I was wondering if there is anything that will remove tar from paint other than the usual "bug and tar remover". I have alot of tar and rust splashes on the finish. The rust isn't from the panels rusting. But rather a spray from the winter rims (rust from the weight clips) with the thaw and melt. I have tried bug and tar remover which works okay for the tar, but no so well with the rust.

Any suggestions that wont damage the paint??

Rust is tough. Start with a clay bar and see if it works.

ya what he said, rust is a Bitch! you need to get it off ASAP because it will continue to eat into the finish, like hes said try a clay bar, if that doesnt work then all i and think of it a high speed polish, but thats not for the timid :?

After using a clay bar for about 4 hours I managed to get every last spec of rust of the finish of my car. It was a B**CH!!! Next winter I will have to get different weight clips on the rims that dont rust. I wonder if they make stainless steel weight clips?? Anyways, I feel MUCH better knowing there is rust on my car.

Or, just get all the weights on the inside of the wheel.......

Sorry I missed this one last week. There is a product you can find in the clean & polish section of your local grocery store called "Rust Free". It comes in a hand spray bottle and works wonders to remove rust stains from auto paint. It is literally a spray on, set 30 seconds, spray off product. Repeat as necessary.

When I got my truck, it was covered on one side with accumulated rust stains from years of parking where a lawn sprinkler hit it. It took a few applications (three IIRC) to completely remove the rust stains, then a quick polish for good as new.

I've used clay bar for the tiny rust spots, but also find that a pre-wax cleaner (Mothers Phase I) and some elbow grease gets the spots off as well. I used it especially on most white cars I used to detail. For times when you don't have a claybar, it works great.

I highly doubt the the rust was from your wheel weights. do you live and/or work near train tracks and/or industrial area? Because it sounds like you had what is called "Industrial Fallout" which is little airborn metal particals that fly up into the air and land and stick on everything in the area then rust (can be worse in winter) an dlike i saide befor when you get it , you had better get it off ASAP!!!!!