Well, I've recently started to nice patches of tree sap on my car. Not sure where they came from and I am pretty sure its tree sap. Originally I thought it was bug I hit on the road, but I found it weird places like the rear hatch window. I rubed it and smelled it. It had a piney smell..so had to be tree sap.

Anyways...I've searched and didn't find much info other than tar/bug removal. I looked online and I saw many indications for alchohol and denaturalized alcohol uses. The was also references for bug/tar/sap remover. I bought Stoners bug/tar/sap removal spray so I will test it out. I hope I get good results.

Do you guys have any extra suggestions or tips? I'll keep you guys posted on how it goes.

 

I use mineral spirits. It will strip your wax off though.

 

To save the shine try warm soap and water. Add a little Mr. Clean to the bucket.

 

try goo gone

 

Goo Gone FTW!! Stuff will make tree sap and/or tar come off like magic. You can find it at your local hardware or drug store. I used this stuff to debadge my car as well and it takes off the adhesive there like nothing. Great stuff, it also has a lot of "home" uses as well.

 

CLAYBAR

 

^ clay bar doesnt work once the sap has been on there for a week. My sister found out the hard way. I usually go w/ water +soap -> claybar -> rubbing alcohol -> mineral spirit --> goo gone. In that order. You want to go w/ least abrasive, to most abrasive and let it come off that way.

 

most quick detailers will remove sap(well if it hasn't been sitting too long)...safe and easy on the paint too

 

I use Goo Gone to soften it and then follow up with Claybar. The claybar really does the trick but if the sap gets too hard you have to use something to soften it up first. The Goo Gone did not work 100% by itself for me.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys. I was able to get it off but with none of the methods posted above.

So I bought Stoner's tar/bug/sap remover spray. Directions state spray into a cloth and then rub over the affected area. This didn't do JACK! Mind you, the sap is hard at this point. I even tried spraying directly to let it soak in, but I didn't trust it.

Well, I read online somewhere someone had tried Rain-X! When I read it I was skeptical, but I saw lots of references to using alcohol. I know Rain-X is pretty much alcohol, so why the hell not. I put a few drops into a terry towel, and just rubed at surface. WOW..the hardened sap literally melted off. I did this very carefully since I didn't want to damage any of the paint/clearcoat. I was able to do this effectively for the car. Once done, I waxed my entire car since I had washed it yesterday.

Anyways....RAIN-X for hardend tree sap is one easy method. Just be careful and use very sparingly.

 

If your car is nicely waxed or sealed to begin with, the tree sap won't stick to it that well in the first place just something to think about...

 

Hmm.. didnt know it was the tree sap hardened that much. Maybe try WD40 next time.