Okay, I finally broke down and bought a Mother's clay bar to try and get a spot of pitch off my hood. This is after trying repeated washings, fingernail scraping, Goo Gone, and cleaner wax, with no success. Last night, I spent 20 minutes rubbing it with the clay bar and detailing spray. No effect. I honestly think it has melted into the clearcoat. What do you people suggest next? Rubbing compound? Wet sanding?

Jordan

detail shop...
if they cant fix it...

re-paint. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/frown.gif

j.

You could always try a glass scraper. It will leave some good scratches behind but the pitch will be gone.

joe

If it's really pitch, try engine degreaser or a bug/tar remover.

At the shop I used to work at, I'd have used adhesive remover or laquer thinner to get this off. Your fault if you let it go long enough to dry...hopefully you didn't.

Poseidon,
I've had success with pouring boiling water directly on some tenacious sap...just devolved away.
Also, '3M adhesive, tar & wax remover' works beautifully for most other evils...may work here.
I could imagine your titanic pitchy-glob may need more soak time, rather than abrasive rubbing.
Ken

My friend's car was sideswiped this past weekend and we spent 4 hrs with a clay bar on his car's driver's side door this afternoon. I really couldn't believe that it took all the crap off the paint... the paint wasn't damaged, but the door was creased. The clay bar (Meguiar's... feels just like poster putty) took off stuff that couldn't be removed with a fingernail or paint cleaner.

It took forever, but it worked! http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by RidinLow (edited May 23, 2001).]

I'm not sure what a pitch is, but if someone told you that clay would work, than it probably does. Mothers clay bar isn't even real clay, it's a very poor excuse for a clay bar. Try a high quality bar like like Pinnacle, or Clay Magic before any drastic measures! Good luck!

When I used a meguire's clay bar it came off on the paint and I had to spend 2 hours cleaning it up.

And before I get flamed... YES I followed all the instructions and have used clay bars on other cars... this was a bum product and I'm never buying Meguire's again.

The #1 best tar/pitch/adhesive remover I've used is WD-40. Works great. You'll need to rewax the area used though...

Marc, I first had trouble with the Meguiar's coming off on the paint, but it doesn't happen as long as you make sure that the clay is rubbing and not rolling over the surface (keep a lot of the clay in contact with the paint). Keeping the surface wet helps this too.

I am extremely happy with the meguiars clay bar. I have had no problems with it and any residue that is left on paint from it after using it always comes right off with the quick detailer.

I was very happy with Mother's clay bar, I could really feel the difference on my paint. It didn't do much about the bugs that are stuck on from 2000 miles of interstate travel, but I don't think those are every going to come off.

Oh well, I'm probably gonna paint my car sometime anyway, I don't think I'm ever going to sell it. http://www.i-club.com/ubb-files/smilies/smile.gif

Marc