help! tree sap/pitch how to remove?

J

jonszr1

New member
I have a friends Miata that has tree sap allover the hood and trunk of the car . i have tried bug and tar remover also clat bared 2 times and there is sill some that hasn't come off . I am thinking I might have to color sand with 2500- 3000 to get the rest off anyone have any tricks that have worked . I amopen to anyones suggestions . thanx:think2 :secret
 
Maybe you can try some polish to get the tree sap off. You can also use mineral spirits or something, but I'm not sure. Someone else can help you out. Maybe try the search bar :)
 
Hmmm....clay-barring shoulda done the job. Did you polish straight after clay-barring ?



Try a fine abrasive polish to start with.....it might take a few applications and removals, but should be enough. If not, I'd ask around to see if there's anyone on here local to you with a Porter Cable :waxing: .
 
Just found this on another Autopia thread :



Removing Tree Sap

Removing tree sap from a car's finish is a bit more difficult than removing tar or bird droppings. Incorrectly removing hardened sap can scratch your paint. I've found that by hand rubbing the sap spots with mineral spirits, I'm able to easily remove the sap without damaging the finish. Mineral spirits acts as a solvent to break up and dissolve the sap.



If there is a large amount of sap on the car, or if the sap has been left on the finish for an extended period of time, it can be a lot of work to remove. For these cases, I discovered that going over the affected areas with a light-duty rubbing compound removes the hardened surface of the sap spots. Then I can hit the sap with the mineral spirits to remove it. The light-duty rubbing compound softens the sap so the mineral spirits can do its job. The goal is to use the least pressure possible, to reduce the risk of scratching the paint. After removing heavy sap, I always buff the treated areas with a good polish to clean up any marks created during hand rubbing with solvent. The treated area must also be re-waxed.



HTH :)
 
if it is all hardened tree sap, then get a plastic razor and scrap of the bulk of it, then hit it with some tarminator, and rub until its gone. I know that you will probably generate a few scratces, but if your going to polish the car afterwards it shouldn't be a big deal. If you use the plastic razor and the tarminator it should all come off quick and easy. I have NEVER had a problem with doing it this way.

Oh and be sure and remind your friend to stop parking his cars under those trees! If the tree sap is left for long enough it can etch the paint!
 
classic-motoring_1934_26881621




Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Sponge



Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Sponge







I tried everything to remove some tree sap that had been on my Dad's pickup--baked on for a year. Clay/Gasoline/WD40/Bacon Grease..... this is the only thing that worked, and did not leave a scratch.

Make sure you use lots of soap with it.. but it works !!!!!!!!
 
Try a sap remover. Rightlook.com sells some. You can also try detail plusor topoftheline.

It may be worth it to just buy some instead of tring a whole bunch of stuff. My neighbor uses gas. No thanks.

Silk ,I love that sponge. It works great. Joe:shocked :bat
 
If you want to save time, and your polishing afterwards, i'm telling you do it with the plastic razor and some tarminator, but if you not polishing, and your really worried about scratching the car than do it Silk's way with the scrub sponge, and some tarminator. I guess you could use soap, but tarminator will save you some time. Also, if you use the scrub sponge, don't expect it to just slide right off, its going to take some really scrubbing to get each spot off. Let us know what you end up doing, and how it goes!
 
In addition to the above products/techniques, full strength IPA will work. (70% or 90%)
 
Guys thanx so much for all the replies . this is a great forum. so many tyhat share freely. I will try some of your suggestons. I found out today that some of this sap has been on the car for over 3 yrs. I womser how pitted the finish will be. Am toying with color sanging with 2500 and finish with 3000 . might in yhe long run be the way to go. Adain thanx .
 
I trid IPA and no dice. some spots have been on it for 2 yrs UGH. this is some tuff stuff. I amgoing to color sand the whole hood. Guess I am going to end up with monkey arms:sosad :sadpace:
 
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