TREE SAP

[Jay]

I parked my car under a tree and now I have a number of spots of what I believe is tree sap. The sap is clearish and very sticky, like bubble gum. AAAAnyone have a tip on removing it?
Also, my wifes VW "leaks" a black goo agound the side marker and at the bottom of the door. Dose anyone know what it is? Is it "undercoating or something like that?

Thany you, Jay

[Robby Ackerman]

Jay, There may be a better solution, but I keep a small one qt plastic container with gasoline and another one with diesel fuel and use them both for tree sap and road tar removal. They both clean up sap equally well. I apply the fuel to a cloth rag and gently rub off the sap/tar.

[Jay]

Thank you, Robby. I'll give that a try.

WHOA! Turtle wax and some others make specialized sap/tar/paint removers for paint that I have to think would be better for your paint than petrol or diesel. I had to use this stuff recently ("Bug, Sap and Tar Remover" I think it was called - yellow spray can) and it worked fabulously (let it soak on for a few minutes and guard against overspray. After removing the sap I washed the car well, though, as I imagine those chemicals completely remove all wax and if left on (like fuel), will remove clear-coat and paint post-haste.

Oh - about the black goo - I once had a Bronco that leaked tar-like black goo also from the light fixtures. Turns out it was an OEM spray-on insulation/anti-rust material that I assume got old/hot/tired and decided to melt. Dreadful stuff, but the abovementioned chemical will take care of it.

[This message has been edited by makakio (edited 08-11-2000).]

[This message has been edited by makakio (edited 08-11-2000).]

There is a product that I use that is absolutely great and will recommend to anyone. It in an aerosol can called "Tarminator". New sap, old sap, just spray this stuff on, wait about 10seconds or so and wipe. This stuff melts the tar without harming your car. I usually just rewax the spot where the sap used to be or just use the Final Inspection spray.

[Jay]

My wife found that rubbing alcohol will remove our tree sap as long as the car is in the sun. I tryed water, then gas , then diesel, then a commerical bug-tar remover but none of them worked. I did two of the cars this morning in about an hour. Thanks again for all the advice, Jay

[Lee Scheeler]

When washing with regular car wash fails a little elbow grease and #7 usually works. If it has solidified then try a clay bar.

Hope this helps...Lee

[slotjocko]

Lee...would you have any different advice for gum? My wife brot it back with several strands from front to back on one side. Been baked on for over a month trying to figure out what angle to take. I have also heard that rubbing alcohol would work from someone who worked in a bodyshop, but have been reluctant to try. All the elbow I had would only take off about 1 inch with a polish. Any suggestions?

Thanx,

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Scott

'91 300E 91k
Black Pearl/Gray
Eurolights/clear corners
AMG style wheels

'72 280 SEL 4.5 247k
Navy over Silver