By Haroun Adamu
Readers like you help support TorqueDial. When you make a purchase using links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. All opinions remain ours. Read more.
If you’ve ever driven down a country road, you know the horrors of bugs and tar splatter. These unsightly messes can be difficult to remove. However, with the right product, ridding your car of them can be a breeze.
This blog post will review the best bug and tar removers for cars and rank them according to performance. It’ll also provide tips on using these products to get the best results. So read on to find out which bug remover is best for you.
Choosing a Bug and Tar Remover for Your Car
When choosing the best bug and tar remover for your car, there are a few factors you need to consider. Here are the most important ones:
1. Type of Dirt You Need To Clean
Most bug and tar removers deal with bug guts just fine, but some don’t show similar results with baked-on tar. Hence, if you’re more exposed to the latter, a solution formulated to remove tar is your best bet.
However, getting rid of tree sap and adhesives is a different ball game altogether. Our list covers the best options for all these nasty stains, ensuring you have the right bug cleaner.
2. Effect on Your Car Paint Job
This is one of the most crucial considerations because you obviously don’t want to damage your paint job while trying to clean it. The good news is that all the products on our list are safe for all paint finishes, so you can use them without worry.
3. Price
The price of a product is always a consideration. But it’s essential when choosing a bug and tar remover because you’ll likely use it more often than other cleaning solutions. The good news is that there are options for all budgets on our list.
With those considerations out of the way, let’s look at the best bug and tar removers for cars, starting with our top pick.
Best Bug and Tar Remover for Cars Overall: McKee’s 37 Road Kill Bug Remover
- Easily removes bug splatter and fresh tar
- Safe to use on all types of paint
- None
McKee’s 37 road kill bug remover is our top pick for the best bug and tar remover for cars. This product easily removes splattered bugs and fresh or baked-on tar spots, leaving behind a clean, shiny finish. It’s also safe to use on all types of paint, making it a versatile choice.
To use McKee’s 37 road kill bug remover, spray it on the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a microfiber cloth or sponge to wipe away the mess. You can also use the solution in a bucket of water with your most preferred car wash soap, which will still be effective.
McKee's 37 Road Kill Bug Remover
It easily removes splattered bugs and fresh or baked-on tar spots, leaving behind a clean, shiny finish.
Best Cheap Bug and Tar Remover for Cars: Armor All Extreme Bug & Tar Remover
- Affordable
- Excellent for bugs and bird droppings
- Not great for tar removal
Armor All extreme bug & tar remover is the best bug remover for cars you can get for cheap. And the best part is that it works—it removes splattered bug guts and fresh tar. However, you may need to double-wipe the area with your microfiber cloth to ensure no streaks are left behind.
Armor All Extreme Bug & Tar Remover
It removes splattered bug guts and fresh tar, but you may need more effort for a streak-free clean.
Best Multi-Surface Bug Remover for Cars: 3D Bug Remover
- Perfect for paint, glass, metal, rubber, and aluminum
- No scrubbing required
- Less effective against tar
3D bug remover is the best bug remover for cars that can be used on different surfaces. This product can be used on car paint, glass, plastic, and headlights and easily removes bug splatter.
Using it is as easy as spraying, waiting, and rinsing to remove bugs—no wiping is necessary in most cases.
3D Bug Remover
It can be used on car paint, glass, plastic, and headlights to remove bug splatter easily.
Best Bug and Tar Remover car wash soap: Chemical Guys Concentrated Bug and Tar Remover
- Removes splattered bug guts with ease
- Can be used as a car wash soap or with a sprayer
- Suitable for most surfaces: glass, metal, plastic, etc.
- Not very effective as a spray
- Not great for stubborn tar
Chemical Guys is a reputable brand in auto detail supplies, and its bug remover is up there with the very best. Chemical Guys concentrated bug and tar remover effectively removes dried, stubborn bugs on your car’s body, grilles, and bumpers.
Unlike the other products on this list, it’s not meant to be sprayed on but mixed in water as soap for a regular car washing process. Hence, it’s suitable for use with a two-bucket wash or a spray bottle.
Chemical Guys Concentrated Bug and Tar Remover
It effectively removes dried, stubborn bugs on your car's body, grilles, and bumpers, but it's better used while washing your car.
Best Tar and Adhesive Remover for Cars: CARPRO TarX Tar & Adhesive Remover
- Cleans dried bugs, tar, adhesives, and heavy grease
- Works fast and effectively
- High cost
CARPRO TarX tar & adhesive remover is a great choice for anyone looking for the best bug remover for cars. In addition to removing bugs, it also works on tar, adhesives, and bird droppings. It even works as a degreaser, making it a versatile choice for keeping your car looking its best.
The downside is that it’s more expensive than anything on this list. Still, if you’re looking for the best of the best, this heavy-duty tar and bug remover is a great choice.
CARPRO TarX Tar & Adhesive Remover
It removes bugs, tar, adhesives, bird droppings, and grease, but it's expensive.
Best Tree Sap Remover for Cars: Stoner Car Care Tarminator
- Very cheap
- Excellent for tree sap
- Not the best bug and tar remover
If you’re looking for a good all-around bug remover, the Stoner car care tarminator is a great choice. It does an okay job removing bugs, but it really shines when used to remove tree sap.
If you’ve ever gotten some pesky goop on your car, you can testify that it’s a pain to remove, especially when dried up — thankfully, the Stoner car care tarminator is a great option for making quick work of it.
In addition to being effective at getting rid of gunk, it’s also very affordable. So if you’re on a budget, the Stoner car care tarminator is a great choice.
Stoner Car Care Tarminator
It's okay for bugs but excellent for tree sap. Plus, it's very affordable.
Best Bug and Tar Scrubber for Cars: McKee’s 37 Road Kill Bug Scrubber
- Removes bug guts with ease
- Safe on clear coat and paint
- Abrasive if not soaked in water
If you’re looking for an effective way to remove bugs and tar from your car without resorting to sprays, McKee’s 37 road kill bug scrubber is a great option. It’s affordable, easy to use, and requires no special products or equipment.
All you need is some warm soapy water filled with car wash soap. It’s also safe on your car’s paint and clear coat, provided you soak it properly and use it gently.
McKee’s 37 Road Kill Bug Scrubber
It's a great alternative to sprays; removes bugs effectively.
Best Practices for Using Bug and Tar Removers
1. Follow Instructions for the Best Results
Be sure to read the instructions on the product label before using any bug and tar remover. This is important because some bug removers require diluting with water, while others may need to be used at full strength.
Additionally, some bug removers may need to be left on for a few minutes before being rinsed off
2. Rid Bugs and Tar as Soon as Possible
The longer dead bugs and tar sit on your car, the harder they’ll be to remove. So be sure to remove them as soon as possible for the best results. Besides, baked-on tar spots and dead bugs can permanently damage your car’s paint or clear coat.
3. Work in a Shady Area and a Cool Surface
For the best results, you want to use these bug removers on a cool surface. Otherwise, they may not work as intended or harm your car’s surface.
Rid Your Car of Nasty Bug Guts, Tar, and Tree Sap
There you have it — the best bug and tar removers for cars, reviewed and ranked. You’re sure to be happy with the results, whichever you choose. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the best practices outlined above to get the best results. Once you’re done clearing the bugs, you might as well wash your car thoroughly.
