A quick, simple method to remove tar from a motorcycle
One question often asked is how to remove tar from a motorcycle. This article will provide a quick, simple method on how to remove tar with everyday household products.
Tar and these small stone can destroy a Harley-Davidson drive belt if not removed.
Road tar (also referred to as asphalt or bitumen) is a gluing agent or binder used in road construction. For motorcycle riders, tar is the dark black tacky oil-based substance that finds its way into all the lower sections of your bike.
The warmer summer months certainly make for pleasant motorcycling adventures; however, it is also the time of the year when road building contractors are actively resealing roads.
Kerosene will emulsify with the oil in the tar enabling it to wash off easily.
Glistening Polished Chrome
If you’re familiar with our website, you’d be familiar with K-Bear’s Softail. It usually is in pristine condition with glistening polished chrome. A few days ago, she came across a road construction crew resealing a large section of roadway. Consequently, she arrived at the office with her Softail stained with black tar.
K-Bear’s an experienced rider, and she’d slowed right down to a walking pace to minimise the chance of spraying new tar on to her bike. Nevertheless, tar was everywhere.
Given that tar is an oil-based substance, removing it from the motorcycle is different from eliminating bugs and other road grime. On the one hand, this is good news, but it doesn’t actively harden on your bike. However, it won’t come off with ordinary auto soap. You’ll find that regular household kerosene is one of the best tar removers available. Kerosene will emulsify with the oil in the tar enabling it to wash off easily.
Gear Required
- Safety Glasses
- Mechanic’s Gloves
- Pump Spray Bottle
- Household Kerosene
- Auto Vehicle Wash (we use Foamwax by Autoklene)
- Washing Sponge
- Clean Rags
- Wash Bucket
- Chamois
How to get tar or bitumen off your motorcycle
- Wash the bike to remove all road debris
- Spray kerosene onto the tar and allow 5 to 10 minutes to soak.
- Wet the rag, sponge, or mitt with the kerosene and gently wipe the tar spots in a circular motion. Because the kerosene softens the tar, it will smoothly run off when you apply light pressure. Discard the rag once it becomes stained with tar.
- Ensure that there is no tar left on the motorcycle.
- Note: You may have to repeat steps 2 and 3 a few times for sizeable stubborn tar deposits.
- Thoroughly wash the motorcycle with an auto wash to remove any residual kerosene.
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