5 Best Tar Removers for Cars

Whether you’ve been caught behind a resurfacing lorry or just drove through some poorly maintained roads, chances are you’ve spotted those little black specks around your wheel arches and lower panels. 

That’s tar!

In this guide, we’re breaking down exactly what tar is, how it affects your car, and most importantly, which tar removers actually do the job. I’ve tested and reviewed five of the best tar removers available on the market, so you don’t have to waste time and money trying to figure it out.

What is Tar? How It Builds Up & Affects Appearance?

Tar is a thick, sticky, dark substance that's commonly found on roadways. It's used in road construction and repairs, where it's mixed with aggregate materials to create asphalt.

During hot weather, this tar can soften and splash onto your vehicle as you drive over it. The problem worsens when road works are underway, as fresh tar is particularly prone to splattering.

These tar deposits typically appear as small black specks along the lower portions of your vehicle- the front bumper, wheel arches, side skirts, and rear bumper are most vulnerable. If you've ever touched these spots, you'll know they have a distinctly sticky texture that's resistant to standard car shampoo.

These deposits can bond more firmly with your paintwork, ruining the appearance and even causing permanent damage to your clear coat if left untreated for too long. That’s why you should detail your car with the best tar removers every 2-3 months.

5 Best Tar Removers 

Regular cleaning with a dedicated tar remover is crucial for maintaining your car's appearance and protecting its paint job. So, let's explore the 5 best tar removers that can help you get out of this sticky situation.

1. CarPro TarX Tar Remover

• Price: £12.75 for 500ml.
• Size Options: 50ml, 500ml, 1L, and 4L.

CarPro TarX is a citrus-based degreaser that punches well above its weight. Its fast-acting formula softens tar quickly on all surfaces, including plastics, glass, and even metal surfaces. Plus, it is super-easy to wipe off and doesn’t require excessive scrubbing.

TarX comes in a convenient spray bottle with an adjustable nozzle (apart from the 4-litre packing), allowing for precise application on specific spots or a wider spray pattern for larger areas.

It's safe to use on clear coat, paint, glass, and plastic trim when used as directed, though I recommend testing on an inconspicuous area first.

2. Gyeon Q2M Tar Redefined

• Price: £18.00 for 500ml.
• Size Options: 500ml.

Gyeon Q²M Tar (recently redefined for improved performance) stands out for its non-drip gel consistency. Now, the product stays where applied rather than running off vertical surfaces. This has massively improved the performance and made the Q2M Tar one of the best tar removers on the market right now.

The LOW VOC formula dissolves tar spots remarkably fast, and the pH-neutral composition makes sure the product is safe on all exterior surfaces, including clear coat, plastic trim, and rubber seals. 

3. YumCars Tar & Residue Remover

• Price: £18.00 for 500ml.
• Size Options: 500ml.

YumCars offers another citrus-based tar remover that's harsh on tar and gentle on paint, glass, and plastic surfaces. It effectively breaks down tar spots within minutes and features a subtle, pleasant fragrance.

This versatile product also tackles tree sap, bird droppings, and insect residue, making it a valuable multi-purpose addition to your car care kit.

If you’re new to car detailing and are looking for your first tar remover, this is a good starter. 

4. Duel BlackJack - Tar & Glue Remover

• Price: £10.49 for 500ml.
• Size Options: 500ml, 1L, 5L.

Duel BlackJack Tar & Glue Remover is a professional-grade solution for removing tar and adhesives. Its fast-acting formula, enhanced with emulsifiers, ensures contaminants are dissolved and easily wiped away.

However, it’s not the best option for DIY car detailers. 

The fast-acting formula is a bit too harsh and can cause damage to vintage paintwork and single-stage paint if allowed to dwell for too long. It’s also not suitable for headlight covers and plastic trims, and should not be applied in direct sunlight.

5. Gtechniq W7 Tar and Glue Remover

• Price: £9.95 for 500ml.
• Size Options: 500ml.

GTechniq W7 combines excellent tar-removing capabilities with precision application features.

This quick-acting formula effectively tackles tar, adhesive residue, and some types of industrial fallout without affecting your car’s paintwork. The spray bottle allows for targeted application, reducing waste and minimising exposure to surrounding areas.

The W7 Tar and Glue Remover integrate seamlessly with other GTechniq products. You can perfectly prep surfaces for their protection systems and clean up without worrying about damaging other GTechniq coatings.

How to Effectively Apply a Tar Remover (Like a Pro Detailer)?

Using a tar remover correctly is just as important as picking the right product. If you rush the process or skip key steps, you risk marring your paintwork or spreading contaminants around the surface.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to safely and effectively apply a tar remover.

Pre-wash Your Vehicle

Before you reach for the tar remover, give the vehicle a proper pre-wash or snow foam treatment. This helps loosen surface dirt and reduces the risk of rubbing grit into the paint.

Identify Tar Spots

After rinsing, inspect the paintwork closely- especially around the lower panels, wheel arches, rear bumper, and behind the wheels. Tar usually shows up as small black specks or blobs stuck to the clear coat.

Apply the Tar Remover

Not all tar removers are applied the same way. Some come in spray bottles for quick coverage, while others are thicker, solvent-based formulas that should be wiped on with care.

Here's how to handle each type properly:

Spray-On Tar Removers

These are typically water-based or lightly solvent-based products that are safe to spray directly onto your vehicle's surface.

How to apply:

• Spray liberally onto the affected panel, focusing on areas with visible tar spots.

• Let the product dwell for 1–2 minutes, but never let it dry.

• You’ll see the tar begin to soften and run. It may even streak down the panel slightly.

• Proceed to gently wipe away with a clean microfibre towel.

Solvent-Based/Gel-Type Tar Removers

These products are more potent and designed to dissolve even the most stubborn tar and glue residues. Due to their strength, they’re best applied via cloth to avoid overspray and unnecessary exposure to surrounding areas.

How to apply:

• Spray the product directly onto a microfibre cloth or applicator pad—not the panel.

• Dab or gently wipe onto the tar-affected spots.

• Allow the product to sit for 1–2 minutes to work on the contaminants.

• Then, use a clean section of the towel to wipe off the dissolved tar.

Conclusion

Dealing with tar spots is an inevitable part of car ownership, but with the right products, it becomes a little bit easier. Each of the five tar removers I've listed above offers excellent performance and represents the best options currently available in the market.

With regular maintenance and the best tar remover in your detailing arsenal, you can keep your car looking its best year-round, free from those unsightly black specks that detract from its appearance. Happy detailing!