[OldGoat38]

As a auto detailer of 23 years. Try this, go down to the local Drug store. Purchase some Rubbing Alcohol (try and get the highest % around 90 if possible) useing a clean cloth soak it in the Alcohol. Useing light circular motions rub the spot where the sap is. As it shrinks in size. Change the dirty part of the cloth to a clean part. The sap will have contaminants in it. If you rub it too hard it will scratch the clear coat. It may take about 45 seconds to remove one spot.

Try that

I once used alcohol in a small spot on my '91 Volvo. Ate away the clear coat - left a permanent dull spot.

 

[FXTRunner1]

You should park under more sap trees and get an even coat all over the car. This will protect the paint for a long time. :icon_eek:

 

[OldGoat38]

You should park under more sap trees and get an even coat all over the car. This will protect the paint for a long time. :icon_eek:

And 10 million years from now, archeologists will dig up this BIG lump of amber and wonder what kind of creature this is that got trapped in the sap.

 

[EPhatcher]

I detailed for 10 years. We would always use a combo of adhessive remover such as 3m general adhesive remover and a heat gun. Heat up the sap then give it a wipe with a soft cloth with the solvent on it. should come right off. the link is a little over priced, but it had a good picture of the can. you can get it cheaper on amazon.
Great deal on 3M Automotive - 8984 at ToolTopia.com

 

[califf22]

Also, try to use different types of waxes. They will soften the sap and make it slick to wipe up.

 

[Kean]

Also, try to use different types of waxes. They will soften the sap and make it slick to wipe up.

....frankly, "waxes" and even AIO's are not likely to do anything to remove hardened tree sap. Solvents, decon products, abrasion, heat, forceful manipulation (i.e. scraping, picking, claying), etc. are probably all that will work at this point (if at all).

 

[subieophelia]

TOOTHPASTE! Seriously. White, non-gel toothpaste removed a bunch of spots of sap on my car as well as a black door ding. I did that this past weekend and it worked wonders. I've heard that Goo Gone can remove paint from a car which is why I stayed away.

 

[tpgdb9]

From the perspective of a stringed-instrument player who uses tree sap (rosin) on the bow hair, I can tell you that rubbing alcohol works wonders. It's how we get excess rosin off the strings.

 

[carologist]

Try Olive Oil it wont hurt paint and if you cook you have some already.

 

[Snow drifter]

Try turpentine. It is a sap-derived solvent.

Like dissolves like

 

[daviddeep]

We used vinegar at the detail shop I used to work at. Diluted vinegar also works great for cleaning really nasty windows (smokers, etc.) You'll be using a lot of elbow grease, but it will loosen up.

I've also had success using white vinegar to remove a big blob of sap. Not on my Forester though; it was on a car I owned previously.

I never thought of trying a heat gun to soften it first. That would probably allow you to gently pry off the bulk of the sap with a fingernail so there would be less soaking involved in getting off the remainder.

 

[Ians111]

TFR

Here in the UK valeting companies can get their hands on a product called tfr Traffic Film Remover not sure if its available in the US simply spray it on from a spray bottle allow to sit for 10 minutes and power wash away, it gets rid of moss also and does not harm plastics

 

[tonyford]

This is what I tried so far and still can't remove the hardened tree sap from my hood:

Alcohol (soaked in paper towel left on stain for 5 or so minutes)

White distilled vinegar (hood now smells like an Italian Salad)

Plain boiling water

Commercial Bug and Tar remover

Meguiars Polishing Compound

Turtle Wax Rubbing Compound

Dawn Dishwasher detergent

Now this is getting scary:

Gasoline (just a small amount right on the stain and wiped off quickly)

Mineral Spirits

Brake Cleaner (nasty stuff)

Charcoal Lighter Fluid

None of the above would budge the tree sap.

Only thing I haven't tried yet is WD-40. They say you have to let it soak for awhile. Tear off a piece of paper towel spray it with the WD-40 and put on the tree sap stain. Let soak for about 5 minutes or more.

Maybe claybar?

Maybe bring to body shop and have hood repainted?

Getting desperate, any help appreciated.

Note: Not from pine tree. Have no idea what kind of tree it is, the **** that did come off was dark brown in color.

 

[tonyford]

Just tried WD-40. Stain still there.

Then went with nail polish remover, still there.

