Tree sap all over my car

geekman

geekman

geekman

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Joined
28 Sep 2012
Posts
3,937
Location
Monterrey, Mexico
Just gave my car a quick wash at the jet wash place, and I've noticed it's absolutely covered in beads of tree sap. It's a relatively clear, sticky liquid (:eek:) and seems almost impossible to get off. It's also left massive streaks on my windscreen where the wipers have come into contact with it, and on the side windows where I've put the windows down.

The girl washing her car next to me suggested nail polish remover, but that sounds like it's going to damage my paint. I had a quick look in the supermarket on the way back and there doesn't seem to be any products available which specialise in removing this stuff.

So has anyone encountered this problem before and what did you use to get rid of it?
 
I had this all over my car last week after parking on a "lovely" tree lined street whilst staying at a friend's.

I just washed it with a sponge warm water and car shampoo and it all came off.
 
Well the biggest supermarket in my area didn't have any tar/bug remover, and certainly didn't have any clay bars. Sadly people's idea of washing a car over here is putting it through the automatic car wash at the petrol station - there aren't even any eastern european hand car washes.

I might see if I can get some car shampoo tomorrow and have a proper go at it, but it'll take ages and will mean carrying a bucket of water down 4 floors :(
 
if its relatively recent, just shampoo with some nice hot water to break it down and should come straight off.

if not its tar remover or claying the car
 
geekman said:
Not possible unfortunately, as the spaces in my car park are placed between rows of pine trees.
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Outdoor car cover? My uncle always parked his car in the garage as he had pines over hanging his driveway in France and during the summer they'd sweat sap out like fat people do gravy. The only downside to a car cover is how hot it would get depending on the time of year and possibly the attention it would attract as in "there must be something shiny and expensive under there" and you end up with your window caved in again.
 
bug and tar remover from halfords then clay the car. claying alone might be difficult if it has been there for a long time
 
OhEsEcks said:
Outdoor car cover? My uncle always parked his car in the garage as he had pines over hanging his driveway in France and during the summer they'd sweat sap out like fat people do gravy. The only downside to a car cover is how hot it would get depending on the time of year and possibly the attention it would attract as in "there must be something shiny and expensive under there" and you end up with your window caved in again.
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That's a good idea actually - if I can find a car cover I may well do that. There's a guy with an RCZ in my block who uses a cover and I don't think he's had any issues. It's a very quiet area as well, so I wouldn't have thought there'd be much risk of a break in.

MooMoo444 said:
I try to avoid parking under trees as a whole. If it's not sap it's bird **** from the little fellas in there.
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Not possible unfortunately. The bird **** doesn't bother me too much because I can just blast it off at the jet wash place every few days. The sap isn't quite so easy to remove unfortunately.
 
I get this often dependent on where I park. As the car is well sealed I just use a washmitt, shampoo and warm water to sort it. A jet wash alone will just not touch it. Unfortunately it needs some contact to remove.

Also I'd advise not getting a car cover if its left outside. You'd be surprised at the damage they can do to paint, especially with wind causing it to rub - and I'm sure you want to avoid any further damage!
 
geekman said:
The girl washing her car next to me suggested nail polish remover
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Acetone will remove any wax you have on and you would have to be careful to make sure it is washed off (not so much with newer cars, but can leave a white patch). Not sure how effective it would be with tree sap though.

I'd just use some warm water and a sponge for it. :)
 
Nail varnish remover works a treat at getting it off. However, it strips everything else too. I only use it around now (Before winter) as it then gets it 1/2 a year polish and wax at the same time. It's the only thing I have found to be very effective at getting the stuff off.
 
I get this on a weekly basis and find very warm water and normal car shampoo does the trick with a bit of elbow grease and a sponge.
 
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As has been said, Bug and Tar remover then a clay bar then some good wax or sealant will help next time it happens
 
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