Tanker spill, need advice on cleaning liquid asphalt
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 3,104
Likes: 1,759
From: Atlanta, GA
Tanker spill, need advice on cleaning liquid asphalt
OK, first off, I was not on my bike. I drove to Beaver Springs Dragway for a yearly reunion with my best friend who drag races a '40 ****** for a weekend of fun. Still there!
On Friday In MD, a tanker carrying liquid asphalt flipped on 81N and spilled its guts.
Thankfully no one was seriously injured. I estimate I was less than 10 minutes behind the accident. When I got there, no police or emergency responders yet. One car was hit bad and I saw people being walked to the grassy area on the side of the road. Also saw the truck driver struggling to get break out of the cab. Traffic was still flowing very slowly obviously. It was like driving through an inch of water, but it was liquid asphalt.
And here's where my question comes in. My car has it all over the wheel wells and some areas on the paint near the wheels. I'm planning on removing each wheel and cleaning the wheel wells, etc.
What would you recommend for removing the asphalt? Kerosene was suggested.
I won't be tackling this until next week when I'm home. Just trying to get a game plan together. Thanks for any advice! I'll be at the track again all day tomorrow, then hitting the road to home.
PS. My car was lucky. I saw cars that must have been right there when it happened and their vehicles were badly splattered.
On Friday In MD, a tanker carrying liquid asphalt flipped on 81N and spilled its guts.
And here's where my question comes in. My car has it all over the wheel wells and some areas on the paint near the wheels. I'm planning on removing each wheel and cleaning the wheel wells, etc.
What would you recommend for removing the asphalt? Kerosene was suggested.
I won't be tackling this until next week when I'm home. Just trying to get a game plan together. Thanks for any advice! I'll be at the track again all day tomorrow, then hitting the road to home.
PS. My car was lucky. I saw cars that must have been right there when it happened and their vehicles were badly splattered.
HDF Community Team
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,732
Likes: 1,415
From: Sydney Australia
In Australia you can get various brands of Bitumen, Asphalt Removers & Cleaners - I am sure that you can get the same as one of your auto parts stores.
I have also previously used Degreaser on a rag to remove small spots and then given the area a quick wash. I also think that Kerosene would work as well.
I have also previously used Degreaser on a rag to remove small spots and then given the area a quick wash. I also think that Kerosene would work as well.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 9,914
Likes: 4,660
From: West Texas Sandhills
Try Citrol 266. I have seen videos of it and it literally melts tar on contact. If you can’t find it locally, Amazon has it but prepare for sticker shock. It’s about $23 for an aerosol can. Good luck.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 3,167
Likes: 2,207
From: College Station, TX
Tar-X works well. Says it's safe for painted surfaces.
https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-tar-...kaAn1gEALw_wcB
Paul
https://www.autogeek.net/carpro-tar-...kaAn1gEALw_wcB
Paul
Road Master
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 773
Likes: 124
From: Between purgatory and retirement
Kerosene or mineral spirits for the heavy stuff.
(That is what we used to clean out the hoses, trucks when I use to haul it.)
For fine hairlike strings on paint, just use a good paste wax.
Hope this helps.
.
(That is what we used to clean out the hoses, trucks when I use to haul it.)
For fine hairlike strings on paint, just use a good paste wax.
Hope this helps.
.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 631
Likes: 279
From: Arkansas
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