I have a situation that I would like to get some input on, specifically from the Pros, and in particular Exceldetail (Patrick). Because of where I have to park my car, this time of the year I get sap dripped on it from the Ponderosa Pine that sits next to the driveway. I relgiously try to keep the car as clean as possible, and at least a couple times a year I polish and seal it with 4* UPP. The sap droppings that usually end up on the car are anywhere from the size of a pea to the size of quarter. In order to remove the sap, hopefully before it hardens, I dampen a wiping towel with a small amount of Denatured Alcohol and carefully wipe up the droplet. The denatured alcohol cuts the sap fantastically, and the amount of wiping to remove the sap is minimal. What I do then is hand apply some Poorboys Cleaner polish to the area, to clean up any residues left behind and then reapply the 4* UPP.
My main question is this, what effect does denatured alcohol have on the 4*? Does it remove the sealant as easily as the sap? I don't take any chances and I do re-apply the sealant after a sap strike. Am I going overboard or should I be doing something more?

 

Denatured alcohol will remove a protion for sure, as for removing it completely, its real hard to say. Common sense should prevail here though. And whatever the Denatured Alcohol doesnt remove, the PB Polish will. At a minimum, use a Spray wax i.e. Duragloss AW, or FS UPPS (Best) for a quick recovery.
Then better case scenario, hack that friggin tree down!

 

Well that has been considered quite strongly.... and it may happen soon but until then I just want to make sure that when I have to remove the sap that I am still protecting the finish on the car. I think that what I am doing is the best way to do it for now.

 

Have the same problem. I got a car cover right away and no more problems.

 

But now you have it all over the cover! Tree sap sux!

 

I feel ya pain brotha. I much rather have that shi* on the cover than my car tho

 

UUUUUUGGGGHHH!! I work at a drug / alcohol rehab in the forest. I love my job, but it's a real hassle with the car. First off I need to go down the 1/2 mile dirt road entrance. Then, I need to be real careful where I park because there are a crapload of ferrel cats and they like to lay on the cars. The few spots I found that the cats don't go is apparently too close to a pine tree. Now I have millions of tiny sap spots covering the entire car. What is the BEST method of removal? Is it the denatured alcohol?? Also I guess whatever I use will also take off the wax so I will need to re-polish and wax, right??

 

if i had to drive down a dirt/gravel road or park by a tree where birds and tree sap are killing my car, i would get a different car, one that i didnt car about....it way to hard to have a nice car and park and drive in shity conditions....i guess i am lucky, i go from garage to garage....my car doesnt even sit out in the sun....

 

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.

 

Thanks a lot! I'll update you on how it works out...

 

hello,
can someone please recommend a good detail shop in the rockville, md area.
Thanks,
Umair

 

Stoner’s Tarminator (Tar, Tree sap, Bug debris, and etc) apply paint protection after use

 

I cant believe I left WD-40 out of this picture.......

 

Sap sucks. I took my car camping for a few days and came back completely covered in little clear spreckeles of that crap.

Clay seemed to do an okay job of removing the "sharper" bits of the stuff, but wasn't working so well on the "smoother" specks. I'm gonna try some WD-40 or rubbing alcohol and a microfiber towel to see if I can get the rest off.

Dont take your car camping if you're the kind of guy that hangs out in detailing forums...mine came back totally trashed.

 

Just got some sap on my car too tiny microscopic bumps, I was able to wipe it off with just McGuire's quick detail (only about 2-3 hours after parking under tree, so sap isn't hard yet) hope this helps

thanks

 

What removes the sap depends on the sap ... some is water soluable .. you were lucky .. some isn't and water or a QD won't do it ..

 

Hot soapy water has worked the best for me.