Safest way to remove tree sap from matte stripes and convertible top?

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91RS

New member
Jul 24, 2011
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I did some searching and it looks like everyone's favorite product for tree sap is Stoner's Tarminator. However, I want to make sure it is safe to use on my car before I buy it and use it. I don't know what type of tree(s) it was though, if that makes any difference. This is on my 2012 Corvette 100th anniversary package with the matte black (assuming vinyl) stripes and a black convertible top. The entire car is COVERED in tree sap (little dots). I've never had any of my cars get covered as bad and as fast as this and I don't want to ruin my car. The previous owner took such good care of the paint that it has no swirls or marring and I don't want to risk introducing any. Any advise would be great. Thanks.
 
First since this is your first post to the AGO forum....


Welcome to AutogeekOnline! :welcome:



As to the problem... I feel your pain.... I've NEVER been a fan of any type of vinyl graphics on any cars for problems like these and because they are just a pure pain to work around without messing them up.

Here's what I would try.... if you REALLY want to make sure this product is not going to affect your stripes then find a way to get some of the stripe material and do some testing with the Tarminator.


You could try getting a wash cloth wet with warm water and setting it on the tree sap and allowing the the cloth to hold the warm water against the tree sap and see if exposure to moisture over time will soften the tree sap enough to remove it. That would be the uber safest way to go.

:)
 
Alright, thanks. I'll go ahead and give the Tarminator a try and see what happens. Would you recommend something else for the convertible top?

If it were my tree, I would cut it down! It came from a tree at a hotel on my honeymoon, first time the car has been outside overnight since I've owned it and now it's filthy!
 
Hand sanitizer gell works great and will not harm the graphics,has enough alcohol to remove sap and the gell allows for dwell time.
 
You could try freezing it with some ice and then it should pretty much pop off by lightly scraping it with a finger nail and or a plastic razor, or something similar. Anything left would be able to be wiped off with Tarminator, TarX, or 3M citrus based cleaner or tar/adhesive remover without damaging the vinyl.
 
Tarminator and Body Solvent are "cold" based solvents as opposed to "hot" like gasoline.
Both of those should do the job of removing the sap.
After that you might need to spruce up the strips.
Simple trim dressing will do the job but you might need to polish those.
I've only polished Camaro strip and all it did was shine them and not remove any defect.
 
I'm almost certain the Camaro stripe is the same material as my Corvette. I bought a can of Tarminator but I probably won't be able to was the car until Saturday. Hopefully the time the sap has been sitting on there won't hurt anything. It's been sitting in the garage ever since Sunday so it hasn't been baked by the sun.
 
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