HELP!!! Car covered in tree sap or something!!!

96C220 · #1 03-09-2003, 11:53 PM

Okay, car spent the weekend at my fiancee's house. Didnt notice anything till I got back home and saw the offensive spots.

It looks like a cross between lacquer and tree sap....It is perfectly clear and glossy. Some of the spots were dry and hard, others (the thicker ones) were still semi pliable, and somewhat raised. you could make a fingerprint impression on them.... They had the consistency and tackyness of about a two part epoxy freshly mixed. Some of them look dry and almost "baked on"

I tried bug and tar remover, just cause it was the first thing I could think of, but to no avail.

I cant do much with the car tonight - its 29 degrees and almost midnight. - Any ideas about how I should approach this problem. I want to get this crap off my paint, but dont want to unecessarily hurt the finish.

All help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

George - e-mail = george@parts4sale.com

cerbomark · #2 03-10-2003, 12:09 AM

First wash it good and if you had a good coat of wax it may come off. If not use a mild polish and then wax after stains are removed. It s happened to me numerous times. It will come off.

jbaj007 · #3 03-10-2003, 12:27 AM

Your description is EXACTLY like the tree sap from some of the palm trees around my office. I used tar remover and my fingernail (very tedious), then clay. I can't imagine, though, ANY tree having sap flow at 29 degrees!

benzfan · #4 03-10-2003, 11:11 AM

Mothers (and probably a couple of other brands) makes a clay block that looks like Plasticine and comes with a lubricant. Use this on your paint. The job will take an afternoon, but will take any impurities off that are stuck to, or embedded slightly into the paint. I had fuzz from my waxing cloth torn off by minute droplets of pine gum on my finish 2 years ago. The clay block worked like magic, and I keep a new one handy now, just in case.

96C220 · #5 03-10-2003, 11:23 AM

Havent really had a chance to clean the car. Drove it to work - God it looks atrocious.

Anyway - it was about 50 degrees during the afternoon, and sunny - so I think the tree sap may be a viable possiblity.

Dont have any palm trees around these parts. Its bitterly cold again today, and probably almost dark by the time I get home, so it will have to wait another day, or two.

Is there any harm to having this stuff just sit on the paint for a few days until I get the chance to clean it up?

Thanks in advance,

George - e-mail = george@parts4sale.com

Zeus · #6 03-10-2003, 12:25 PM

I'd try and remove it immediately. The longer it sits on the paint, the more damage it can potentially do to the finish, depending on what it is. Some tree saps, oils, etc. can be quite acidic.

I would try and soak the spots in water for a while to soften them and then try some removers. I've had good luck with NON-GRIT mechanic's hand cleaning gels. Not great for your paint though. If you use it to remove the sap, rinse with plenty of soap and water immediately after.

Good luck!

rdanz · #7 03-10-2003, 02:07 PM

Kerosene should remove it easy. Just make sure to wash good after.

Flash Gordon · #8 03-10-2003, 05:11 PM

The easiest and most effective way to remove the sap is to use a paint-safe solvent. I have use it and sap comes off very easily. Go to Home Depot and make sure it is paint-save

Other methods suggested earlier are very time consuming and repeated scrubbing may harm your paint

miktvk · #9 03-11-2003, 08:59 AM

I have found that when all else fails, and they sure do--plain ol rubbing alcohol and some cotton balls will remove any hardcore tree sap, just wipe in swirling motion, not too fast, requires a little patience.

It dries quickly, and, if there is a a white film left over, don't panic, jsut wipe with a clean cotton cloth with more alcohol.

Must be done on cool surface, away from direct sunlight.

Works every time.

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