In hot weather asphalt softens, and roadworks leave fresh tar on the surface. The wheels throw it up, and after a ride you find sticky black spots on the mudguard, fairing, frame, exhaust and wheels. The longer they stay, the harder they bond to paint and chrome.
Tar dissolves in oily substances, so water and shampoo will not shift it. WD-40 Multi-Use works well here: it penetrates the tar spot, separates it from the surface and lets you wipe it off with a soft cloth.
What you will need
Important: Keep WD-40 off brake discs, pads, tyres, the seat, handlebar grips and footpegs. Do not use a pressure washer near bearings and connectors. Wash the bike cold and in the shade: products dry on a hot exhaust and leave marks.
Step 1
Assess the contamination
In daylight, look the bike over: how many tar spots there are, whether they are fresh or dried on, and whether they are on paint, chrome or matt plastic. Fresh tar comes off quickly, old tar needs more time. This tells you how long to leave the product on.
Step 2
Pre-wash the motorcycle
First remove ordinary road dust and grit, or you will rub abrasive particles into the paint while working on the tar. Wash the bike with a sponge, warm water and mild shampoo, avoiding the tar spots themselves, and rinse with clean water.
Do not use a pressure washer: the jet forces water into bearings and electrical connectors.
Step 3
Dissolve the tar with WD-40
Spray WD-40 Multi-Use generously onto the tar spots and leave for 5-10 minutes: it penetrates the tar and lifts it from the surface. On spokes, brackets and in gaps in the fairing, apply it through the straw of WD-40 Smart Straw.
For old spots, lay a cloth soaked in WD-40 over them so it works for longer. Then gently wipe the tar away with a clean cloth, without heavy pressure on painted surfaces. Repeat if a mark remains.
Step 4
Wash the motorcycle thoroughly
Once the tar is gone, wash the whole bike again with warm water and mild shampoo to remove any remaining tar and the oily film. Pay extra attention to the areas where the spots were. Rinse with clean water and dry with a soft cloth to avoid water marks.
Step 5
Polish and protect
Apply polish or wax to painted surfaces in small circles, leave for a few minutes and buff with a dry microfibre cloth to an even shine. Do not polish unpainted plastic or rubber, as it may leave blotches.
On chrome parts you can apply a thin film of WD-40 Specialist Silicone with a cloth: it adds shine and repels water. Protect bolts, lever pivots and chain brackets from moisture with WD-40 Multi-Use and wipe off the excess.
Tip: Polishing every 2-3 months builds a smooth layer that tar and insects find much harder to stick to. It saves a lot of cleaning time in summer.
What next
After riding through roadworks, remove tar the same day. At the end of the season, give the bike a thorough wash and treat the metal with WD-40 Multi-Use before winter storage.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».