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How To Remove Roofing Tar From Metal | Helpful Tips

Tar is a black, sticky substance that coats the roofs of all kinds of buildings and homes. Tar contains bituminous matter.

In this blog post we go over the Best Ways to Remove Roofing Tar From Metal! Bituminous means “formed from or containing as much as 50 percent by weight (or more) of combined hydrocarbons” which is petroleum tar that has been refined to make it an effective waterproofing agent.

When tar is exposed to the sun, it oxidizes and turns from a dark brown color to black. This combination of petroleum products will hold roofing shingles in place while also protecting them from drying out or being damaged.

Tar is a substance that can get on just about anything, but it is especially hard to remove from metal. Luckily, the tar removal process does not have to be difficult or expensive.

Best ways to remove roofing tar from metal

Here are some of the best ways to remove roofing tar from metal:

  • The first way you can remove roofing tar from metal is with ammonia and baking soda.
    • Mix these two together in equal parts and then apply them onto the area where there’s tar present.
    • Let this sit for 30 minutes before you rinse off any residue with water and dry it off with a cloth or paper towel.
  • Using a wire brush is one of the most effective ways to remove tar from metal.
    • The key is using a stiff bristle so that you can use enough pressure on the surface without harming it too much, and so long as there are no pieces poking out that could catch or snag your clothes, then this method should work well for removing tar from metal.
  • Another of the best ways to remove tar from metal is using a heat gun that can get hot enough to melt through the roofing tar without damaging or warping the material you are trying to clean.
  • Tar can be prevented from sticking to surfaces by applying a layer or two of roofing paint before you add another coating later down the road.
    • This is an effective way for homeowners to keep their roofs tar free for years to come.
  • Another option for removing roofing tar from metal involves using WD-40 and oven cleaner as well as a razor blade scraper.
    • Spray the WD-40 onto any tar residue, let it soak in for about 20 minutes before you begin to scrape away with your scraper.

Note: This process will take some time so be patient when removing this substance from metal. Once you have removed all of the tar, use paper towel or a scrub brush and wipe down the metal to get rid of any cleaning residue.

After the tar has been removed, wash down with water and dry off completely before applying a metal-friendly paint or polish product.

Final Thoughts

This blog post has provided you with the right tools and techniques on how to remove a roofing tar from metal.

Roofers are always looking for ways to save time, money, and effort when they’re working up there on their roofs. Learning about this technique is one way that will help them achieve all three of these goals at once!

They’ll be able to clean off any leftover asphalt or other debris while also giving themselves more room in which to work.

How To Remove Roofing Tar From Metal | Helpful Tips