i have tree sap on my car, its a small area but its bugging the crap outta me, it wont come off! what do i use to take it off? will it hurt my paint if its on there too long?

im SURE this has been posted before but the damn search option isnt working

if anyone could help i'd greatly appreciate it

 

a freind of mine had this issue and he took a towel, soaked it in hot water and then let it sit on the car for a period of time. he said it pretty much dislodged it. he then it hit with a clay bar afterwords.

 

Use Rubbing Alcohol on a soft cloth and let it dwell a while on there. If its dried hard you might need to pick the top of it off. Don't start rubbing hard if its dried because it will scratch.

If left on too long it can etch into the clear coat.

 

dammit, well i guess im going to try the alcohol thing and then hit it with my clay bar an some wax. wish me luck! i just noticed it yesterday

 

If its fresh, alcohol, or WD-40 will work.

 

how about if its not? i noticed it yesterday but i think it might have been on there since saturday.

 

i don't know if anyone else has tried this... but the OrangeGlo stuff works really well. I tried it on a whim when nothing else was working... and it actually worked. didn't mess with the paint either, but i did spot clay and wax the area where the sap was just in case.

 

well i have not had any time to take it off and now its dried up and looks white! amd i in trouble now guys?!?!


what do i do now? i have time to take it off today since i dont have to go straight to school after work.

 

Each type of tree emits a difference type of resin (sap), at different times of the year.
Do you have any idea of what kind of tree sap is on your vehicle?
First, try "soaking" with a solution of a water based all purpose cleaner, properly diluted, on a cool surface, in the SHADE!
Let it soak for at least 5 to 10 minutes, keeping it wet with the solution, don't go playing "rubby dub" or you might created some serious scratching,etc, which then makes more work.
If, after it sets and you have wiped it off and washed off with plain water, they are still there, move to the next step.
Since most "grease/wax/tar" removers contain a fairly high percentage of xylene in them, do not recommend their use except when preparing a vehicle for sanding and repainting..

Honestly, the safest hydrocarbon remover you can use is naptha, used in many of the polishing and waxes used on vehicles, just under a different CAS#. Soak and let set, then wipe with a towel wetted with the naptha.
Where do you get naptha, simple, it is "lighter fluid" and will do nothing more than remove any wax or sealant on the clear.
Another, is plain old "rubbing alcohol", that's right, the stuff under most people's sinks.
It will not harm your finsh, just use it the same way, "LET IT SOAK", DON'T GO GETTING ALL IN A HURRY AND RUBBY DUBBING!
If none of these work, and I doubt at this time of year any pine type trees are emitting turpene this early, go to the clay.
You may get some scratching with clay, so be prepared to do some polishing after using it.
There are your "guide lines", as there are many types of trees, each with their own sap/resin emitted.

 

WOW, great info! thanks a lot, ill try it when im home!