Tree Sap - Please restore my sanity! How to remove?!
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
Tree Sap - Please restore my sanity! How to remove?!
So, my brand new WHITE 2012 is starting to look like someone took a pepper shaker to it. Specks of tree sap everywhere. I've done the best I could to cut back the evil tree 
After washing I have so far tried:
- Clay bar - FAIL
- Klasse AIO - FAIL
- Isopropyl Alcohol - FAIL
- Cleaner Wax - FAIL
- 3M Rubbing Compound (poor paint!!) - FAIL
- Goo Gone - FAIL
The only way to get this crap off is to stand there and slowly scratch it off with a fingernail. Everything else takes forever. Clay bar takes about 20 passes per SPECK.
Can anyone offer some advice to save my sanity before I take a sharp rock to my brand new paint job?
After washing I have so far tried:
- Clay bar - FAIL
- Klasse AIO - FAIL
- Isopropyl Alcohol - FAIL
- Cleaner Wax - FAIL
- 3M Rubbing Compound (poor paint!!) - FAIL
- Goo Gone - FAIL
The only way to get this crap off is to stand there and slowly scratch it off with a fingernail. Everything else takes forever. Clay bar takes about 20 passes per SPECK.
Can anyone offer some advice to save my sanity before I take a sharp rock to my brand new paint job?
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: 1 hours drive north of Sydney Australia
2007 W204 220CDI Classic Sedan
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,078
Likes: 4
From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
Thanks for the help guys. I read the linked Google Answers page. Problem is I've tried most of these things. I'm a little weary about trying acetone, kerosine, or paint thinner though! No one has a product that they swear by for this?
I can get the sap off the paint - no question. The problem is it's going to take hours with the current options.
I can get the sap off the paint - no question. The problem is it's going to take hours with the current options.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 816
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2008 W204
Its either denatured alcohol or acetone I don't remember which but my family and I go upstate a lot where sap is a big problem and the neighbors showed us and it worked great. The problem is I remember these two because one actually works and one screwed up the paint, I wish I could tell you which one but I really don't remember, so I guess until I remember this post is useless
I know the feeling, there was a lot of road work in my area over the summer and I literally had tons of little tar specs all over my car, the hood, drivers side, mirrors, trunk lid it was making me crazy, luckily for me they have bug and tar remover and it all came off. There is a possibility if you just go to Auto Zone or a place like it they will have something for sap.
I know the feeling, there was a lot of road work in my area over the summer and I literally had tons of little tar specs all over my car, the hood, drivers side, mirrors, trunk lid it was making me crazy, luckily for me they have bug and tar remover and it all came off. There is a possibility if you just go to Auto Zone or a place like it they will have something for sap.
Last edited by LandSeaAir; Nov 27, 2011 at 08:33 PM.
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Newbie
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 13
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From: Dunwoody Ga.(Atlanta)
2012 C250
Lighter fluid! Works for Georgia pine sap. Also adhesive remover. You can find it in the body shop supply area at Pep Boys. However lighter fluid is cheaper and you can get it anywhere.
Super Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 555
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From: Columbia, SC
W204 2010 C300 Sport/6M
GooGone and fabric softener sheets. I have used this for years. I use the sheets to get all the bugs off the front of the car during the love bug seasons. It takes road tar off as well. Black road tar on a huge white suburban is pretty noticeable. They won't scratch your paint either. Good luck. Let the googone soak for a bit. Make sure you wash the portions of the car that you do this to. I usually go over the whole car and then wash the whole thing. Remember to dunk the sheets in either your soapy water bucket or get them wet with the googone.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,078
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From: NYC
2012 C300 4Matic
GooGone and fabric softener sheets. I have used this for years. I use the sheets to get all the bugs off the front of the car during the love bug seasons. It takes road tar off as well. Black road tar on a huge white suburban is pretty noticeable. They won't scratch your paint either. Good luck. Let the googone soak for a bit. Make sure you wash the portions of the car that you do this to. I usually go over the whole car and then wash the whole thing. Remember to dunk the sheets in either your soapy water bucket or get them wet with the googone.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 964
Likes: 2
\
I use it for love bugs not tree sap, but it's designed for both and works amazingly well.
http://www.autogeek.net/pinsafscrub.html
http://www.autogeek.net/pinsafscrub.html
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: Gaithersburg, MD
4matic C300
GooGone and fabric softener sheets. I have used this for years. I use the sheets to get all the bugs off the front of the car during the love bug seasons. It takes road tar off as well. Black road tar on a huge white suburban is pretty noticeable. They won't scratch your paint either. Good luck. Let the googone soak for a bit. Make sure you wash the portions of the car that you do this to. I usually go over the whole car and then wash the whole thing. Remember to dunk the sheets in either your soapy water bucket or get them wet with the googone.
This should definitely work. Make sure you remember to wash the car afterwards. I got lazy and didnt end up doing it and let me tell you, it was a B**TCH to get off the car. Didn't mess up the paint or anything it just makes your shoulder sore as hell.
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Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 1,331
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From: Delaware
2004 Mazda6, 1993 RX7
No fast fix I know of.
The concept is to have plenty of those ~1' x 1' sq white towels sold in the cleaning stuff section of a common auto-parts store. Use a liquid product to loosen up a small area (a product used by someone in this thread.) Then remove the loosened sap with the soft cloths (or Steve's fabric sheets). Toss cloth when no clean spots are left.
BUG & TAR generally works for me, or perhaps butter (used to get sap off hands with this as a kid).
.
The concept is to have plenty of those ~1' x 1' sq white towels sold in the cleaning stuff section of a common auto-parts store. Use a liquid product to loosen up a small area (a product used by someone in this thread.) Then remove the loosened sap with the soft cloths (or Steve's fabric sheets). Toss cloth when no clean spots are left.
BUG & TAR generally works for me, or perhaps butter (used to get sap off hands with this as a kid).
.
Last edited by kevink2; Nov 29, 2011 at 09:54 AM.
Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 84
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From: Austin, Texas
C350/'08 w204
I use claybar....provides a great finish. $20 at Advance Auto will get you the Maguiar's kit with: clay(x2), microfiber towel, Quick Detailer spray, and spray wax. This completely transformed the black finish on my ride. Took a few hours to do the whole car, though.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 68
Likes: 3
From: Los Angeles, CA
2014 C63 AMG Edition 507
My street is lined with Pine Trees
My entire street is lined with huge pine trees and my house is no exception. I've had tree sap fall on my car multiple times and each time, i used lacquer thinner to get it off. Be really careful tho. Soak a cloth with adequate thinner, and gently swipe the sap with light passes. The sap should come right off. Be sure not to do it too much or too aggressively.
**dont need to worry now, since my car is vinyl wrapped
lol
**dont need to worry now, since my car is vinyl wrapped
lol
Super Moderator
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: Llandudno, Cape Town, South Africa
late 2009 CLK 350 Coupe Elegance, '65 Jaguar S Type wires
Yes - It needs to be used with care but is more aromatic than almost anything generally available & won't do any paint damage. Try it if you get stuck. Use in a well ventilated area.
Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 191
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From: boynton beach florida
mercedes benz c300
we have a local meet nd our spot is actually in a park under a bunch of trees, weve realized the best sap remover is baby oil, takes sap right off nd deosnt harm paint on car
