CarCareTruth Score
Mediocre, but wear gloves and ventilate.
Opens Amazon in a new tab. No account needed to look.
Saved to your guest loadout. Sign up to also save to your Cabinet (consumables) or Kit (tools you own).
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure
Prices may varyThe manufacturer's Safety Data Sheet classifies this product with one or more GHS Category 1 health hazards — the most severe tier. The hazard statements in quotes below are the verbatim GHS language from the SDS, as required by OSHA's Hazard Communication Standard. The line under each statement translates the GHS classification into plain language.
GHS Category 1 eye damage — classified as causing irreversible eye damage on contact.
GHS Category 1 aspiration toxicity — thin, oily liquids can slip into the lungs if swallowed, causing chemical pneumonia.
If swallowed, inhaled, or splashed in eyes:
Call Poison Control immediately at 1-800-222-1222 (US, 24/7, free) and have the product container with you. Poison Control's standing guidance is to not induce vomiting after chemical exposure; they will direct first-aid steps based on the specific product.
About this product's hazards. This product's Safety Data Sheet uses signal word danger. Read the manufacturer's SDS and follow all safety instructions before use. CarCareTruth ratings translate the manufacturer's safety sheet. They do not replace the SDS or substitute for a hazard assessment specific to your task.
Health score is for adult use as intended, per the manufacturer's SDS. It does not model child ingestion, accidental spill cleanup, or off-label use. See the safety panel below for full hazard classification, and /disclaimer for the full editorial scope.
GHS hazard codes are quoted from the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet. PPE tiers below translate those codes and the listed ingredient chemistry; they are not CarCareTruth recommendations.
Show details for all categories ▾Hide details ▴
From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
“H318 (serious eye damage Cat 1) is in the SDS §2 mixture classification. Safety goggles are indicated for any splashing exposure.”
— CarPro
U.S. regulatory standard
29 CFR 1910.133(a)(1); 1910.151(c)
“The employer shall ensure that each affected employee uses appropriate eye or face protection when exposed to eye or face hazards from… liquid chemicals, acids or caustic liquids…”
ANSI Z87.1 (chemical splash protection — incorporated via §1910.6)
OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
“H317 (skin sensitizer Cat 1) is in the SDS §2 classification via the orange peel extract ingredient. Nitrile or equivalent chemical-resistant gloves are indicated.”
— CarPro
U.S. regulatory standard
29 CFR 1910.138(a)
“appropriate hand protection when employees' hands are exposed to hazards such as those from… chemicals which produce an adverse effect on the skin or eyes…”
OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
From the manufacturer’s Safety Data Sheet, Section 8
“H335 (STOT SE 3 · respiratory irritation) is in the SDS §2 classification. SDS §8 states respiratory protection is not required under correct use and normal conditions, but directs a particulate respirator when ventilation is insufficient or exposure limits are exceeded. Pump-spray format at outdoor use: H335 classification warrants recommended PPE tier.”
— CarPro
U.S. regulatory standard
29 CFR 1910.1200(f); 1910.132(d)
“The employer shall assess the workplace to determine if hazards are present, or are likely to be present, which necessitate the use of personal protective equipment.”
OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.
CarCareTruth publishes the cited sources verbatim and does not advise what action a user should take. Consult the full SDS before use.
The published Safety Data Sheet for this product does not specify ventilation protection for consumer use.
Workplace context
29 CFR 1910.134(a); 1910.1000
“the primary objective shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination [via] accepted engineering control measures (for example, enclosure or confinement of the operation, general and local ventilation, and substitution with less toxic materials).”
Triggered by GHS H335 on the SDS.
OSHA standards apply to workplaces. Cited here as the U.S. reference threshold for the underlying hazard class.
PPE tiers translate the manufacturer’s SDS and U.S. regulatory standards. Not professional safety advice. How we report safety.
This product ranks #9 of 9 in Bug & Tar Remover.Three above it ↓
Last reviewed June 12, 2026
TL;DR Lifts baked-on tar, asphalt overspray, and adhesive fast with minimal scrubbing · DANGER signal word is real. The SDS §2 classification includes causes serious eye damage and an aspiration hazard (do not swallow; do not induce vomiting per SDS §4): wear goggles and nitrile gloves.
CarPro TarX is a ready-to-use citrus-solvent pump spray for dissolving tar, asphalt overspray, adhesive residue, and bugs from paint, wheels, and calipers. Spray on, dwell 30·60 seconds, wipe with a microfiber · community owners describe tar lifting with minimal scrubbing. A follow-up wash clears the solvent film, standard for this chemistry class. Owner feedback puts reception a notch below the category benchmark, with performance confirmed across highway tar, driveway asphalt, and badge adhesive, though a meaningful share of owners flag temperature and dwell-time sensitivity. Quality score: 7.35.
Owners dealing with infrequent heavy contamination · post-highway tar, construction overspray, adhesive removal · will get the most from TarX. No dilution required. Skip it for regular-wash decontamination: an aqueous wash concentrate handles fresh bugs and tar without the follow-up wash step or solvent chemistry trade-off.
DANGER signal word, driven by H318 (serious eye damage Cat 1), H317 (skin sensitizer Cat 1), H304 (aspiration hazard · SDS §4 directs not to induce vomiting), and H335 (respiratory irritation). SDS §8 indicates goggles and nitrile gloves; respiratory protection is not required under normal conditions but is directed when ventilation is insufficient. The citrus-terpene co-solvent carries a marine-pollutant classification per SDS §14 · the product should not enter surface water or storm drains.
The Safety Data Sheet for CarPro TarX Tar and Adhesive Remover carries a DANGER signal word, with classified hazards including H226 (flammable liquid and vapour); H315 (causes skin irritation); H317 (may cause an allergic skin reaction). See the PPE breakdown above for use-case-specific guidance translated from the SDS hazard codes.
CarCareTruth scores CarPro TarX Tar and Adhesive Remover at 5.4 out of 10 on the composite CCT score, with a health sub-score of 1.5/10. The CCT score blends real-world effectiveness, ingredient health impact pulled from the manufacturer's safety sheet, and environmental footprint against a published category rubric. See the methodology link on this page for the full scoring breakdown.
Per the Safety Data Sheet ingredient disclosure: Ethyl lactate (CAS 97-64-3) 60·<80%; Orange, sweet, ext. (CAS 8028-48-6) 15·<40%. Per SDS §3, Rev 2,2, 2023-04-04. Actual concentrations withheld as trade secrets.
Marketing copy from CarPro, via Amazon. Not editorial.
Weekly pick
One product, one safety verdict, every week. No spam.
Mothers
Speed Foaming Bug & Tar Remover
Chemical Guys
Bug and Tar Heavy Duty Car Wash (CWS104)
Meguiar's
Heavy Duty Bug & Tar Remover (G180515, 15 oz Aerosol)
Griot's Garage
Bug & Smudge Remover
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure
Community
0 postsShare how you use this product
Drop a quick comment or post a full review with photos and a star rating.
Sign in to postNew here? Create a free account.