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Best way to clean tar off alum pedal?

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Old 07-23-17, 05:56 AM
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daveed
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Best way to clean tar off alum pedal?

Not sure what to use to get sticky road tar safely off my right VP pedal. Acetone? Can anyone help? Thanks.
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Old 07-23-17, 06:18 AM
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daveed -

Varsol? Citrisolv citrus based cleaner? Both comparatively gentle solvents which shouldn't damage metal surfaces.
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Old 07-23-17, 06:22 AM
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Go to any auto part store and get "bug & tar remover".
It looks like liquid hand cream, and easily dissolves tar w/o harming paint or your skin.
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Old 07-23-17, 07:43 AM
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A toothbrush, a rag, and some odorless mineral spirits.
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Old 07-23-17, 09:23 AM
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WD40 works great to cleanup sticky stuff!
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Old 07-23-17, 09:37 AM
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Gas and a rag
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Old 07-23-17, 10:44 AM
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Originally Posted by JohnDThompson
A toothbrush, a rag, and some odorless mineral spirits.
+1

Acetone will work, too, but it's harsher on your skin and it will remove most paints so if you get it on your frame...
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Old 07-23-17, 10:46 AM
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Originally Posted by Mr. 66
Gas and a rag
While this works, gas (gasoline) has a whole bunch of carcinogens like benzene in it.

I realize that, back in the day, we used to wash our hands with the stuff to get grease and tar off. That was suboptimal. Strongly recommend against using gasoline as a solvent, especially if you're going to get it on your hands and/or breath a lot of the fumes.
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Old 07-23-17, 11:08 AM
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+1 on WD40.
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Old 07-23-17, 11:38 AM
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olive oil and a cotton cloth .... it also works to remove tar from your carbon frame
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Old 07-23-17, 01:02 PM
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Originally Posted by WizardOfBoz
Strongly recommend against using gasoline as a solvent, especially if you're going to get it on your hands and/or breath a lot of the fumes.
+1; Don't use gas.
Gas also evaporates quickly and is an explosive hazard in confined space.

Given things like mineral spirits and WD-40 are equally effective and much safer, there's no reason to use gas for cleaning.
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Old 07-23-17, 02:28 PM
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Brake cleaner.
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