Removal Of Tar

[bobbie22]

Hi. I would appreciate any advice on how to remove a layer of tar from a wall inside the house. Have tried white spirit and elbow grease with no real luck. I have managed to pick some of it off, but am really stuck. Any help appreciated. Thanks

[gingejbee]

"but am really stuck". Conjures up all sorts of pictures.

[bobbie22]

haha gingejbee

[giveup]

Eucalyptus oil removes tar from fabrics, it might be worth a try ----

[Sam1960]

could you plaster over it ? just a thought !!

[bobbie22]

Thanks give up, well worth a try

[bobbie22]

Not sure sam, its on a wall with no cavity

[penelope2]

If it's on a wall with no cavity I think you'll find that the tar acts as a damp repellent. Perhaps you should seek further advice before removing it.

[bobbie22]

Thanks for the info penelope2. I will take your advice

[Mosaic]

To make it nice for decorating, get some gyproc plasterboard - or even the insulated type, thermaline (has a layer of insulating foam attached) and simply glue this to the whole wall from top to bottom.

[jomifl]

mosaic, the problem with tar is that not much sticks to it. The best solution would be to screw battens to the wall and screw plasterboard to the battens with insulation underneath. I don,t know if it is available in UK but plasterboard with polystyrene foam backing can be screwed directly onto the wall, so you get a flat surface for decorating, insulation and a damp proof layer in one go.

[balliali]

what about going to a car accessories shop and getting the stuff that removes tar from cars? It might just work... I have also heard of people using neat petrol to remove tar from cars.....

[murraymints]

I'd wait for builder to come on here he can advise...tar may be best left if it's a form of damp proofing

[The Builder]

Yes, it could be what's known as "tanking". A damp-proof barrier applied to a solid wall (no cavity).
What's unusual is that you've come across it. The normal procedure is to plaster over it with a backing coat and a finishing coat. You wouldn't know it was there.

Possibly, it's a coat of bitumen paint that's been put on the original plaster. It's a sort of tar-based paint most used for painting exposed steel and corrugated roofs. You also still see it used for the black band (plinth) around the bottom of thatched cottages.

If it is bitumen paint, then it's been put on as a basic damp barrier.
To remove it completely would probably take most of the plaster off as well.

I think the best thing is to block it and re-decorate.
Use something like this............

http://www.zinsserdirect.co.uk/product_info.php?products_id=4

It would be worth asking Zinsser to suggest which primer you need. They have several.