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.

Rinse or wash the surface afterwards to remove traces of the cleanser.

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.

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] X Research source Wear protective gloves when handling powerful chemicals like gasoline or mineral spirits. [6] X Research source

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.

Reapply the stain remover as needed.

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.

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.

Mayo acts similarly to oil in that it both softens and dissolves the tar.

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] X Research source If the tar is stubborn, try substituting distilled white vinegar in place of water.

If you need to protect the surface from scratches, try a plastic scraper once the largest chunks of tar are gone.

After washing, dry off the car with a microfiber towel or chamois.