Koch-Chemie Orange Power Tar & Glue Remover

Some contaminants simply aren't going to shift with conventional washing. Sticky residue left behind by stickers, dried tree sap, rubber marks and small tar deposits can all cling stubbornly to paintwork, and trying to scrub them away often does more harm than good. That's when a specialist solvent cleaner becomes invaluable.

Koch-Chemie Orange Power is designed for exactly these situations. It's a fast-acting cleaner based on natural orange extracts, developed to dissolve difficult organic contamination on suitable solvent-resistant surfaces. From adhesive residue and tree resin to tar, oil, grease and even certain ink stains, it's considerably more versatile than a conventional tar remover.

What we particularly like about Orange Power is the balance between cleaning speed and working time. Although the cleaning action is quick, the formula evaporates relatively slowly. That gives it time to soften stubborn deposits before removal, reducing the need to repeatedly rub the affected area.

The fresh orange fragrance is another appealing characteristic. Many strong solvent cleaners have a fairly unpleasant smell, so Orange Power's distinctive citrus scent makes it nicer to work with. However, it's important not to confuse a pleasant fragrance with a mild product. This is still a powerful solvent-based cleaner requiring proper handling and ventilation.

It's also a useful alternative to conventional tar and glue removers when you're dealing with mixed contamination. For example, adhesive residue around removed badges, sticky remnants from old labels, rubber transfer marks and tree sap may all require slightly different cleaning approaches. Orange Power is designed to tackle these deposits with one product, provided the underlying material is compatible.

Koch-Chemie recommends applying Orange Power undiluted, either directly to the contamination or with a dry, absorbent cloth. Leave it to act for approximately one to three minutes, then carefully wipe away the loosened residue or remove it using suitable high-pressure cleaning equipment.

As with all solvent cleaners, compatibility is critical. Koch-Chemie specifies solvent-resistant paint, glass, ceramics and metal, and recommends checking colourfastness and material compatibility before use. We'd be particularly cautious around sensitive plastics, fresh paint, wraps and unusual finishes. For matt-painted vehicles, the specially formulated Koch-Chemie Eulex M is the more appropriate product to investigate.

Orange Power also contains no halogenated hydrocarbons, which is a useful distinction from certain older solvent-cleaning formulations. That doesn't make it harmless, but it does highlight the considered chemistry behind the product.

For us, Orange Power is a particularly worthwhile addition to a comprehensive detailing collection. It's not something you'll necessarily reach for every wash, but when you're confronted with adhesive, resin or sticky contamination that ordinary cleaners can't handle, having a dedicated solvent remover makes the job considerably easier.