Need to remove tar like gunk

[Guest]

The previous owner of my 63 project Lark put down some kind of tar or asphalt like coating in the trunk area, covering rust and now I'm trying to remove it. The propane torch and p-knife work okay but it stinks and catches fire. The aroma is awful and I'd prefer to use something off a store shelf that would soften it up. Then I could go over it with a solvent and get back to bare metal. I don't care about removing the paint. Would something like zip strip work?
Thanks!

[BobGlasscock]

Don't have a product suggestion, being the CASO I am. Try using a heat gun (hair dryer) to soften the gunk and continue with the putty knife.

'50 Champion, 1 family owner

[rockne10]

Spraying it with something like diesel fuel or kerosene would soften it but it will take a while for the odor to dissipate.
I used to work in an industrial laundry and there was a wash additive that had all the properties of kerosene, dispersed in water and left no odor. I don't remember what it was called but it would get tar, old diesel oil and just about anything else out of clothes in one wash cycle. I remember it weren't cheap.

[N8N]

kerosene/diesel is the ticket. just wipe it down with a saturated rag and leave it for a few hours. if it won't clean off, just repeat. Works great for asphalt stuck to the inside of wheel rims too. You'll have to clean again with lacquer thinner or something after you're done though; when kerosene evaporates it leaves a wax behind. (that's why old school farmers used to wash their tractors with it)

nate

--
55 Commander Starlight

http://members.cox.net/njnagel

[Guest]

Thanks Guys - I've got a can of kerosene and will use it!

[rockne10]

If you don't want to harm paint, use prep-sol for your final cleaning.

[EchoDelta]

WD-40

[img] http://usera.imagecave.com/EchoDelta/President.JPG [/img]

[jlmccuan]

Maybe that's why the British call kerosene pariffin?

Jim

____1966 Avanti II RQA 0088_______________1963 Avanti R2 63R3152____________Rabid Snail Racing

[Nelsen Motorsports]

I had the same problem on my car. I got the stuff on the rear fenders off with a wire wheel, but paint remover works best. If you are welding near it or on it watch out, It's flammable!

Alex Nelsen
1954 Champion Coupe
Lizella, GA