Chemical Guys logo

Chemical Guys

Bug & Tar Remover

alkaline

Best Value

$0.39/oz

1gal

Heavy-duty concentrate bug and tar remover with versatile application methods

Key Chemistry

pH Level

11.4

Active Mechanism

alkaline surfactant solvent

Surfactants

4 (anionic)

Expert Analysis

Versatile alkaline concentrate using multiple anionic surfactants, butoxyethanol solvent (1-5%), and sodium metasilicate (1-3%) for heavy-duty bug and tar removal. pH ≤11.4 as concentrate. Designed for multiple dilution methods: spray bottle (6:1), bucket wash (2oz per bucket), or as additive to other soaps. Solvent + alkaline + surfactant combination breaks down protein-based bugs and petroleum-based tar.

Key Differentiators

  • Versatile concentrate with 3 dilution methods
  • Can be used as standalone wash or additive
  • Good ingredient transparency (65% disclosed)
  • Lower hazard than P&S Bug Off (Warning vs Danger)
  • Multiple anionic surfactants for broad cleaning spectrum
  • Contains butoxyethanol solvent for tar dissolution

Potential Concerns

  • Contains California Prop 65 chemicals (Sulphur dioxide, 1,4-dioxane)
  • Combustible liquid
  • Causes eye and skin irritation
  • Contains butoxyethanol (health concerns)
  • 6 ingredients withheld as proprietary
  • May be too aggressive for routine washing

Ingredients

17 disclosed
Proprietary Diluentwithheld
CAS: N/Adiluent
Butoxyethanol / 2-butoxyethanol1-<5%
CAS: 111-76-2solvent

Acute Tox. 3: H331; Acute Tox. 4: H302; Eye Irrit. 2A: H319; Flam. Liq. 4: H227; Skin Irrit. 2: H315 - Danger

Sodium Silicate Pentahydrate / Sodium metasilicate pentahydrate1-<3%
CAS: 10213-79-3processing aid

Eye Dam. 1: H318; Met. Corr. 1: H290; Skin Corr. 1B: H314; STOT SE 3: H335 - Danger

Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid1-<3%
CAS: 68584-22-5surfactant

Eye Irrit. 2A: H319 - Warning

Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonatenot_disclosed
CAS: 68439-57-6surfactant
Proprietary Inorganic Saltwithheld
CAS: N/Achelating agent
Proprietary Alkyl Aryl Sulfonatewithheld
CAS: N/Adetergent additive
Proprietary Inorganic Acidwithheld
CAS: N/Aph adjuster
Benzisothiazolinonetrace
CAS: 2634-33-5preservative
Proprietary Alkylbenzene Derivativewithheld
CAS: N/Asurfactant
Sulfuric Acidtrace_impurity
CAS: 7664-93-9impurity
Proprietary Inorganic Basewithheld
CAS: N/Aph adjuster
Sodium Hydroxidetrace
CAS: 1310-73-2ph adjuster
Methylisothiazolinonetrace
CAS: 55965-84-9preservative
Sulphur dioxidetrace_impurity
CAS: 7446-09-5impurity
Proprietary Coloranttrace
CAS: N/Acolorant
1,4-dioxanetrace
CAS: 123-91-1preservative

Source: california sb258 disclosure

Safety Profile

Signal Word
Warning
Eye Hazard
H319 - Causes serious eye irritation (Category 2A)
Skin Hazard
H315 - Causes skin irritation (Category 2)
Corrosive to Metals
No
Flammable
Yes

Lower hazard profile than P&S Bug Off. Warning signal word vs Danger. Contains California Prop 65 chemicals. Protective equipment recommended.