Getting tree sap off of paint?

[speeder]

Need a good product to get sap off, anyone? Thanks.

[matt711]

I have had luck with dishwasing soap, which of course removes any wax too. I follow that up with a cleaner wax or polish.

[JAR0023]

My go to has always been Ronsonol lighter fluid. Won't hurt the clearcoat but as Matt said it will take any wax with it. -J

[matt711]

Also Stoner Bug-be-gone, comes in a can. It will remove just about anything, including wax.

[scottmandue]

Goo Gone?

(Not Goo off, web search says goo off removes paint.)

I was going to try this on my car that has a small dab of asphalt on the side, but wife got a coupon for a detailing and they took care of it.

[John Rogers]

Over the years (many) I have used and or tried the following materials. I used WD-40 mainly on the race car to remove rubber streaks and tar spots and a Motol silicone spray on the rocker panels and fender areas before a race and things would not stick at all.

WD-40
hand sanitizer
denatured alcohol
mineral spirits
bacon grease or lard
finger nail polish remover

[matt711]

completely forgot about WD40, that stuff has many uses.

[speeder]

Thanks. I'll try WD-40, this sap is like super glue and I'm concerned with harming the paint. This is on a fairly new car.

[flatbutt]

I've used Pledge furniture polish with some success.

[Zeke]

Pitch and tar remover sold at the FLAPS for just this purpose. Careful as the process of removing the sap can leave a bunch of scratches due to dirt that has stuck to the sap. You can avoid as much as possible by doing small areas and using clean rags/towels as you go.

Yes, you will have to seal and wax the paint afterwards.

[72doug2,2S]

How did you get sap on the paint?

[911Freak]

Have you tried plain old warm water? When I was auto body painter our prep guys swore that warm water would breakdown and remove 90% of tree sap. If that doesn't work then as mentioned above tar & bug remover should get it done. However, the effectiveness can range widely per brand... Afterwards, follow up with couple coats of wax if in a visible area etc.

Ps. If this is on older single stage paint, be very careful you don't remove the color coat along with the sap... Seen it happen on older Volvo, Merc and Porsches...

[EMJ]

So Speeder's starting threads on sap removal? Weren't you complaining of the lack of interesting topics on the forum now just a few weeks ago? Now this?

[tchanson]

Before going chemical, why not just clay bar the car first?

It works great for me on tree sap.




Tim

[cairns]

I second Goo Gone. Cheap. Won't hurt your paint. Available anywhere. And it works on a lot of other stuff too.

[slimlynn1]

Try this.
Cleaners & Stain Removers

[Shifter]

Just a light touch with one of these should do it.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

How did you get sap on the paint?

This is the time of year. Pines are dropping the stuff. Later, the Jacarandas will make a hell of a mess all over the city. I think there are a lot of street trees where Denis lives.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Zeke

This is the time of year. Pines are dropping the stuff. Later, the Jacarandas will make a hell of a mess all over the city. I think there are a lot of street trees where Denis lives.

On my brothers block there are three HUGE (30-50 foot) pine trees.

They have a sign posted THESE TREES DROP SAP or something like that.

And oh yeah... the Jacaranda trees, very pretty but very messy... I learned the hard way not to park under one of those.

[speeder]

How did you get sap on the paint?

Parked under a pine tree. Is there another way?