8 Best Bug and Tar Removers for Your Car

Bugs, tar, and sap can build up on the vehicle and bite into the paint, leaving unsightly spots and lowering visibility. Insects contain acids that can eat away the paint finish and etch by the clear coat. Therefore, you need to remove bugs and tar before they make a lasting impression on the paint, metal, and glass with effective bug and tar remover.



To help you make an informed purchasing decision, we’ve compiled a buying guide with the best products regarding the bug and tar removers for cars.

How Does It work?

A bug/tar remover contains chemicals or solvents which dissolve tar and bug stains on your vehicle, making it easy to wipe them away. To use, just spray the remover on the surface, wait a few minutes for it to act, and then wash the car as usual. This product makes it possible for you to remove bug and tar easily/quickly, without needing to scrub and risk damaging the paintwork.

Types

The two main types of bug and tar removers are aerosol and spray bottle products.

• Spray bottle – Most of these products will come in a spray bottle. You can adjust the nozzle on some solutions to spray in either a concentrated stream or a misted fan pattern. Spray bottle removers can get tiresome if you’ve got a lot of bugs to remove, but they work well when you have to refill the product after it’s nearly gone. These products aren’t necessarily stronger or weaker than other types;
• Aerosol – Pressurized bug removers often spray on and foam up, which can be handy if you don’t want to squeeze the trigger for minutes at a time. As with any aerosol can, you need to be sure you don’t knock the nozzle off the can itself; since then, the solution within is useless. Still, aerosol bug removers can also reach the smallest surfaces and store well for later use.

Benefits

Below are the main benefits of using these products.

• Eliminates baked-on bugs – One of the chief benefits of using a bag remover is that it allows you to get rid of dried on bugs and insects from the car’s windshield, paint, and grill. This’s especially useful if you live in a hot climate where bugs are a common occurrence. Bugs that have been baked on to the vehicle’s surface are hard to remove, and have to be dissolved in order to be eliminated safely;
• Remove tar, tree sap, and grime – Bug and tar removers can also be utilized to treat a variety of other tough stains, such as tar, bird droppings, rubber marks, and tree sap. These can often be quite difficult to remove using water and regular soap;
• Escape damaging in paintwork – As well as improving the aesthetic of the vehicle (no one likes bug carcass decals), one of the key reasons to remove bugs and tar is to avoid damaging the paintwork. Many bugs contain corrosive ingredients that will ruin your paint if allowed to remain. Scrubbing to remove bugs/tar can also scratch the paint – the best method to remove them safely is to apply a specially formulated bug and tar remover that can break down and dissolve bugs, enabling you to wipe them off effortlessly;
• Improved visibility – Removing splattered bugs and grime from the windshield will also increase your visibility off the road, making your driving experience quicker;
• Easier than scrubbing – Why spend the whole day scrubbing your ride, only to remove half of dried on bugs and grime, when you could spray on one of these specially formulated solutions, wait a couple of minutes and wipe them away with ease.

Things to Consider Before Buying

You have to consider these factors before purchasing them.

• Is it safe for the surfaces – Not all bug/tar removers are safe to apply on all surfaces. For example, some contain harsh chemicals that shouldn’t be utilized on clear coat paint finishes. Ensure that the bugs removers you’re purchasing are suitable for use on all the exterior surfaces of your car, and the interior – if you have to use inside;
• Does it contain harmful ingredients – Often the product that does contain is considered more efficient – but you need to exercise caution, as it could damage the paintwork if left on for too long, and can be harmful if consumed. Enzyme or water-based formulas that contain no toxic ingredients are safer, but not might work as well on tough tar stains;
• How long will it last – Consider how much remover you’re getting for the money, and how long it’ll last. A larger bottle doesn’t always mean longer-lasting – some concentrated formulas have to be strongly diluted with water before use;
• Price – Ultimately, when buying a bug/tar remover, factor in price and value for money. Think about whether you’re ready to invest a little more for a higher-quality product, or whether you would prefer to begin with a less expensive formula, which may do the job.

What Is the Best Bug and Tar Remover?

Essentially, these removers are solutions that can dissolve tar and the bug’s guts for quick wiping, all while leaving the waxing over the paint job untouched.

