what do you use to remove tree sap

Bullitt AK

Bullitt AK

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it seems like when using clay it just rubs the sap around a bit and doesnt get it off...maybe if i used a mid or aggressive instead of light clay it would have been different but the car doesnt need to be polished as it sits and i dont want any marring from an aggressive bar...any other suggestions/products? also what can i do for other cars paint scuffs on mine?
 
I've used Super Degreaser (formerly Castrol Super Degreaser) in the purple bottle from Wal-Mart. When used full strength, the sap comes right off. This has also worked just as easily on baked on sap.

Castrol_Super_Degreaser.jpg


Meguiar's D-Line glass cleaner used full strength works great, too. I've never used a clay bar to remove sap.

Colin
 
that stuff is safe for paint? just making sure because im going to try it on some tar and other gunk too

ive heard of using wd-40, acetone, and even invisible glass but i am hesitant to use these on paint..
 
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Place a hot, wet towel on it for a couple minutes then carefully wipe off as much as you can. Then use your choice of paint safe cleaner and/or clay for the remaining residue.

If the "paint scuffs" are just paint transfer from another car, with no damage to your car/paint, you can polish it off with a med-light polish or swirl remover. You may have to follow up with a finishing polish to get marring free results.
 
Optimum Power Clean - Excellent product for removing grease, bugs, dirt, tar, and it's paint safe even if used un-diluted. :dblthumb2: I love this stuff. Or, you can give Stoners Tarminator a try.
 
This is what I use: Stoner Tarminator removes bug residue, tar, tree sap, gum and more from automotive surfaces! bug & tar remover, auto spot cleaner, car bug & tar It's paint safe and I just used it a few weeks ago on a customer's (aunt's) car. She'd park it under a tree and after a few months it accumaletd alot of sap, most of it was baked on. I tried using an agressive clay, but it was taking a long time so I pulled out the tarminator and did a number on the entire car. I let it dwell for a few minutes and washed the car like I normally do and bingo! The majority of the sap was gone. It's good stuff, I recommend. :xyxthumbs:
 
alcohol will work. we use methanol at work but regula ipa will work also, the stronger the better.
 
The best product to use is citus cleaner or your buff off chemical...spray it on and leave it on for a good 1-2 min to break down..... wipe it with a towel and bam...you are done....do this before washing the vehicle..
 
I have used ONR as a QD on dried tree sap spray it on wait a few minutes and wipe it off. If it is a stubborn stop you may have to reapply.
 
Rubbing alcohol works great!! I should know, as I have been battling the pine trees in our yard this year. Seems to be a bad season here in MA. Use a soft microfiber and make sure to have the car rinsed off. I made the mistake of not doing that. You can then wash the car and you should be good to go. Clay doesn't really work at all. I tried it.

Don
 
Most have suggested it already but heating the area up with a hairdryer of how towel softens the sap so it can be carefully removed. Any residual or remaining sap can be dissolved using IPA or regular paint thinner.
 
BobbyG said:
Most have suggested it already but heating the area up with a hairdryer of how towel softens the sap so it can be carefully removed. Any residual or remaining sap can be dissolved using IPA or regular paint thinner.
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what % should i use that is safe?
 
Been using IPA to remove sap for a very long time now. Tarminator also works well.


Never understood why people would trash a clay bar to remove sap or tar....clay is expensive!
 
DonMTV said:
Rubbing alcohol works great!! I should know, as I have been battling the pine trees in our yard this year. Seems to be a bad season here in MA. Use a soft microfiber and make sure to have the car rinsed off. I made the mistake of not doing that. You can then wash the car and you should be good to go. Clay doesn't really work at all. I tried it.

Don
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I 2nd the rubbing alcohol! My house is surrounded by pines and I deal with sap every time I wash my truck. And the majority of my clients have sap as well.
 
Bullitt AK said:
what % should i use that is safe?
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For this exercise use it straight out of the bottle. We use alcohol as a mild cleaner to remove wax and contaminates and generally reduce it 1:1so slow its evaporation rate. Since you're using it to clean as I said, use it straight, it will not harm the paint.
 
BobbyG said:
For this exercise use it straight out of the bottle. We use alcohol as a mild cleaner to remove wax and contaminates and generally reduce it 1:1so slow its evaporation rate. Since you're using it to clean as I said, use it straight, it will not harm the paint.
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ur talking about using 91%?
 
Yes, in fact, go to Wal-mart and buy a few 32oz. bottles and put a sprayer in it. I spray it on the drop of pine tar, and then spray it on the microfiber and rub over it until it dissolves completely. Works very well. I would then wash the area. Lately I spray P21 TAW over it and then let that sit, then finish with a wash.

Don

My 2003 Cobra loves when I get rid of the pine tar spots. LOL.
 
the only reason i dont want to use ipa is because the car has alot of sap and i dont want to leave it all over while removing the rest of the sap before i wash the car?
 
Tackle one section at a time. One spot at a time. I rinsed my car found the pine tar spots, worked each spot in a section, wipe the area with another towel to get more residue off. Once you got the tar off each part of the car you can wash it, and the car soap should take care of anything that is left over. Do you have photos?
 
A4 1.8tqm said:
If the "paint scuffs" are just paint transfer from another car, with no damage to your car/paint, you can polish it off with a med-light polish or swirl remover. You may have to follow up with a finishing polish to get marring free results.
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ok and on another car im working on there are scuffs but also some scrapes where it has gone through to the base/primer...would using a 7424 with a light polish remove the paint around the scratch without further damaging the scratch?
 
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