soap all over the body of your car. Scrub in long, back-and-forth motions rather than circles or swirls. Rinse the car and repeat until all of the tar is gone.^{[16]
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- After washing, dry off the car with a microfiber towel or chamois.

Warnings

Avoid using pure petroleum as a solvent. It will remove tar, but will likely destroy any paint jobs or finishes on car bodies or plastic surfaces.^{[20]
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