Tree Sap removal: need help

[Islandvic]

A mesquite tree dumped a ton of sap on my grey Silverado. I had it parked at a friend's house for a few days, picked it up, and the sap had baked on it.

What is a good method of removing it. There is a least a few ounces of it gooped up.

Heat it with a blow drier? It is freaking hard as a rock.

Thanks

 

[AcuraTech]

Heating it with a blow dryer is just going to smear it around. If it is hard pick off what you can, then try some 3M Adhesive Remover or some Bug and Tar Remover.

 

[obbop]

I parked under the pine tree overnight, forgetting about how the sap drips down.

Next afternoon I ambles out the shanty door, saw I had left the Silverado under that dern pine tree, and yelped. Angered at myself I got the truck outta' there and peeked at the paint.

Grrrrrr...... a multitude of small sap droplets on the roof and hood.

Pondering as to what to use to get the sticky stuff off I decided to try my liquid NuFinish since it had cut through tar/asphalt quickly in the past.

Slathered it on, a thick coat, left it for 5 minutes, then hosed it off while lightly wiping with a rag.

By golly, pert near all of the sap off.

Repeated the process. Kinda' like the shampoo directions: wash, rinse, repeat. Never understood that. If the shampoo was any good wouldn't one wash rinse suffice? I betcha' the shampoo firms just want you to use twice as much of their glop so you buy twice as much!!!!!

Revolt, consumers!!!!!! Wash and rinse your curly locks only once!!!!!!!

Back to the sappy stuff.

After the second use of NuFinish I closely inspected the surfaces affected by the sap. A flood of relief engulfed me akin to a tsunami hitting the low-laying coast where the slumbering village sits exposed to the torrent.

Hurrah!!!!!!!! No evidence of sap nor any damage to the finish. I did have two coats of NuFinish on the truck before the sap dripped down upon the truck. I think that sealant helped to prevent damage. I think. Can't say for sure. But, the NuFinish did cut through the sap and I know it wouldn't hurt the finish.

I aplied the NuFinish to the sap while in the shade. Thought that would be best. Can't say so for sure, though.

I don't know if mesquite sap would be more difficult to remove than pine sap.And, my sap was not on the finish for as long a period as yours.

Good luck!!!!!!!!!

 

[Dave H]

I'm not familiar with mesquite sap, but a lot of sap can be removed with a basic washing. For the stubborn spots, straight car wash soap placed on it and let to sit for a few minutes helps break it up. This is also very safe for the paint in comparison to solvents. But, some spots will be too much for car wash concentrate, so solvents become necessary. WD-40 is a gentle cleaner/solvent, and may loosen it if allowed a few minutes dwell time (it is excellent for tar, too). 3M's Adhesive and Wax Remover is good stuff. But it is strong, and will strip everything off your paint (wax, sealants, polishing oils, etc; but is safe for cured automotive paint). There are also a multitude of products on the shelf for bug, tar, and sap removal. But I think most employ a type of solvent similar to the 3M stuff, and the 3M stuff is extremely versatile for other household cleaning chores. If you use any type of solvent, I'd advise you to use a wax or sealant over the area when done.
Other people have had good luck with Goo Gone. I haven't tried it for sap, but it is reportedly easier on the paint than a full blown solvent such as 3M's Wax and Adhesive Remover. It may be worth a try, and would have other uses around the house. Personally, I try to buy products with more than one use, as my detailing collection has grown quite large with specialty items.

Another option would be to freeze it, then "chip" off the pieces gently. Similar to removing bubble gum or candle wax from surfaces like fabrics. Works well, and may help with big blobs of sap (I couldn't tell from your post if you have several big blobs, or more of a fine misting). To freeze it, a can of compressed air (dusting air for computers) sprayed upside down on the spot will freeze it pretty much instantly. Anyways, it could be worth a try. Just be gentle when picking the sap off the surface so as not to mar the paint.

Hope this helps.

Dave

 

[charbaby]

I agree with most of what I've read thus far. Personaly I prefer plain hot water and I mean really HOT! I like to turn up the temp on the hot water heater for about 30 minutes. Fill a bucket with hot water and throw in several sponges to soak. Use thick rubber gloves to protect you hands from being scalded. The hot water along with some of the products mentioned above should do the trick

 

[penzdude]

i always heard the best stuff for removing pine sap was....pine sap. i read somewheres, that a dab of pine-sol cleaner dabbed on and then allowed to penetrate the sap for a few minutes did wonders. of course wash well and re-wax the area when done. penz

 

[badnews]

WD-40

 

[ShortBuSX]

Ive used acetone on several occassions to remove stubborn sap...just dont do it on plastics.

 

[johnd]

Tree sap always washes off with soap and water for me. I had a friend who drove on a freshly oiled dirt road in a new pickup and thought he'd ruined it. I showed him the trick with a bucket of soapy watercontaining a pint of kerosene and he couldn't believe how easy it came off. Don't do this where it runs in the storm sewer.

 

[kanling]

I had some bad tree sap two weeks ago, I tried some of the techniques in this thread.

WD-40 did nothing. Hot water worked slowly, but not well.

50% diluted rubbing alcohol worked really well. Made me nervous though. I rinsed with a lot of water immediately. No adverse effects noted.

It may depend on the kind of tree leaving the sap.