WD-40

[bobscott]

I am sure that people less naif that I am will know this, but I have discovered the magic properties of WD-40 when getting rid of tar which has splashed up on to the car. Yesterday we were returning from a day out in Sougia and somewhere near Alikianos came across road works. There was no option but to drive through a couple of stretches that were recently treated with whatever it is they put on roads prior to laying tarmac, plus another stretch where the tarmac had been laid. Result, lots of thick black sticky stuff on the sides of the car!

Internet research showed peanut butter (!) and WD-40 as means of removing the gunk. Early this morning (6.30 am before it was too hot), I sprayed the affected areas with WD-40 and watched in amazement as the black stuff just dissolved before my eyes! Car clean in about 20 minutes. Magic. Just passing this on in case anyone else gets similarly caught and is daunted at the prospect of removing the tar.

A friend told me the basic ingredient of WD-40 is fish oil and the figure 40 reflects the number of attempts to find a successful formula before BINGO!

Bob.

[Jean]

Diesel will do it too and is cheaper if you need to clean a larger area. And if you have oil central heating you probably have some nearby.

[evansmr1]

WD 40 is an excellent cleaner, bugs of the car paintwork. Dirty muddy trainers. Will also waterproof them. Many more wonderful things that it will do. But do not forget it will help with the stubborn nut/bolt, screw and rusty locks.

[Kilkis]

I've never tried it but I am told that it will also facilitate removal of old silicone seal round a bath/shower.

When it comes to freeing rusted on bolts it does indeed help but I believe it also tends to promote rust in the long term so, once the bolt is freed, it is better to clean the WD 40 off and lubricate with a mineral oil/grease.

Warwick

[Kamisiana]

Also fantastic for killing cockroaches with a direct blast

[Tim]

(6.30 am before it was too hot)

There's a 6.30 in the am? Blimey! Who knew?

Tim

[Maud]

Thanks Bob. We know all about getting tar on the car, but not about WD40 to get it off!
We have used diesel in the past but will give it a go, as we always have some WD40 to hand.

[Jeffstclair]

It's great for cleaning plastics ....like the black strips on the car doors bumpers and stuff like that ...and in my old life back in the UK I used it to waterproof and add fuel to fire sculptures ....

[George]

WD40 stopped using fish oil as an ingredient many years ago. People still swear by it as a scent additive for fishing bait though. Not too good for the sea though I would imagine.

[peebee]

Also good for removing adhesive labels on jars.

[Andy]

Such a useful item that when we left the UK we brought some with us not realising it was readily available here!