Can any one suggest on how to remove tree sap? My car just recently recieved 2 big splats of sap that looks to be the size of quarters

 

There is a product you can find at some auto stores called Sap-Sucker. Pretty strong stuff put a little on a soft rag and rub down the sap, and voila sap all gone, but so is your wax, so you might have to hit that spot off with a little wax to keep it protected.

 

Yikes !! 3M tar/adhesive remover works great, or try a citrus based cleaner.....Heres another short cut, if you have an orange or lemon at home, squeeze some on it....wipe with a microfiber towel.....

 

I'm heading for Big Sur this weekend so I'll probably be parking under pine trees and expect to get hit with tree sap. I just put a fresh coat of NXT on my TSX. Anything else I should prep with before the tree sap hits?

 

Carry a bottle of Quick Detailer spray and some good Microfiber cloths with you. Try to use QD first before resorting to bug and tar remover. IF the qd doesnt work to get the sap off effectively then use the bug and tar remover but remember to re-wax those areas as the bug and tar remover is very strong and will strip any wax as TSX CSI has stated. You might also want to get a small piece of claybar to carry around to remove sap and tar. A claybar and QD will be less harsh for the paint then those bug and tar removers. Although a claybar will pretty much strip the wax as well, it wont be as much as those harsh chemicals.

 

QD isnt going to do anything for sap.....Otherwise we'd have to wax after qd'ing. The only products i know that will remove stubborn sap are petroleum based or citrus based......Your going to need a coat of armor to avoid sapping.....If your just there for a few days, dont worry about the sap, clean up when you get home, but worry about falling pine cones....And the green ones, well, look ahead for a PDR man.....

 

Im sorry excel, I didnt make myself to clear (im not being sarcastic or aggressive), what i meant is for the Qd to use on "fresh" sap. Say you went into a restuarant and an hour later you come out and notice some light sap on the roof....Most of the time, depending on the temp, sap will still be kinda of soft. Soft enough for a QD and a MF towel to remove. I do agree QD will do nothing for hardened sap. As mentioned above, I would still use the clay bar method over the bug and tar remover. I feel it would be safer overall for the paint just incase you dont wipe up ALL of the tar remover which will be very bad for the clear coat letting it sit there.

sparkz, just carry a very larger portable canopy if you are worried about it! JK

 

Actually, clay bars are abrasive, where as petrol products arent. Watch them pine cones ! Seriously !
I'd carry some wd-40 with you for the sap, and some qd for quick clean up after removal.....Im worried your going to smear the sap around and pollute your mf, you really need to break down the sap.

 

Might want to give this thing a try. Its only like $3 and can be found in most auto parts stores.

 

I just removed some week old pine sap with 91% alcohol on a micro fiber cloth. Worked great! I will need to do some touch-ups in better light I'm sure but 99% is gone. Whew!

 

I've had good luck with the 3M, just be gentle with it, use a soft cloth, and don't rub too hard.

I hate sap. The worst thing you can do is let it set-up. Try to get it cleaned off before it gets hard, you'll have a much easier time of it.

 

what about removing bubble gum? don't ask how it got there. lol

 

Simple....use turpentine. It's made from trees and it's 100% safe for your paint.

Anthony

 

Nocturnal is on the right track. Isopropyl alchohol works on sap. Definitely follow up with a good polish and wax though. 3M tar and adhesive remover works as well...

 

just dealt with a fresh one, probably four hours old, wo benefit of this thread

blot with fresh water to remove abrasives

blot dry

blot with mineral spirits

gently wipe front to back

more fresh water fast

repeat

upp sealent is still there the key is get the spirits off fast

the sap never had a chance to penetrate the sealent. the chemical/friction cleaning did not remove the sealent. when i do it again use exceldetail lemon juice instead of mineral spirits

 

All I know is I tried about everything in the cabinet and about 2 plus hours on about 6 spots on my car several months ago. I parked under a pine tree while it was raining...not a good idea.

 

hopefully exceldetail or one of the pros will step in here

got hardend sap on the roof, maybe a year old

fixin on getting one of those plastic razor blades

when chistling it off does not work: will soak a little pad with mineral spirits (paint thinner) leave it on overnight, and attack again with the plastic blade

hopefully exceldetail or one of the pros will step in here b4 i do too much damage

 

Do not use a razor blade, plastic or otherwise.

I again state..use TURPENTINE. Soak a rag, let it dwell on the spot a bit then lightly agitate. When it's removed polish and wax.

Turpentine is made from tree resin and while you would not want to drink it or use it on your pancakes it won't harm your paint.

Anthony

 

Ive used even metal blades to scrape cement or other items off painted surfaces. I dont advise it (metal) but plastic is a safer alternative. But you would really rather use terpentine (as Anthony stated), WD-40, citrus cleaner, mineral spirits or Isoprpyl alcohol as others have mentioned it works. I have never used the alcohol trick before so I couldnt testify to its ability. If you go with a plastic blade, try to soften it up with a hair dryer also. If its rock hard, the hair dryer will only cook it farther, so use discretion.
Oh, dont leave any product sitting overnight..........EVER.........

 

If using alcohol I have heard that the GREEN rubbing alcohol works best on sap. How true that is I have no idea but others have stated such.