I have some really bad tree sap spot stuck all over my car and cannot get them off even after using my pressure washer. I've seen around that you can use hand sanitizer, bug and tar removal, etc. but what's the best method that you guys have used to get it off?

 

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-...p-from-car.htm

http://wd40.com/automotive/

 

You can use WD-40 to get off tree sap and bugs?? I had no idea, I would be worried about harming the paint?!

 

Out of the other recommendations, I would think that WD-40 would be the least harsh.

 

Plastic razor blades. They don't scratch your car at all.

 

I use a dewalt buffer with clear cut compound with a number 3 pad.

 

Rubbing alcohol... It removes all types of resin. Use it you will be amazed...

Or u can clay bar it... But. The rain does remove it over time.. At least it does for my car and it shits sap all over the driveway for a month each year

 

+1 on rubbing alcohol. i use it for tree sap all the time. just wash that spot immediately after and you'll be fine

 

And rewax.. IPA will remove the wax too.


If the sap is hardened.. Put a cloth saturated with IPA , folded so its just a little bigger than the spot , let it dwell 30 sec or so , lift it and scratch the top with your fingernail to break the surface then rub the cloth on it gently. IPA has no lubricating properties so marring is easy if you rub hard.

 

Thanks for your input guys, hand sanitizer worked nicely but I couldn't get that yellow color that's left over off my 3M, is there anyway to get rid of that?

 

Maybe u did not read what I said...


CLAY BAR

 

Hand sanitizer is full of alcohol.. As for the stains .. Some saps will do that if left a while . You may be able to polish them out with Maguiars Ultimate Compound , you may have to have a pro detailer look at it and machine polish it.

Worst case .. Your screwed. Cars clear coat is porous and the stain can go quite deep.

Never let sap linger ...

 

I had a buddy spray enamel paint on his car when spraying his rims..

2 mins with the clay bar removed 2 year old enamel paint stuck to his clear.. Tree sap has nothing on the clay bar.

I leave the sap on my car now cause it's just a pain in the ass to remove I let the elements remove it. But there is a reddish sap that looks like rust almost and it seeps into the clear, but once again,the clay bar deals with it every single time.

I find it hard to believe tree sap would penetrate and stay in the clear coat. Clay bar guys....common, where have u been lol

And don't feel bad for not knowing, my buddy told me about this one day years back and literally blew my mind with e results. Like how did I not know about this?

Even detail shops don't do it when u pay 50$ why cause it works amazingly and takes forever. Ur car will be smoother than a baby's ass once ur done, and water literally runs away from the car. I shit u not.

U have all just been enlightened. Hahah now go clay bar. Get some cold beers tho, u will definitely want them.

I use meguires clay bar with the spay solution which is a lubricant.... U can get away with dish soap tho if ur super cheap lol

 

Thanks! gonna try that out.

Thanks, and I did read your other post, I just decided to go with hand sanitizer rather than nail polish, etc. from one of the links.

 

I'm surprised by some of the suggestions on here. I always use 3M compound by hand or unless you know how to use a professional buffer. Clay bar your car is another great solution. I wouldn't use wd40 or rubbing alcohol on any of my cars. That's just my opinion.

 

Clay bar does wonders for cars. Can lift stuff like sap, light oxidation and light bits of paint rub you might have from other objects, or other stuff that will soak into the clear a little. Heck it made my 02 civics fenders and hood look dang near good after they were oxidizing and stained a little from super clean being sprayed on them by the previous owner.

Clay bared my 08 tls when I I got it and I it makes the car smooth as a baby's behind and like mentioned you can poor water on it and in seconds looks like it was never there. Great investment.

 

There is a lot of sap types and tars that clay wont touch Rubbing alcohol is 100% safe on clear .. detailers that know what they are talking about use it all the time. As far as compounding to remove sap .. think about it .. your not only removing the sap but also some of the clear coat around the the sap .. you also risk rubbing hard sap particles into the paint.

The proper way is to dissolve the sap and "if" you have to use a polish to remove the stain.


As far as this goes " But there is a reddish sap that looks like rust almost and it seeps into the clear, but once again,the clay bar deals with it every time" This may be a totally different thing especially if it more prominent on the vertical surfaces ... Look up " Rail Dust?

 

If you guys are having trouble with tree sap, you guys can give this product a try. I've used it for years and it works every time without damaging my paint.
Hope this helps!

http://psdetailproducts.com/i-175403...p-remover.html

 

Not much different than what we are suggesting .. MSDS says 30 - 40% Ethyl Alcohol.

70 % IPA can be bought at Walmart etc.

 

$50 for a "detail" and you expect for them to clay it? I find it hard to believe that any "PROFESSIONAL" detailing shop is charging $50. You're probably paying for a wash & wax and not a full detail (wash, clay, compound and/or polish, sealant and/or wax)

Clay bar is essential for preparing the surface for paint correction.

$50 sounds more like a simple wash & wax (all-in-one shampoo) and maybe vacuum & wiping down the interior trim, seats and dashboard.

Some detailers offer clay bar as a "a la carte" and charge in the neighborhood of $50-100 alone.

To say that you should expect the car to get clayed when paying $50 for a "detail" is absurd...

 

I clay every car I detail , after wash , prior to polishing..

 

Oh, sorry I never read the label on the product. I just took the name for granted. Please excuse me for the novice post.

 

Lol ... not a problem