Our Blood Tonic and Spar-Tar tackle different types of bonded contamination. Blood Tonic targets iron fallout, including ferrous brake-dust contamination, while Spar-Tar dissolves road tar and adhesive residue. Wash the car first, inspect what remains and choose the product for that contamination. You only need both when the surface needs both treatments.
If spots remain after a normal wash, scrubbing harder with your wash mitt is rarely the best next step. A targeted cleaner lets the chemistry loosen the deposit before you remove it. Here’s how to choose between our iron remover and tar remover, and how they fit into the same routine when you need both.
Iron remover vs tar remover at a glance
| Contamination remaining | Our product |
|---|---|
| Bonded iron fallout or ferrous brake-dust contamination | Blood Tonic |
| Road tar or adhesive residue | Spar-Tar |
| Both types | Spar-Tar, then Blood Tonic in separate stages |
Appearance is a useful clue, rather than a complete diagnosis. Tar often appears as dark deposits around lower panels and wheel areas. Iron contamination can be much less obvious, particularly on darker paint. Don’t assume that every black spot is tar or every orange mark is removable fallout.
When should you use Blood Tonic?
Choose Blood Tonic bleeding fallout remover when you need to remove bonded iron contamination from paintwork or wheels. Iron particles can come from brake dust, railway dust and industrial sources, and ordinary washing may leave them attached to the surface.
Our reactive formula works on that ferrous contamination so it can be rinsed away. Its thicker consistency helps it cling to the area being treated, giving the product time to work without aggressive mechanical cleaning.
The purple reaction shown on the alloy wheel in our photograph is the characteristic colour change associated with iron removal. It shows the reaction taking place, no reaction, no colour change.
How to use Blood Tonic
- Wash the vehicle first to remove loose dirt.
- Shake the bottle and apply to a cool, dry surface, using the strength specified for the job in our current instructions.
- Allow the product to react with the iron contamination.
- Rinse thoroughly with a pressure washer or a strong stream of clean water.
Work out of direct sunlight and do not let the product dry. Check the current label for the correct dilution and application requirements.
When should you use Spar-Tar?
Choose Spar-Tar tar and glue remover for road-tar deposits or adhesive residue. Lower body panels and areas near the wheels are common places to find tar after driving, while badges, stickers and protective films can leave sticky adhesive behind.
Our hydrocarbon-based formula penetrates and softens these residues, helping you remove them with a gentle wipe instead of repeatedly rubbing a stubborn spot. Built-in emulsifying agents make it easy to rinse away after treatment.
How to use Spar-Tar
- Start with a clean, completely dry surface and shake the bottle.
- Apply a light mist to the affected area.
- Allow several moments for the product to dissolve the contamination.
- Gently wipe away loosened residue with a clean microfibre cloth.
- Rinse thoroughly, then follow with a contact wash using an AutoGlanz shampoo.
Do not apply in direct sunlight or allow it to dry. Let the product soften the deposit before wiping, and keep the cloth used for tar removal separate from your paintwork drying towels.
Do you need both, and which goes first?
You do not need to add both products to every wash. Choose the treatment that matches the contamination remaining after cleaning. If the vehicle has both tar deposits and iron fallout, our routine is to remove the tar first, then treat the iron contamination.
Use them as separate stages:
- Wash and dry the areas requiring tar removal.
- Treat the tar with Spar-Tar, gently remove the loosened residue, rinse thoroughly and follow with the recommended contact wash.
- Prepare a cool, dry surface for Blood Tonic, then apply it according to the current instructions.
- Rinse thoroughly and inspect the cleaned surface before deciding whether further work is needed.
Complete one stage before starting the next. Do not mix the products in a bottle or spray one over the other. Our Pure shampoo is a useful choice for the contact-wash stage when you want cleaning without added wax or gloss enhancers.
Can you use them on a protected car?
Match the product strength and treatment to the job. Our Blood Tonic maintenance guidance includes an LSP-safe dilution; follow the current label to prepare it correctly. Frequent use neat can gradually reduce the durability of waxes and sealants, so stronger treatment should serve a cleaning need.
Use Spar-Tar on the affected deposits rather than treating every panel automatically. Check the suitability of the finish before working, follow the product instructions, and use the appropriate aftercare for your wax, sealant or coating once decontamination is complete. If you are unsure about a repaired, unusual or sensitive finish, ask our team before applying.
Does chemical decontamination replace a clay bar?
Blood Tonic and Spar-Tar target particular contaminants; a clay bar works by physically removing bonded contamination. Start with the appropriate chemical treatment, rinse and inspect before reaching for clay.
If contamination remains and the planned detailing work calls for claying, use a suitable clay and lubricant with a careful technique. There is no need to clay a surface simply because you have used an iron remover or tar remover. Our clay-bar guide explains that separate process.
Common questions
Will an iron remover remove tar?
No. Blood Tonic is designed for iron fallout. For tar spots, use Spar-Tar to soften and dissolve the deposit rather than relying on the iron-removal stage to do a different job.
Will tar remover remove iron fallout?
No. Spar-Tar targets tar and adhesive residue. Use Blood Tonic when bonded iron contamination is the problem; the two products complement each other when both treatments are needed.
Should I use both every time I wash the car?
No. Regular washing and inspection should guide the next step. Target contamination that needs treatment instead of making a full chemical decontamination an automatic part of every wash.
Why are spots still there after treatment?
The remaining mark may be a different contaminant, a deposit requiring another appropriate treatment, or a defect in the finish rather than something sitting on it. Reassess the surface instead of repeatedly scrubbing or applying stronger mixtures. Send our team a clear photo and details of the surface and products used if you need help.
Choose the cleaner for the contamination
For bonded iron, choose Blood Tonic. For tar and adhesive residue, choose Spar-Tar. If you need both, complete the tar-removal stage first, then move to iron removal on a properly prepared surface. That keeps each product focused on the job it was made to do.
