Help! Gotta get this off!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Orlando FL
Help! Gotta get this off!
Last night I stayed at gf's new place. She has a large tree next to her driveway. I parked as far as I could away from it, but not far enough I guess. There is sap all over my car! Early this mornig it was dark and I didn't see it, but after work it had dried.
What is the best way to remove this stuff? Its obviously very sticky and I don't want to scrub too hard on my black paint. Help please!
What is the best way to remove this stuff? Its obviously very sticky and I don't want to scrub too hard on my black paint. Help please!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,722
Likes: 64
From: DFW Texas
CI 7-8 Veteran
CI 8 Car Show Winner
St. Jude Donor '07
tree sap
try this its from the detailing dude "I could remove the Tree Sap with Butter or Margarine. I went out and bought some Butter, let it sit on the sap for a bit and it was beginning to soften the sap. After 45 minutes it seemed to have done the trick." http://www.thedetailingbible.com/336846.html
hope it help he has a great web site
hope it help he has a great web site
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 11,339
Likes: 1
From: His name is Tandy Dillen. Altruism is the last Frontier.
Cruise-In V Veteran
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Killrwheels
wax will usually remove , wd40, alcohol, and even a polish as necessary.
So I wouldn't use WD40.
Sorry to hear about the mess, but, Claybar will get it, but buy enough to do the job. You'll probably need 4 or 5 of them as the sap will wear them out quick.
Good Luck!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,945
Likes: 12
From: Vancouver
2015 C5 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10
Originally Posted by BWP 5P
I'd try car soap and water 1st! 
Some saps come right off with soap and water. Use the mildest solution first then go more drastic. Try a small area first then when you know what works do the whole car. Let us know how it goes. And you should have clay bar you'll be amazed at what it'll take off without harming the paint. Good luck. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,396
Likes: 2
From: North Manchester Indiana
a good wash job will do it,,,,you wont need the clay bar,,,I worked at a gas station for years when younger and wash many tree sapped cars with soap and water.. aitn no big deal. wax the car after and it make the next time easier
Racer
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota, Fl.
Originally Posted by illmac77
try this its from the detailing dude "I could remove the Tree Sap with Butter or Margarine. I went out and bought some Butter, let it sit on the sap for a bit and it was beginning to soften the sap. After 45 minutes it seemed to have done the trick." http://www.thedetailingbible.com/336846.html
hope it help he has a great web site
hope it help he has a great web site
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,156
Likes: 2
From: Arlington VA
I agree with those that recommend washing the car first. Another recommendation that his worked for me is to use hot water with your car wash. This seems to have a melting effect on the sap and helps wash it away. I would try this before usign any chemical or clay bar process. The most difficult tree sap I have found to remove is Pine Tree sap. That stuff is like glue and water will not disolve it. Good luck. 