tree sap

[Ryan_V]

Truck sat under a pine tree fire a while and got a bunch of sap on it. What us the best way to remove it?

[Powerstroke]

I've tried lots of things, but the only things that works every time is Goof Off. Its very potent so you need to be careful what you use it on.

I have pine tres lining my drive so I deal with pine sap on my truck and camper every year. I squirt this stuff on a cloth and rub the sap off without a problem. It works great on glass and paint. Plastic trim can be tricky. Use sparingly as it can "melt" or break down the plastic. I test a spot first. It will also remove other seals such as the silicone on a edges of the camper. I would just say use it sparingly on new surfaces until you know what it will do.

Vehicle paint and glass it will take it off in a couple seconds. Its the only thing I've found that works. Got it at Home Depot and MEnards.

[Farley]

look up the clay bar process for detailing cars. Windex works good as a lubricant, just spray some on and rub the clay over the sap and it should come right off. Leaves the paint looking brand new.

[BartmanMN]

I 2nd the mothers Clay Bar. Best thing since sliced bread.

[Macgyver55]

WD-40 works well and believe it or not, hand sanitizer works great!

[Jeremy airjer W]

Clay bar is the greatest thing since car wax!

[JOHNBIGDOG]

91 non oxy works well too

[Jeremy airjer W]

Sea Foam Deep creep will also work.

[Ryan_V]

Thanks for the replies so far... Is the clay bar something I can get at wal Mart? Or is it more of a specialty product?

[Farley]

yeah I think they have it there, its a kit with some spray on detailer stuff and a little box of clay, but you could just use any clay and some windex. Or any parts store will have it. Mead the clay first to get it nice and plyable, the windex acts as a lubricant so the clay doesnt stick to the paint and clump off. Probably would not do it in direct sunlight or if paint is too hot as a precaution.

Its the first step in detailing a car before appying the wax products. Rub your finger over your hood and feel all the contaminents, then claybar it and it feels like it just rolled off the assembly line.

[Ryan_V]

I tried the clay bar and it did not take any of the sap off. In fact it made it worse. I had a little more sap from camping a couple weeks ago. I'm disappointed! I did the entire truck, and then polished it, and like what it did on the rest of the truck, but didn't do anything with the tree sap!

[BartmanMN]

Really? You kneaded the clay and then used the spray with it? I've never had a problem with taking anything off and it comes out like new.

Is it a Mother's Clay bar?

[delcecchi]

I tried the clay bar and it did not take any of the sap off. In fact it made it worse. I had a little more sap from camping a couple weeks ago. I'm disappointed! I did the entire truck, and then polished it, and like what it did on the rest of the truck, but didn't do anything with the tree sap!

I would try a little mineral spirits (paint thinner) on a paper towel. Or steal some of your SO's none acetone nail polish remover. Or the tar remover stuff from the auto parts store.

[Powerstroke]

I use Goof Off. Its a strong solvent and will take the sap right off. It is not the same as Goo Gone.

I have red and white pines over my driveway and I deal with this every summer. I've read and tried every different home remedy and youtube suggestion I can find. The only ting that takes it off is Goof Off.

Be careful with it as it will harm some plastics. I only use it on the paint and glass of my vehicle. When it comes to plastic and door/window seals, I use one of the other methods and do the best I can.

[Ufatz]

Not sure I would advise using acetone on a car paint.

[eyeguy 54]

I used goo gone and it worked good.

[Ryan_V]

Really? You kneaded the clay and then used the spray with it? I've never had a problem with taking anything off and it comes out like new.

Is it a Mother's Clay bar?

Yes, I have the mother's clay bar kit, yes, kneaded it and used the detailing spray that came with it. All it did was smudge. How much pressure do you use? I tried everything, wouldn't take it off

[BartmanMN]

It takes a bit of elbow grease to get tough things off. not as simple as just lightly rubbing it. I suppose if the sap has baked on in the Sun for a long time it could be challenging. I rub with it as hard as needed to get the debris off the hood.

[Ryan_V]

Tried rubbing hard. If I rubbed too hard, the clay just got hooked on the sap. I'll have to try again. I imagine you are right, had a coyly warn sunny days after the sap fell, could be baked on pretty good.

[Powerstroke]

LOL, I didn't realize I posted the same answer twice with almost the same wording.

For the "I can't believe a clay bar didn't work" crowd, not all sap is created the same. I've gone through all the same methods with friends who are detailers. I've done car shows in the past and every time I mention tree sap, most guys are thinking its small splashes of sap similar to tar or paint spatter. My tree sap is large drips that make huge mounds that stay soft weeks after hitting. When its hot they spread out over an inch area.

I just spent a half hour cleaning the sap off my truck using the Goof Off, and I had to scrub very hard. All that sap came from the two hot days days around labor day. It sucks, but its the fastest way and for me its the only ting that works.

I'll keep my clay bar for what its supposed to do, remove FINE contaminants from the paint surface.

[trollingforeyes]

Try some isopropanol alcohol