Got back yesterday and when I went to clean the bike noticed that most front surfaces felt gritty after cleaning - particularly front fairing, lowers, headlight and spotlight surfaces. Cannot seem to be able to get this gritty surface off of any of these surfaces. Looks good visually but not smooth like glass anymore. ... appears to be like some type of sap or road tar. Any ideas what is best to use to get this off without hurting the finish of the paint? Need help!

 

If you have some hydrogen peroxide try mixing it 50/50 with water. Maybe add a little vinegar as well. Dab it on and let it sit a bit then wipe with a soft towel.
WD40 works well on stuff like tree sap.

 

If it is tar, I found some bug and tar remover at Carquest for $2.75 that took it right off.

A couple of weeks ago, up near Salt Lake City, a piece of tar paper blew against my right side lower and smeared tar on it. I tried alcohol with no success. The tar and bug remover wiped it right off and clean.

 

X2 on the WD-40

 

Use some Naptha, wipe down wash a little then get a claybar out, wash again and a coat of wax. That will fix you right up. Naptha won't hurt your clear or paint but it will get the gunk off. The claybar will smooth it right out and get it ready for some good wax.

 

Time 2 on the clay bar. It's a miracle worker.

 

Thanks for the input. Believe I found the cause also. Went down about a 30 minute strech of newly repaved road in VA a couple of weeks back. Beleive there may have been mild tar spray coming off the asphalt from vehicles in front of me. While not enough to be visisble to the eye, the sandpaper feel and the lack of abiltiy of cleaners (S100, washing, etc.) to get this stuff off may explain it. Got a clay bar and some bug remover. They are the next steps. If they do not work will try WD-40 or Naptha as other recommendations suggested.

 

FWIW, bug and tar remover was useless. Clay bar did the trick!

 

clay bar for this type of contamination everytime!

 

Did you determine what was on your fairings?