Removing tar from bottom panels

I did a search of the forums, but my Search skills must be lacking…feel free to post an already-existing thread if you're able to find one that helps me with my question…

It's construction season around here; new blacktop going down on most routes I take. Neither touchless car washes nor washing my Prius C 2 by hand removes stuck-on tar to the bottom-most panels on my car.

I'm using a washcloth or a soft sponge + car wash soap to clean; and no amount of elbow grease or scrubbing gets the small specks of tar off. What I want to avoid is scratching the clear coat/paint. I do have a dual-purpose sponge I imagine is for cars (I have *not* tried it yet; I inherited it from family); on one side is a soft sponge; the other side is a more coarse, white stiff-to-the-touch surface that tells me it's for scrubbing. I'm afraid to use it though; obviously the sponge gets soft when under contact with water; but the rough feel has me worried I'll scratch the paint.

Is that sponge with a more coarse side ok to use? I can take a pic when I get home if that helps…or if not, what's the best method/way to get tar/blacktop/hard black specks off that bottom-most panel? Thanks for any suggestions!

 

Hey thanks all! I'm not sure how I forgot about the bottled tar remover, I remember getting tasked as a kid to get the tar off of my Mom's 1980s gray Buick. Whatever stuff we had at the time barely worked; it was a major pain in the butt. Here's hoping the latest concoction works better.

Appreciate the WD-40 trick & advice. I'll skip the souring-type materials. I figured they'd be bad news, but wanted confirmation. I've got plenty WD-40 at the house now, so I'll start with that stuff & move on to the bug & tar remover if needed…followed by the wash/wax. I've waxed it at least once already & was pleasantly surprised at how little time it took! Benefit of having a small car!

Thanks again.


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