Tree sap

**tbritt** · 09-27-2008, 07:34 PM

It's that time of year and worst this year than I've seen, I got a couple of open carports but the stuff still gets on the truck, whats the best to cut that stuff without hurting the cearcoat...SKYBOI where are you? You have never steered me wrong...help

**helomech** · 09-27-2008, 07:56 PM

My dad is the most anal person I know when it comes to his cars, and he swears that cheap hairspray works better than anything. He is in a big car club, and that is what they all use. He won't put anything on his truck that might hurt the paint.

Skyboi · 09-28-2008, 02:11 PM

Well first off...I thank you for the compliment...My whole purpose on this thread is to cut through the BS and help guys that may not have the experience that I have had detailing 5 cars a day for 10 years. And also get the facts straight regarding "home remedies" that can cause more damage than good.

Here's the deal with sap.
If you clean your vehicle and after it's clean, you feel little beads that you can't see very well, It's probably sap. Usually the best way to see them is with a bright trouble light.

How to remove it.
This is tricky cause you need to be careful or you'll have a mess on your hands.
Methods include:
1. Mineral spirits - Caution
2. Solvents - Again caution
3. Bug,tar,sap remover - Doesn't always work
4. Clay bar - Also doesn't always work
5. Buffer with a wool pad - works most of the time but must be followed with a foam pad to minimize swirl.
6. Razor blade - Only to be used on big globs to remove the bulk of it.

I've used every one of these methods on almost every car with this problem and it always seems that each situation has a different remedy.

You have to try diffferent methods and see which one works for you.

Use caution when using mineral spirits on clearcoat....test it around the underside of a wheel well to see if mars the clear.

My best advice is to use hot water to soften the sap and try a clay bar because you might get lucky and have it take it first try.

If that doesn't work, go to hot water and a bug/tar remover with a bug sponge.

If you still get nothing, try the solvents, especially citrus based solvents. They're usually pretty paint safe.

Remember to only try the removal on a small spot on the vehicle...Don't coat the whole truck with something till you find out what works with the least damage.

Good luck and let me know how you made out.

bagellord · 09-28-2008, 02:51 PM

What is the best way to remove it from windshields? I have to park right under a tree that loves to only drip sap on my Titan, and most of it ends up on windshield right near the wipers. When it happens, I have to sit there forever with windex and rainx window cleaner and a rag and scrub it away since it tears up my Rainx Latitudes pretty badly if I don't get it off (not what she said

). On a side note, rainx latitude wiper blades are the best I have ever used. I can see much better with them over other wiper blades, and no, it is not the "try these, theyre better!" advertising that has me thinking that.

**tbritt** · 09-28-2008, 03:50 PM

"THANKS" to all for the inputs,but I'm still not sure what the "hairspray" does..We have at the Dollor Stores here in Okla. a citrus based cleaner "like Mean Green" but only Orange..?? Didn't work with spray on and wipe off but when I let it set a couple of minutes it seem to to the job...long task but so far no fade or clouding of the clearcoat, the hot water thing may work better but I don't have a hotwater type pressure washer. The car washers around here are at best Luke Warm?? OK THERE GOES THE WEEK-END..

**P's Titan** · 09-28-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tbritt

"THANKS" to all for the inputs,but I'm still not sure what the "hairspray" does..We have at the Dollor Stores here in Okla. a citrus based cleaner "like Mean Green" but only Orange..?? Didn't work with spray on and wipe off but when I let it set a couple of minutes it seem to to the job...long task but so far no fade or clouding of the clearcoat, the hot water thing may work better but I don't have a hotwater type pressure washer. The car washers around here are at best Luke Warm?? OK THERE GOES THE WEEK-END..

You dont have to use a hot water sprayer just some hot water. Like he said it should loosen the sap and make it easier to remove.

Skyboi · 09-29-2008, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bagellord

What is the best way to remove it from windshields? I have to park right under a tree that loves to only drip sap on my Titan, and most of it ends up on windshield right near the wipers. When it happens, I have to sit there forever with windex and rainx window cleaner and a rag and scrub it away since it tears up my Rainx Latitudes pretty badly if I don't get it off (not what she said

). On a side note, rainx latitude wiper blades are the best I have ever used. I can see much better with them over other wiper blades, and no, it is not the "try these, theyre better!" advertising that has me thinking that.

Applying Rain-X is great because it doesn't help the sap bond to the glass.

Best way I've used is either a razor blade on an angle and just skim it over the glass. Or...Some super fine aluminum wool(like steel wool cept it doean't rust)....Like 4 aught or 0000.

Now, you don't want to be doing this ALL the time but for that once or twice a year cleaning you should be ok.

SFCIngrum · 09-29-2008, 06:08 AM

Skyboi, What about GooGone?

I used it and it removed tar like nothing. Would it work on sap?

Skyboi · 09-29-2008, 09:06 PM

To honest....I've never tried it on automotive paint. I know it's a serious adhesive remover which means it is a solvent/cutting agent. But, I don't know the extent of it's solving power on clearcoat which means I wouldn't try it unless I had a rental car to detail. (That's where all the "real" experiments happen).

I know I wouldn't attempt it unless I saw someone else try it first.(Or I had a rental)

By the way..... I just noticed I got my 1st thanks in 463 posts..... Thanks tbritt....It's like a birthday present

SFCIngrum · 09-30-2008, 04:23 AM

I used it for debadging, and it was on 99% of the debadging how-to threads. Oh well, too late now to change anything.

Skyboi · 09-30-2008, 05:48 AM

Cool...Yeah, if others use it regularly with no problems, then I say go for it.

Usually if something causes a problem, a mamber will put a thread out saying "don't use this".

In regards to tar....I can get tar off with spit, or just about any light solvent. But sap is a real bear if it's cooked on.

I don't know which I hate worse....SAP, Cosmoline or Road Paint.

By the way SFCIngrum....Thanks for your service to our country.