Before I got my E, my dad got some tar from the road on the rear fenders. I used to tar remover to get it off. But now the fenders appear lighter where I put the tar remover on it. Should I try the peanut butter thing or should I just buy the cleaner that is sold at auto zone? And remind me again which cleaner/protecter to get?
thanks
L.

I can believe it. We use a "solvent" at the carwash I work at for this sort of thing. It works great but a guy who's worked there longer than I showed me something and now I know why it works great. He took one of those styrofoam coffe cups and poured a little of the solvent into it. Within 10 seconds it had eaten a hole through the bottom the cup and started dripping and then pouring out. He then broke off a little piece from the cup's lip and doused it in solvent. The piece of styrofoam simply melted away into nothing.
All the while I'm thinking "We're putting this on people's paint?".
I've never used it on a non-painted surface like an Element's fender or bumper but wouldn't at all be surprised if it permantly changed its appearance for the worse.

>...styrofoam coffee cups...

That's not a valid "demonstration" of anything other than showing that mineral spirits dissolves styrofoam. Styrofoam is a very primitive plastic. If paint and plastic body panels were made from styrofoam you'd have a problem, but they're not. Once cured, modern acrylates (that is, paint and plastic panels) won't budge when assaulted by most common organic solvents.

"Bug & tar remover" is usually paint thinner with a little wax added. I suspect the lightening of the panels is the wax. When it comes to the plastic panels I simply use a household cleaner like 409 or Fantastic and a stiff brush to remove wax. Give it a try.

When it comes to the plastic panels I simply use a household cleaner like 409 or Fantastic and a stiff brush to remove wax. Give it a try.
After trying many of the cleaner/protectant products on the market, I too have settled on the 409/stiff bristle brush technique as the first line of defense in the panel maintenance wars. Still use a little Mother's Back to Black occasionally, but not for routine cleaning.

So to give the panels and "Like new shine" what should I use? I've been looking on the site and am either gonna use the back to black or Meguiars NXC tech protectant. I want them to be nice and shiny. :grin:
L.

I guess I fell asleep while writing my previous post and never sent it. (long night last night). Based on another post just in, If the discoloration is from wax than the peanut butter might work to remove that. Other than that, what I was saying before is this....

On cars that I have driven in the past, when I got tar on them I was shocked to find that WD40 removed it very easilly. Tar wiped right off with very light rubbing. I would use it when washing the car and finding the tar. Then I would wash again to wash away any residue of the WD40 and would then wax the car. Note here that my past experience was with Tar on PAINT. How WD40 would work on the plastic panels, I don't know. If you are concerned for possible discoloration, try it on an inconspicuous hidden area before going at the whole panels. I have heard, in the past, that WD40 will also remove your paint protectants and or wax. So, best not to use it unless you are doing a thourough wash where you will be planning on waxing or applying new paint protection.

If the panels are discolored due to the tar remover and not a wax component to the remover, than you might try a product called "Back to Black". Some have said that it works well to restore the appearance of the plastic panels. I have heard though that it actually darkens the plastic to a darker Black, rather than the original color. I, personally, prefer the original color (dark gray) so I have shyed away from using it on my car. But, if you don't mind it you might try it.

Check out the search feature here to find more on your problem or the Back to Black. Try Back AND Black and Panels AND Fading or Panels AND Discoloration. Use the AND in all caps between words to tell the search engine that you want posts that have both terms.

Note also that different Elements have different panels. Ie., the DX and I think LX have a different panel than the EX. So, your experiences could be different on one over the other. The EX panels are coated or made up of a material that is more resistant to dirt or staining ??? whereas the LX and DX panels, I think, are not and are more prone to the wax problems, staining, dirt and so forth.

Yeah, mine is a dx, but if I do use the back to black, would that hurt my panels, or just make them a little darker, cuz that is fine by me. I just want them to shine like new.
L.

Try some of the searches that I suggested. Like I said, I have never felt like using it on mine since I don't want to darken the panels. My understanding though is that it is a highly recommended product and that it won't harm the panels. Just darken them. But, I will leave that advice to you, to someone who has actually used the product.

carpet cleaner :) works well but dont use too much can damage paint, 409 would probally be good too

Would a claybar work? It surely would do the trick on the paint.

Speaking from a true maintenance-man background, I can attest that WD40 is the GODSEND of removing tar-like substances. It will remove built-up, sun-dried duct tape adhesive, nicotine (dont use on the windsheild =] ), anything.

The only thing I would be somewhat concerned with is the WD40 leaving a greasy spot on your plastic. I had a Saturn SL1 and had some similar problems, although not from WD40.

It works wonders though.

That would be the same caution I would have. I have only used it on normal cars with all metal body panels or painted surfaces. I use it during my washing of the car so it would never be a problem. During the course of washing, if I would see some tar etc. I would spray with WD 40 then wipe and wash the area and ultimately wax later. I haven't had to use it on the Element so I don't know how it would be on the plastic. I would guess no different except for, as you state, a greasy appearance.

SO, perhaps, before doing a final wash, take a rag with some DAWN on it and wipe down all the effected areas, especially plastic. Then finish washing and waxing as usual. The DAWN should remove the oily residue. Note that, some have mentioned that DAWN might also remove your wax or other paint protection so avoid getting it on painted surfaces unless you are intending on waxing them when you are through. Of course, if you have to remove tar from your paint, you should plan that anyways when it, (the tar), has been removed.

Does any of this make sense to others?