It seemed my first try with rubbing alcohol seemed to work a bit better than even these harsher solvents.

Gonna try the rubbing alcohol again and let it sit for about 10 minutes and see what happens.

If this don't remove the stains gonna have to bring to an autobody shop and have them buff them out, if they can.

We got some really strong tree sap up here in Jersey.:icon_cry:

 

[Alex.F]

Removing Tree Sap from Just About Anything | ThriftyFun

Buff the affected area with lard or bacon grease and wipe clean with a soft cloth diaper or terrycloth towel. Wash and polish/wax and usual.
Make a paste out of baking soda and water and cover the affected area. Wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth.
Applying mayonnaise to the area is also said to remove tree sap.
Another technique is to use citrus-based solvents and children's molding clay. Apply a small amount of the solvent and rub with the clay. It is abrasive enough to scrub off the sap (which has been broken down by the solvent) without damaging the paint.
Another
http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2012/11/how-to-getting-rid-of-tree-sap-on-your-car-.html

"...he also suggested the automotive versions of Goof Off or Goo Gone..."

 

[tonyford]

Removing Tree Sap from Just About Anything | ThriftyFun

Buff the affected area with lard or bacon grease and wipe clean with a soft cloth diaper or terrycloth towel. Wash and polish/wax and usual.
Make a paste out of baking soda and water and cover the affected area. Wipe clean with a soft, damp cloth.
Applying mayonnaise to the area is also said to remove tree sap.
Another technique is to use citrus-based solvents and children's molding clay. Apply a small amount of the solvent and rub with the clay. It is abrasive enough to scrub off the sap (which has been broken down by the solvent) without damaging the paint.
Another
How to: Get Rid of Tree Sap on Your Car - KickingTires

"...he also suggested the automotive versions of Goof Off or Goo Gone..."

Thanks for the links and tips.

Now that my hood smells like an Italian salad from using distilled vinegar. Tomorrow gonna try the southern kitchen smell using bacon grease and mayonnaise.

Seriously, I will look over those links and see what I can come up with. It seems like the sap is imbedded in the paint.

May have to live with it or like I said bring it a body shop and have them buff it out hopefully.

The vehicle is leased and don't want to bring back with those tree sap stains.

 

[Alex.F]

Thanks for the links and tips.

Now that my hood smells like an Italian salad from using distilled vinegar. Tomorrow gonna try the southern kitchen smell using bacon grease and mayonnaise.

That is really funny.
Good luck, please report the results.

 

[tonyford]

Good luck, please report the results.

Brought to my local body shop. The tree sap or whatever it is, is embedded in the paint, but still above the clear coat somewhat. Whatever kind of tree this came from had a high concentration of an acid and it etched itself right thru the paint.

He used some 2000 or 3000 grit sandpaper, wet of course, and it did remove a lot of the stain, then remove what the sandpaper did with some polishing compound. I am leery of 2000 grit and trying to find some 3000 grit, don't want to damage the hood more than it is. If 3000 don't work then will try some 2500 grit.

By the way to repaint the hood it would cost $500!!!

He told me since the vehicle is leased just bring it back dirty and they will never notice the tree sap stains.

That sounds great, right? But I don' want to ride around with these stains on my hood until the lease terminates.

There is no chemical that will remove the type of stains on my hood. :icon_cry:

 

[Alex.F]

Now, this is not funny at all. Sometimes disaster strikes out of the blue, so to speak.
Bummer. Just how bad is it? Pictures?

 

[tonyford]

Now, this is not funny at all. Sometimes disaster strikes out of the blue, so to speak.
Bummer. Just how bad is it? Pictures?

I tried taking some photos of it, but the glare makes it impossible. Maybe on a real cloudy day I can get some photos.

The stains are on the front part of the hood only. Every chemical I tried and used properly will not remove the tree sap or whatever it is.

The body shop guy told me no chemical will remove them because the acid from the sap has been etched into the paint. The only way to remove it is to lightly sand the stains away which will also remove some of the paint, but only a very thin layer of it. He doesn't think the clear coat has been affected. Saying that, if I am going to try and get these stains out I have a super fine grit paper 2500 or 3000 grit.

I also know someone who details vehicles as a side job and hobby. I am going to give him a call and maybe have him try and get them out first before I do anything.