Can you use tar remover on a car cover?

[AdelynMarie]

Industrial cleaners such as tar remover and asphalt cleaner should not be used. These products are specifically designed for tar and asphalt and are ineffective against residual stains. Moreover, they are toxic, harmful, and corrosive. Using these products can damage even high-quality car covers, and if the cover is already corroded, the damage will only worsen. Here’s an introduction to car covers: 1. Car covers can effectively prevent interior aging: In summer, the temperature inside a car can reach 70-80 degrees Celsius, while a car with a cover maintains a temperature of around 30-40 degrees, which is more comfortable for the human body. 2. Extend the lifespan of car components: By controlling temperature, car covers can help prolong the lifespan of various car parts. They protect the paint, windshield wipers, air conditioning, engine, and other car accessories.

[DiJuliette]

Freshly applied PPF (paint protection film) meeting tar spots can be frustrating. I've seen many cases at car washes where tar removers containing strong solvents work fine on regular paint but may corrode the PPF surface, leaving matte patches. Extra caution is needed for TPU-based films as solvents can cause whitening or hazing. For tar removal, first soften the spot with a wet towel, then dab with dedicated bug/tar remover—avoid wide spraying. Use pH-neutral foam pre-wash for safer cleaning. I've witnessed people recklessly spraying cleaners to save time, only to have entire PPF sections wrinkle and become ruined.

[MacGrant]

Car owners who have applied paint protection film (PPF) are often concerned about damaging the film surface. Tar removers mainly consist of kerosene and xylene, which can dissolve tar but are too harsh for PPF coatings. My neighbor's car developed permanent fish-scale patterns after using such a cleaner. A more reliable method is heat application: soak a towel in 60°C warm water, apply it for five minutes, then gently wipe with diluted car shampoo. If tar is spotted immediately, using a quick detailer (QD) spray might still save the situation. Some brands now offer PPF-specific cleaners with hydrophobic layer protection—slightly more expensive than tar removers but worth the investment.

[McAshley]

The surface of the paint protection film (PPF) is actually a coated anti-contamination layer. Ordinary tar removers can damage this layer. The safest DIY method is to use clay with lubricant, gently pushing it in one direction. For stubborn stains, choose a neutral cleaner labeled as PPF-safe. Once, a car wash mistakenly used tar remover on my PPF, causing immediate rainbow streaks—fortunately, it was replaced for free under warranty. Treat PPF-wrapped cars like phone screen protectors: avoid all solvent-containing products, or repair costs may exceed the price of a new film.