Prevent Tar Damage from Road Construction
Hot summer roads can turn into a sticky mess on your vehicle. This is especially true in repair zones where crews have applied asphalt, more commonly referred to as "tar."
The thick, gooey substance turns hard when it cools and becomes difficult to remove safely. Also, asphalt can cause permanent damage to your car if left on painted surfaces.
"Tar is a bigger problem for vehicles in warmer weather because it becomes stickier," said Mike Schultz, senior vice president of research and product development at Turtle Wax. "Natural solvents in the tar can migrate into your vehicle's paint and cause permanent stains."
The damage can occur quickly, too. Tar damage can appear in as little as a week. "The solvents cause the paint to swell and create a brownish color," Schultz said.
Problems with tar are similar to damage caused by tree sap. Both contaminants are gooey substances that interact with the paint and cause discoloration. They also harden in cool temperatures and become more difficult to remove.
Technically, the word "tar" refers to a substance made from pine trees. It was used for centuries as a natural wood preserver, sealer and disinfectant.
The term became associated with asphalt because it has characteristics similar to pine tar. In contrast, asphalt is a petroleum-based compound and combines readily with gravel for road construction.
"Waxing your vehicle frequently helps prevent tar solvents from migrating into the paint and creating the chemical reactions that cause stains," Schultz said. "Wax becomes a 'sacrificial layer' of protection between environmental contaminants and the paint. It also makes removing tar easier."
Cars that sit outside also are more susceptible to damage, Schultz said. Heat and ultraviolet light from the sun activate the solvents and bake tar onto the vehicle surface.
What to do?
Schultz made the following suggestions for protecting your vehicle against tar damage:
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Avoid or slow down on streets that have received a new layer of tar. Tires can splatter the sticky substance on the undercarriage of your car
Remove tar as soon as you notice it. Left on your vehicle, tar can cause permanent discoloration in as little as a week.
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Wash your vehicle with a quality car cleaning solution. Fresh tar may come off readily without using special chemicals.
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Use a tar removal solution made specifically for automobiles if washing doesn't work. These types of products soften the substance without hurting your vehicle's paint.
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Re-apply wax to any area where you applied a tar removal product.
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Wax your vehicle regularly. This provides a layer of protection between environmental contaminants and your vehicle. It also protects against damage caused by the sun.
"The sun bakes contaminants such as tree sap and tar," Schultz said. "Cars that are parked outside all the time should be waxed frequently."