Tree sap!!! How to remove it?!?!

I've had luck with IPA for some big chunks of sap. Sometimes it doesn't remove it all though.
 
It you have a steamer, try it. There was sap on the hood of a car I detailed yesterday and I used steam. One dropping of sap was newer than the other and the steam removed it right away. The other dropping was older and it took a little more time.
 
spent several hours trying to get just one of the spots to go away to no avail. what ever it is has dried solid and nothing will take it off. think I will take it to a couple body shops and get estimates on getting it removed/buffed out.
 
I just removed a bunch off of a roof with mothers clay bar kit. After you use it though you have to throw away the clay. So kind of expensive but very fast. Also there is a product at ace hardware called Holy Cow, it is a pink cleaning solution for general cleaning. It works great on glues and sap. Spray on and let soak for a while, repeat, repeat and remove.
 
After water failed I tried denatured alcohol. Came right of with zero evidence it was ever there. Followed up with wax. Perfect!
 
AG forum is haunted by the ghosts of posters past. You sir have awoken the dead!

You may be forgiven since it's your first post. Welcome to the forum.
 
My sap problem disappeared when my brother-in-law moved out. Actually I have used Tarminator, IPA and even WD-40. Tarminator works really well and it is formulated to be safe for clear coats.
 
Davy, I have been professionally involved in auto body and paint for over 35 years. When something must be removed from a painted surface you must use a suitable solvent. Some are water soluble,others are petroleum soluble. If water, maybe with a little soap, doesn’t work. I have found that denatured alcohol (not isopropyl) has removed almost anything a water will not. The upside is I have never seen denatured alcohol harm plastic or painted surfaces. The caveat is to test first. Good luck! jm
 
jmulne said:
Davy, I have been professionally involved in auto body and paint for over 35 years. When something must be removed from a painted surface you must use a suitable solvent. Some are water soluble,others are petroleum soluble. If water, maybe with a little soap, doesn’t work. I have found that denatured alcohol (not isopropyl) has removed almost anything a water will not. The upside is I have never seen denatured alcohol harm plastic or painted surfaces. The caveat is to test first. Good luck! jm
Click to expand...

Thanks Jm. I was always concerned about using denatured alcohol as it seemed to be too harsh. That is good to know. I do like using Tarminator since it has some lubricity to it as well as some solvent properties.
 
If you get a chance to try it please let me know the results. I hope you are pleasantly surprised. It removes glue very well. Take care, jm
 
I don't normally park under trees do to the sap. Last night there was a medical emergency at my house. I parked under a tree to give the ambulance better access. Thank goodness everything turned out okay with my friend. So scary! Turned out my ride got sap on it. I tried the wet towel recommendation and it worked like a charm. Thank you, Mike! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top