Sap Removal

[Wayfaring Ranger]

Hey all, during a camping trip a few months back I was parked under some trees that had some sap drippage. Needless to say some sap got onto both my paint and window. It's not a lot, just some small drips and runs in a few places (roof, hood, passenger window.

What is the easiest way to go about removing it without damaging any paint? I know I could pay a professional, but a detailing appointment would run be $200-300 minimum so I was hoping to do it myself.

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[TractorFixer]

I've had decent success with isopropyl alcohol (diluted 50/50 with water) on a microfiber towel.

 

[joordan]

WD40 does miracles...

 

[joordan]

I've had decent success with isopropyl alcohol (diluted 50/50 with water) on a microfiber towel.

agreed, it works pretty well too

 

[Catalyst]

Another trick I used many times when detailing (and I'm in Oregon where trees are plentiful), was to use a small piece of PVC pipe (like 1" diameter and an inch or two long). If you use the flat circular edge, you can pop the hardened sap off easily without making any scratches, then wipe with solvent of choice on a microfiber rag.

 

[AugPal]

Have you tried a high pressure car wash? Manual one where you control the sprayer?

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

Have you tried a high pressure car wash? Manual one where you control the sprayer?

I washed the truck with my own pressure washer after the trip and it did remove some, but not all of it.

 

[pablo94sc]

Have you tried good old fashioned bug and tar remover?

 

[Wayfaring Ranger]

Have you tried good old fashioned bug and tar remover?

No but i thought of something similar after making the thread. Goo-gone makes an automotive solution and that may be a good option.

 

[Rda2w]

No but i thought of something similar after making the thread. Goo-gone makes an automotive solution and that may be a good option.

I've used Goo-Gone automotive to remove pine sap from paint and glass and it worked well. I got it while it was still soft though. Just make sure to remove it before it can etch the clear coat.

 

[RANGER/HOBB]

WD40 does miracles...

Second this it takes off all sorts of sticky crud including tar.

 

[joordan]

Second this it takes off all sorts of sticky crud including tar.

Precisely

 

[John E Davies]

This is great, very gentle on the paint, but it WILL remove wax. Paint shops use it for general pre-painting cleanup. It used to be marketed as "Bug and Tar Remover". I buy it in this size at a local auto body/ paint supply store for $15 per quart. Use with good ventilation, it has some strong-ish solvents, but it won't blow the top of your head off like MEK will.

You can chill the sap using ice, it will make it more likely to just pop off with ***gentle*** pressure from a plastic scraper like this:

FOSHIO Plastic Razor Blade Scraper Include 2PCS Scraper Tool and 100PCS Blades for Gasket Remover, Labels Decal and Adhesive Remover for Windows and Glass,


John Davies
Spokane WA USA

 

[BlancoRaptor]

I agree.....3M adhesive remover is highly effective and will not damage paint.
Use this product for many years!

 

[JAC]

I've had decent success with isopropyl alcohol (diluted 50/50 with water) on a microfiber towel.

A variation on this is to use gel hand sanitizer that is isopropyl alcohol based. Use the plain stuff without any perfumes or moisturizers added to it. Put a blob on the sap and let it sit for a while and the sap wipes right off. You can also put a piece of wax paper or paper towel over the sanitizer to keep it from drying out. Works great.

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