tree sap

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bat_man

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I have tree sap on my truck but don't know what to use to remove it.your response is appreciated.
 
Is the sap old and dry? Or relatively new and soft?

A few things to try-

First wash the truck then mist the area with quick detailer to provide some lubrication.

Soak a terry cloth towel in hot water (fold it a few times so it's thick and retains heat), place it over the affected area and leave until it cools a bit (not until it's cold). Pour more hot water on the towel to reheat. Repeat as necessary to soften the sap, especially for old dry sap.

Apply Isopropyl alcohol, mineral spirits, 3M general purpose adhesive remover, Megs all purpose cleaner or another paint-safe cleaner product and lightly wipe with a terry cloth towel to clean up the softened sap. Use a terry cloth towel because to has more "bite" than Microfiber, turn to a clean section of the towel often.

Use auto detailing clay and clay lube to try to remove the sap.

I think I remember people have used peanut butter, dab it on the sap and let it sit while the oils get to work... Might want to get a confirmation on this one.

Machine polish to correct any marring caused by the process(s).

Wash and wax often.
 
Stoners Tarminator and Poorboys BugSquash work for me ...
 
alcohol has always worked for me, the stronger the better. if it's in big globs you could always use a razor blade (carefully) and take the majority of the top off. best of luck and keep it out from under those trees.:nomore:
 
My method is REALLY old skool.

My grandfather (born in 1875) started using turpentine on an old rag back in the 1900s

And I tried it when I first started messing with cars around 1962.

I would fold a small rag into a small area, soak it with turpentine and lay it on the blob of sap. Within 15 minutes the sap would be totally liquified. Then just flip the rag over and gently blot at the surface to remove any residue. My reason for prefering turpentine is that it disolves the sap with no wiping really required. I'm always afraid to wipe on a cars finish with something on it that could be trapping a particle that could scratch the paint.

Now that easily scratched clear coat finishes are the norm I use a very soft, but disposable micro fiber piece of towel to do the final wipe.

Then I just wash the car as I would normally do. And if I had planned on just a wash I will use whatever surface protectant (sealer or wax) that had been on the sap spot before. Since the turpentine will remove any wax.

I have never had the turpentine affect any paint finish that I have used it on. But you should always try any new chemical on an out of the way place on your car.
 
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