If you’re seeking such a remover, here is a review of 8 of the best bug and tar removers available on the market.

The product works by turning all these stains into mush in a minute so that you can wipe them off but doesn’t affect the paint, underlying wax, clear coat, or decals.

With such power cleaning power, you can apply the remover on multiple vehicles, including RVs, motorcycles, pickups, boats, and even airplanes.

On the downside, this solution is quite expensive, but you get a lot of quantity, and it’s also non-corrosive, non-abrasive, non-flammable, and environmentally.

Pros

• The concentrated solution makes up to 2 quarts of product
• Includes a 1-quart spray bottle
• Works on multiple stains on various surfaces
• Environmentally friendly remover;
• Non-abrasive, non-corrosive, and non-flammable.

Cons

• Needs dilution before use.

Let the product a few minutes to work into the paint and then rinse off for a cleaner vehicle. You won’t need to worry about scrubbing or picking away at leftover bug marks. The manufacturer knows that bugs aren’t the only thing that will deface your car’s front end. Their product will liquidate smudges of all kinds too.

Its biggest drawback is that there aren’t any microfibers included. That means if you have to add a little persuasion to remove stubborn bug guts left behind, you’ll need to use a few rags.

Pros

• Softens and loosens stains quickly;
• Eliminates rubber marks.
• Safe to use on all car exterior surfaces;
• It can be applied on its own or as a pre-wash.

Cons

• Comes without a towel.

Although no towel is included in the pack, no scrubbing is required, and all you have to do is to spray then wipe off the residue. Anyway, there’s an option that comes with microfiber towels, and with a slightly higher cost.

Pros

• Most affordable on the list;
• Adheres ideally to vertical surfaces;
• No scrubbing is needed;
• Leaves a protective level after use.

Cons

• It’s flammable.

You can clean the backs of the side mirrors too. Let it soak in for 3 minutes as you use the rest of your cleaners and then wash the vehicle as normal. Also, you can grab a microfiber towel and hit affected areas only.

The only concern with this bug remover for cars is that nasty bugs will still need a bit of elbow grease to do the job completely. Even a professional-strength cleaner can’t beat them all. Anyway, car detailers and amateurs alike can easily use this product.

Pros

• Quick-acting remover neutralizes acidic stains automatically;
• Releases foam that breaks through hard to reach areas;
• Removes bugs from car efficiently;
• It can be used as a prewash.

Cons

• A relatively small amount of product.

Other functions include being packed in a 17.5-ounce aerosol can, which makes the application operation slightly easier and better for hidden surfaces since the jet is released at high pressure. Mixed, these features make it the top-rated solution in this guide.

Pros

• Cool orange fragrance;
• Formulated with 25% d’limonene for superior cleaning;
• Doesn’t contain petroleum solvents;
• Easy to apply.

Cons

• Flammable.

Pros

• Cool orange fragrance;
• Formulated with 25% d’limonene for superior cleaning;
• Doesn’t contain petroleum solvents;
• Easy to apply.

Cons

• Flammable.

Other functions include being packed in a 17.5-ounce aerosol can, which makes the application operation slightly easier and better for hidden surfaces since the jet is released at high pressure. Mixed, these features make it the top-rated solution in this guide.

The remover works by spraying onto the tar, grime, and bug stain and letting to work its way on the dirt from two minutes, then you can wash off using a soft sponge before rinsing with water.

This bug cleaner also has a concentrated formula that needs dilution, but the manufacturer claims that this product is an excellent option if you’re concerned how to get tar off car.

Pros

• Easy-to-use remover that needs no rinsing after use;
• Safe to use on multiple surfaces;
• Breaks down and dissolves stains for easy wiping;
• It can be added to wash solutions to enhance their cleaning power.

Cons

• It needs longer to dissolve.

This bug cleaner for cars can be used alone or can be applied before washing your vehicle, and after spraying – you’re required to leave it on for about 5 minutes before wiping off. This’s, also a top-notch product that customers are pleased with as it does the job it’s aimed to do.

Pros

• Contains clear coat safe formula;
• Potent foaming action;
• Destroys tar and bugs;
• Safe to use on car paint and all exterior surfaces.

Cons

• Deep scratches take a lot of work to eliminate.