How to Safely Remove Road Tar & Bugs from a Ceramic Coated Car
Even with a ceramic coating, road tar and bug splatter can stick to your paint like glue. If you try to scrub them off aggressively, you risk marring the coating or creating swirl marks. The good news? With the right products and process, you can remove them easily while keeping your coating’s slick finish intact.
Why Bugs & Tar Are a Threat to Ceramic Coatings
- Acidic Residue: Bug guts can etch into coatings if left too long.
- Adhesive Properties: Road tar bonds tightly to surfaces and resists normal washing.
- UV Baking: Sun exposure bakes contaminants onto the coating, making them harder to remove.
What You’ll Need
- The Super Soaper – pH-balanced pre-soak to loosen debris.
- Tough As Shell – restores slickness after cleaning.
- Bug & tar-specific remover (ceramic-safe).
- Microfiber wash mitt or Orange Wash Microfiber Towel.
Step-by-Step Process
- Pre-Soak: Apply The Super Soaper via foam cannon or pump sprayer, focusing on contaminated areas.
- Apply Bug/Tar Remover: Spray onto affected spots and let dwell for 2–3 minutes.
- Gentle Agitation: Use a dedicated microfiber towel or mitt to softly wipe away residue.
- Rinse Thoroughly: Remove all loosened debris and product residue.
- Dry & Protect: Follow the spot-free drying method and apply Tough As Shell for extra hydrophobic protection.
Pro Tips for Easier Cleaning
- Address bugs and tar as soon as possible—don’t let them sit for days.
- In summer, keep a small spray bottle of detailer in your trunk for quick cleanups.
- Always reapply a ceramic topper after using a bug/tar remover to maintain slickness.
Protect Your Ceramic Coating Between Washes
Our Tough As Shell Ceramic Spray restores water-beading and slickness in minutes. Perfect after bug and tar removal to keep your coating performing like new.
