Best way to get Tar off Harley Chrome Exhaust?
I am trying to get a few spots of tar off my chrome Harley Exhaust pipe. I just about have most of it off but there is one spot that is hard to remove. I've heard that tar remover should work...duh....I've also heard people recommend gasoline and Easy Off Oven cleaner too.
What do you think?
Our Answer:
Gypsy...common problem and the answer is that a LOT of products will take tar off your chrome exhaust. I personally keep a few hunks of very fine steel wool in my shop for just such an occasion.....fine steel wool will not scratch your chrome exhaust at all and will pull the tar off in most cases.
For those times when steel wool isn't available or you just can't stomach the thought of scrubbing your slick chrome pipes, then a dab of bug and tar will work or something like WD-40 or penetrating oil will soften it right up and allow you to rub the tar off pretty easily.
Me personally....steel wool works wonders.
December 15th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Look in the automotive section at the store, they have something called bug and tar remover. It will take care of it.
December 18th, 2008 at 6:54 am
Lighter fluid
December 21st, 2008 at 6:15 pm
White spirit and a cloth, comes off very easily.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:43 am
At work I use a wax remover by dupont. The numbers are 3939, if you have any auto body shops that use dupont products you may be able to buy some from them. 3939 works crazy good, spray some on, let it sit for a minute, spray a little more on then scrub/scrape.
December 22nd, 2008 at 7:26 pm
turpintine works very good. gas would be a tad hard on the chrome i’d think.
December 24th, 2008 at 4:45 am
wd40 or mineral spirits ..
December 26th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
These are some products I use on my HD.
1.Goof Off
2.Whitley’s Bleach White
3.Gas
4.WD-40
5.Acetone
December 28th, 2008 at 7:40 am
WD40 will do it, I have better luck with a regular penetrating oil, the WD is a little wimpy compared to “penetrant”. If it’s pretty hardened (as it may be on a muffler) the carb/choke cleaner or brake cleaner. But spray it on a rag, not direct on the pipe itself.
December 29th, 2008 at 12:24 pm
Get the finest steel wool you can find….I think its listed as extra fine….You’ll think I’m lying but you can rub your chrome as hard as you want and it polishes it like a mirror without leaving a scratch and no water marks. Carry a piece with you on your bike and lose all the chrome polishes and cleaners
ride safe brothers
December 31st, 2008 at 6:06 am
Any solvent, gas ,paint thinner ,W-D 40 etc. Just be sure to follow it with Windex to clean of any residue or that will discolor. If that does not do it ,easy off or paint stripper and follow with glass cleaner. For really tough stuff (Even Bluing) there is a killer product called ‘Blue Job’ that cleans really well without dulling**Not Blue Away** .Blue Job requires some rubbing but gives a great finish product. **Do not use steel wool ,it scratches**
January 2nd, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Turtle wax, Bug and Tar remover. In the automotive section of stores.Non-abrasive (unlike my ex wife.)
January 5th, 2009 at 12:42 am
You gotta be careful with some solvents, they can actually corrode and flake your chrome…best thing to use is industrial oven cleaner. Works well on billet aluminum too.