acr2001

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?

Carsy

Try a little kerosene or other petro chemical. . Put it on & let it sit for a minute or two. Polish when complete.

Mixedfruits

maybe bug and tar remover? idk

chad88

Try a heavy cutting compound, will remove anything and everything, however be careful as this will also remove the clear coat.

Carsy

http://answers.google.com/answers/th...id/739730.html

acr2001

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.

mir_m

Get a da buffer will get rid of it no prob

LandSeaAir

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.

White C Class

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.

Stevedotmil

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.

Matt_Eurojerks

acr2001

I'll give this a try. Thanks!

togaclk55

Tree sap is a b***h

Peabody

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

Invain15

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.

kevink2

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).


.

Stevedotmil

You can get a box of generic fabric sheets for $1 versus way more than that for anything else. Just saying.

Eickecc

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.

Glyn M Ruck

Benzene.

Scat01

We have a winner - this exact product is the answer to your problem..works with ease.

acr2001

Sounds a little too toxic to me!

Going to try the fabric softner sheets. Then the Turtlewax product...

mikonuj

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

Glyn M Ruck

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.

kendricksoares

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

keg350

I use Stoner tar remover. Works great!