tree sap
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,837
Likes: 4
First off, getting it warm may help wipe most of it off. Unless it's on glass, in which case getting it cold an scraping it off works best.
As for the remainder, I've found that the gel alcohol hand cleaner you can find in drugstores, etc. works well. It usually comes in a pump container; pump a blob onto the sap, let it sit about 1 minute, then wipe. More than one application may be required if it's a thick blob of sap.
The gel helps keep the stuff on the sap where it's needed, plain alcohol just runs off.
Note that this will remove most waxes, etc. and will leave a small amount of oily residue (the lanolin or whatever they put in to make it less drying) so you probably want to follow up with washing or some quick detailer then a touch of wax.
Disclaimer: this works for me, but some folks may consider it to be an extreme treatment. Perhaps someone else has a more gentle method. Personally, I have found that sap can be very damaging and anything that gets it off is a good deal.
As for the remainder, I've found that the gel alcohol hand cleaner you can find in drugstores, etc. works well. It usually comes in a pump container; pump a blob onto the sap, let it sit about 1 minute, then wipe. More than one application may be required if it's a thick blob of sap.
The gel helps keep the stuff on the sap where it's needed, plain alcohol just runs off.
Note that this will remove most waxes, etc. and will leave a small amount of oily residue (the lanolin or whatever they put in to make it less drying) so you probably want to follow up with washing or some quick detailer then a touch of wax.
Disclaimer: this works for me, but some folks may consider it to be an extreme treatment. Perhaps someone else has a more gentle method. Personally, I have found that sap can be very damaging and anything that gets it off is a good deal.
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 27,818
Likes: 8
From: CT
I agree with Carl. Water has usually taken it off in a lot of cases. Tarminator also does the trick.
What has been the most successful for me believe it or not has been good old Turtle Wax bug and tar remover available at supermarkets etc. Works like a charm.
What has been the most successful for me believe it or not has been good old Turtle Wax bug and tar remover available at supermarkets etc. Works like a charm.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 14,104
Likes: 244
From: South Florida
Originally Posted by papas97
What is something good to use for removing tree sap.
And forum fav http://www.autogeek.net/tarminator.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,202
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by papas97
What is something good to use for removing tree sap.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,596
Likes: 2
From: Atlanta GA
My brother had some globs of tree sap on his truck. I tried claybar first and no luck. Then I broke out the fusion. Took maybe a min and kept on flipping the soft towel and more fusion, but sure enough it worked fine. I was doing some serious rubbing and no scratches left at all in the clearcoat.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski