What do you use to remove tree sap from auto paint?

[Jacobson]

What do you use to remove tree sap from auto paint?
Does WD40 work?

 

[Jsf721]

You can try bug and tar remover or detailing clay

 

[njride]

Isopropyl alchohol, just try it, trust me. Have a clean wet rag and come right behind the alchohol with it.
Soak the alchohol rag with alchohol, it will take very little rubbing to dissolve the sap and wont harm your paint, do test it in a doorjamb first though, like you would anything.

 

[bry@n]

I've used goo gone. Hasn't happened more than once though.

 

[zkling]

I'd suggest you use KY jelly, but I use 91% rubbing alcohol or a clay bar.

 

[mmack66]

I'd suggest you use KY jelly.

Okay, but what about getting the tree sap off his car?

 

[mrjaw14]

Alcohol is what I have to use. I park under pines and the sap is terrible.

 

[bodyguy16]

Acetone and a glaze. Try a small spot first!

 

[383 240z]

Fresh or cured paint?

 

[markharleypainter]

Im an auto painter. ..cold soapy water.

 

[Train]

I've been using methyl hydrate for years with no ill effects on paint.

 

[valentine]

Alcohol works great. My son uses those alcohol prep pads that come in the foil packets. They're cheap and you can keep some in your glove box. Single use, then throw it away.

-Valentine

 

[jobo1004]

Im an auto painter. ..cold soapy water.

Don't forget this.

 

[pendragon1998]

80 grit sandpaper, but you probably have better paint than me.

 

[Codyyy]

Turtle Wax had bug and tar remover that worked pretty good.

 

[G-force]

Xylene

 

[Angry welder]

I have been told that WD-40 did a great job at taking tree sap off. I have not had to try it, but I was told by several people it worked really well.

 

[Flivver250]

torch

 

[njride]

Im an auto painter. ..cold soapy water.

By the time you're done you can put in for retirement.

Use isopropyl alchohol, i detailed for a long time, it works, especially on pine sap, and it will not hurt modern basecoat/clearcoat paint, just dont drip it everywhere and follow the alchohol with a damp chamois.

If your worried test it in a doorjamb first, it wont hurt the paint and by virtue of removing the sap in 5 seconds will cause zero damage as opposed to you going at the paint with soapy water for an hour back and forth. Not to mention sand paper, a torch, rubbing at it with bug remover on a scruffy sponge for twenty minutes etc. Just use alchohol, any is better than the above methods, ive found for some reason isopropyl alchohol dissolves it in seconds with hardly any rubbing needed. Hit it with some wax after and your good.

 

[David Paul]

Okay, but what about getting the tree sap off his car?

 

[bonneyman]

I've been using methyl hydrate for years with no ill effects on paint.

Sounds like methanol (old-fashioned windshield washer fluid).

 

[MikeF2316]

I used turpentine back when I had to park under pine trees. Hot water and soap worked on the tiny spots.

 

[Lightning rod]

Wd40 or Invisible Glass , glass cleaner
Both work well

 

[Jokeman]

Isopropol alcohol works the best. Wet a rag and let it sit on the sap for a minute. Then wipe over it a few times. Ive found it works better than laquer thinner and other chemicals

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Tecnu works as well.

 

[Jarred767]

Another detailer here and there's a ton of pine trees here in Central Oregon. I'll add to the list of isopropyl alcohol suggestions. It's the easiest, quickest and doesn't hurt the paint, just wipe the area down after and do it in the shade. It will strip any wax on the car though, so you need to reapply after.

 

[928'er]

Friend of mine was preping a car for a respray. After sanding, they had to leave it sit overnight. A "helper" wiped the car down with WD40 to prevent surface rust.

They never could get paint to stick to that car....

 

[Smiliesafari]

Lots of pine trees around my place. Removing pine sap is a regular occurrence. I've always used mineral spirits. Quick, easy, no problems with paint.

 

[Jacobson]

Tecnu works as well.

The poison ivy stuff? What made you try that!?!?

 

[WanderingSol07]

I suggest warm soapy water wash and claybar while still wet with soap.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

The poison ivy stuff? What made you try that!?!?

It said on the bottle it removes it from clothing and gear so I tried it on the car.

 

[davewo]

Baby oil breaks the chemical bond of pine sap. I have pines on my property and some of them drop a lot of sap that gets in my hair. I can't vouch for what baby oil does to paint, but it removes pine sap with almost no effort.

 

[GDPossehl]

I've used hand sanitizer with success. It's lubricated alcohol... perfect.

 

[countryroad82]

Friend of mine was preping a car for a respray. After sanding, they had to leave it sit overnight. A "helper" wiped the car down with WD40 to prevent surface rust.

They never could get paint to stick to that car....

Prison. Prison is exactly where I would go after I ripped my 'helpers' arms off and either beat him to death with them or drowned him in WD40.

 

[Jacobson]

It said on the bottle it removes it from clothing and gear so I tried it on the car.

Tecnu's main ingredient is mineralized spirits.

 

[05r50]

Dawn dishwashing soap.