I park outside as we use the garage for other things so my vehicles get covered in pine tree sap. I've tried peeling it and washing it and a clay bar but I was wondering about the sprays like goo gone etc. Does anyone have a go-to method for removing sap? Its on the paint and the windshield.
Posts: 3108 | Location: Pnw | Registered: March 21, 2009
Denatured alcohol is correct. Even softens the glass hard spots. It removes your wax but will not harm paint or clear coat. Don't use any other alcohol but denatured. Dampen soft cotton cloth like old T shirt.
Posts: 17987 | Location: The Bluegrass State! | Registered: December 23, 2008
I had to park one of my 3 Honda Accords beneath several pines to be off street. Those drippy devils made a daily mess on my car. The denatured alcohol cleans it right off.
Posts: 17987 | Location: The Bluegrass State! | Registered: December 23, 2008
^^^^^^^ This. Isopropyl alcohol works great as well, just make sure you wash the car when you're done as it'll mess with the clear coat if you leave it on for any length of time.
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Posts: 20600 | Location: Montana | Registered: November 01, 2010
Not sure, but after you get it off put a ceramic coating on your car—-even a do-it-yourself product will protect your car from tree sap. I know from personal experience that it will pop off easily with a fingernail. I’ve had both professionally applied ceramic and a do-it-yourself product the biggest difference is the pro will do paint correction before application, and your vehicle will look as good as possible; it will also last much longer, like 3-5 years. Auto store products should probably be applied twice/year.
On the windshield, a razor blade scraper.
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Posts: 13594 | Location: Wyoming | Registered: January 10, 2008
Originally posted by Gustofer: ^^^^^^^ This. Isopropyl alcohol works great as well, just make sure you wash the car when you're done as it'll mess with the clear coat if you leave it on for any length of time.
It won't stay on the paint for ANY length of time, it flashes off immediately, and there is no residue to damage any kind of paint or clear coat.
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Posts: 8931 | Location: Nowhere the constitution is not honored | Registered: February 01, 2008
Originally posted by TMats: Not sure, but after you get it off put a ceramic coating on your car—-even a do-it-yourself product will protect your car from tree sap. I know from personal experience that it will pop off easily with a fingernail. I’ve had both professionally applied ceramic and a do-it-yourself product the biggest difference is the pro will do paint correction before application, and your vehicle will look as good as possible; it will also last much longer, like 3-5 years. Auto store products should probably be applied twice/year.
On the windshield, a razor blade scraper.
Good recommendation on the razor for the glass. The glass is very hard, and a brand new razor will not scratch it, but will pick up any and all tree sap and any other windshield boogers.
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Posts: 8931 | Location: Nowhere the constitution is not honored | Registered: February 01, 2008
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Posts: 17620 | Location: New Mexico | Registered: October 14, 2005
When Mrs Mike and I lived in NC, she had to park under a long leaf pine daily. I used WD40. Spray it, let it soak while I gather the wash bucket rag, brush, soap. The. Wipe it off with a paper towel, the. Wash the car. It softens the sap but doesn’t bother the paint.
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A caution on denatured alcohol: was using it to remove sap on my son's car that was recently in the shop for a fender replacement. Apparently the pin stripe was not clear coated over, and the alcohol wiped a section of it right off. Did not hurt the clear coated fender itself.
Posts: 1571 | Location: South Carolina | Registered: August 06, 2009
WD 40, sometimes isopropyl alcohol. Nowadays, I make sure we aren’t parked under trees.
I used to really enjoy detailing cars and correcting paint. Now it’s just hard work. I even went as far as to sell my buffer and all associated products at the garage sale last week.
quote:
Originally posted by sigmonkey: I'd fly to Turks and Caicos with live ammo falling out of my pockets before getting within spitting distance of NJ with a firearm.
I’ve spent the better part of 2 weeks trying to wash off the blood/coffee/whatever on the passenger side of my white car hood…that also happens to sit under a maple tree.
Tree sap. Not sure I ever would have guessed that.
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Posts: 12407 | Location: Belly of the Beast | Registered: January 02, 2009
Originally posted by HRK: Get a Car Cover let it drip on that, don't use razor blades you can scratch glass just as easy as paint, get the plastic scrapers
When I was a young guy, I turned wrenches for awhile. Back then, state inspections were required. I can’t tell you how many inspection stickers I scraped off with a razor blade scraper. I still use one today for things like assembly plant stickers on my own vehicles. Never scratched a window that I know of; can’t figure out how you did.
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Posts: 13594 | Location: Wyoming | Registered: January 10, 2008
