Board logo

Removing pine tree sap?
Fred W B - 26/1/08 at 09:07 AM

Younger stepdaughter left her car overnight under a big pine tree......

What will take sap off without damaging the paintwork?

Cheers

Fred W B

BenB - 26/1/08 at 09:09 AM

Google throws up

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf000301.tip.html

which suggests that nail polish remover works well.........

Fred W B - 26/1/08 at 09:14 AM

Great - have got her busy with the carb cleaner, was worried acetone might be too aggressive for the paint

Cheers

Fred W B

BenB - 26/1/08 at 09:16 AM

Just make sure carb cleaner doesn't get on plastic- it has a nasty tendency to melt it (as I found out when I cleaned some engine parts in a plastic tray!!!!!)...

Fred W B - 26/1/08 at 09:23 AM

Thanks, I did tell her not to get it on any plastic.

That said, you do seem to get plastic and plastic.


quote:

(as I found out when I cleaned some engine parts in a plastic tray!!!!!)...


I've done that too

Cheers

Fred W B

Peteff - 26/1/08 at 09:26 AM

Baby wipes, these get everything off of anything. My wife taught me this and despite the youngest grandkid being 6 we still keep a pack in her craft room for tidying stuff up.

K999NNY - 26/1/08 at 09:45 AM

I use turtle wax tar and bug remover (also claims to remove tree sap). Works brilliantly and even leaves a layer of polish on. I dont use anything else now.

Kriss - 26/1/08 at 11:14 AM

my tn top had a huge amount fo sap that was years old
reallybake don stuff that no bug/tar remover could budge.

ended up using a steamer for removing wallpaper, worked a treat but took ages. blasting each little bump of sap witha jet of steam broke it down and then polished out ofter

took about 4 evening work!!!!!!!!!!!

scotty g - 26/1/08 at 12:51 PM

quote:

Baby wipes, these get everything off of anything. My wife taught me this and despite the youngest grandkid being 6 we still keep a pack in her craft room for tidying stuff up.


Craft room?!!!!!!!!!!!
How bloody posh are you? Do you have staff to play with her in the craft room?

billynomates - 26/1/08 at 01:10 PM

Mum Spit

martin1973 - 26/1/08 at 01:37 PM

wd40 or light machine oil will shift most sticky things like glue etc.

Peteff - 26/1/08 at 01:53 PM

Craft room?!!!!!!!!!!!
How bloody posh are you? Do you have staff to play with her in the craft room?



Have a look It's nothing posh, just the first room as you come into the house where she builds stuff. She's into albums and scrapbooking at the moment so the dolls houses are not getting so much work.

speedyxjs - 26/1/08 at 04:04 PM

quote:
Originally posted by BenB
Just make sure carb cleaner doesn't get on plastic- it has a nasty tendency to melt it (as I found out when I cleaned some engine parts in a plastic tray!!!!!)...


Danozeman - 26/1/08 at 04:23 PM

quote:

just the first room as you come into the house where she builds stuff. She's into albums and scrapbooking at the moment so the dolls houses are not getting so much work.


My mums got a craft room too!! She makes greetings cards at the min.


I have used petrol in the past for removing tree sap. Paraffin works well too so im told. Just dont leave it on the paint for long and wash it afterwards.

bassett - 26/1/08 at 06:56 PM

Found meguiars clay bar kit excellent at leaving all paint work silky smooth as it gets rid of any oxidisation, tar etc.

DarrenW - 28/1/08 at 09:03 AM

Acetone loves ABS (you can make abs glue with acetone and some abs swarfe). I think its OK on polyethelene though (always try on hidden test area.......).

I would have thought panel wipe would be OK.

[Edited on 28/1/08 by DarrenW]

wax-it - 28/2/08 at 02:34 PM

Dont use anything harsh to remove tree sap.

The best thing is a clay bar, and depending how much is on depends on if you want a soft or medium grade clay bar.

I would use sonus Green with a 50/50 mix of megs LT as the lube.

If your cheaper than that, then Bilt-Hamber clay. One bar is good for at least 4 cars.

So simple to use and you will wonder why you havnt used it before.

Kaspa - 29/2/08 at 01:33 AM

try Eucaliptise oil, pick it up from the local chemist, will work brilliantly and wont harm paintwork, also good for removing dried chewing gum etc.
Kaspa

wax-it - 2/3/08 at 10:21 AM

Everything mentioned in this thread will remove wax. Everything mentioned other than the claying will damage paint.

The best thing to do is lightly clay the car (panel) then apply a cleaner (Dodo Lime Prime is fantastic) and then a decent wax.

This is probably the best way to remove tree sap and keep the paint in decent condition.

If your local to manchester I will show you what I mean if you want (on your car)