A couple of days ago I purchased an 88 F150 XLT Lariat. It's in very good condition all around, but in the bed there is some hardened tar. I have a professional power sprayer that can take the paint off of any car. I tried to use that, but I didn't have any luck. Any ideas???

 

There are two ways that I would try to remove that tar:

1) Heat it with a heat gun or other heat source that won't hurt your paint and then scrap it away with a putty knife or screw driver. Then use PB to remove the remnants.

2) Use PB Blaster, rust penetrator. Spray and let it soak a few minutes, then rub. Repeat until the tar remnants are gone. (That PB rust penetrator comes in a white can with yellow top and is strong enough to melt away a styrofoam cup. So it would most likely remove paint if left on painted surfaces too long.)


There is also a theory that I have not tried yet: You could get some dry ice and place a piece on top of the tar and after a few moments it should be frozen so hard that it's brittle and then tap away at it with a hammer to break it into loose little pieces. Around here dry ice is sold in our local Reasors super markets. I'd wear gloves and face protection when messing with that dry ice also. It's dangerous when it comes in contact with skin!!!

 

Paint thinner and an old towel. Won't hurt the paint, works great on tar.

 

I know 3M makes a anhesive/tar remover that you can find anywear and it works great when I get sap on my truck...but I don't know how much tar we are talking

 

Who/what is this PB I keep hearing about? Are they an east coast thing, or am I just ignorant (don't EVEN go there, signmaster )?

As far as tar, just because I feel like sharing, I discovered this "stuff" that works awesome and doesn't harm paint. It's called wax remover, and is available at furniture and arts and crafts stores, and is for removing candle wax from things.

Take care,
-Chris

 

Gaaaaawwwwddd Chris...... You don't know what PB is, and you're a crew chief? I have no idea what it is myself....

The wax remover sounds worth a try. One I have found that works fairly well is skin oil, like bady oil. It is thick enough to stick to the tar, and thin enough to penetrate.

Something I learned as a sign painter, fight oil based products with oil based products..... A little 5w30 will clean tough oil based paint off stuff faster than most removers. Some of the more oily hand cleaners such as GoJo, do fairly well though, and don't cause as much cancer in lab rats.

 

One of the best hand cleaners there is happens to be Dexron tranny fluid. It's bad for you, but will remove anything. Ever seen an auto tranny mechanic with dirty hands? Didn't think so.

Take care,
-Chris