gubby

Anyone got any tips for getting tree sap off paintwork?

Julz1983

I have a tip of what not to do

Don't take it through one of those powerful spraying car washes as it doesn't only take the sap off, it takes the paint aswell!!!

We have the same probs coz we have to park under a tree, had sap on it the other week and took it through the powerful wash on the army camp, it took some paint off the vent about the size of a 5p piece, and hardly got rid of the sap, so my hubby went and tried some washing up liquid and warm water and it came up a treat, looked very sparkly, fairy gets the job done lol.

gubby

Thanks for that.

It feels like it may have been dried on, so I think a bit of elbow grease will also be needed.

version2sti

never tried washing up liquid but tried many other products and i found just plain tap water on a soft cloth work`s a treat

Sirus

you could get the car mopped with g3 that would remove it and also any other small scratch,s

Bubba po

Don't park under a tree.

Seriously, you needn't worry until next May, now.

C8 DHC 04WRX

iTrader: (13)

Meguiars quick clay will shift it, great on bugs too

JCScooby

Auto Glyms tar remover is good for that kind of thing. get it in halfrauds for £4.99.

Trap2Terrorist

iTrader: (3)

I've got Turtle Wax "Bug & Tar Remover" from Halfords.

It works pretty well but is a pain the **** to apply without getting it everywhere (it's a spray bottle).

Also, Once it dries it can take real effort to get it off as well.

In fact it's ****, I don't even use it anymore. Steer well clear.

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

what a great post

paulcornwall

A agree about that stuff, its useless, what are you boys doing up at this hr

Jonty

Yikes! Please be careful when using domestic detergents. Most resources will be happy to advise that these should not be used on vehicles as the chemicals will cause damage to your paintwork. As an OTT analogy, brake fluid will probably also shift sap... not that you'd want to use it mind.

For the whole sap problem, start off with trying to avoid parking under or near trees. Not always possible of course. If your paintwork has a good coating of polish (done at least twice a year) then sap becomes easier to remove as it can't bond onto the panels.

To shift it, always make sure that paintwork is soaked before going at it with your sponge. Use a good, tried and tested automotive shampoo too and with 'warm' water (not hot). The cheap, slimy shampoos I find just don't work too well.

With reasonable pressure you should find the sap washes away. What's left will get shifted when you add a coat of polishing wax (after you've chamoi'd of course).

This is typically all I have to do to combat the trees I have at work. If you want any tips on products I use, have a sniff around my 'car cleaning' pages;

http://www.sopertek.co.uk/mr2/cleaning

Sad..? Perhaps. Shiny motor..? Most definately.

Jonts.

explore

i second that, it gets all the crap out of the paint to but do remember to wax after as the bits that were in the paint will leave the paint open and the wax will seal it.
washing up liq will work but i'd never put it on my car, to much salt and if you let it dry in you'll be in trouble.

Julz1983

We didn't go out and just tip a whole bottle of washing up liquid over the car, it was just a little bit as the sap was solid and we had nothing else, I wouldn't keep doing it, but it was a drop in some water.

We cant avoid parking under a tree as it's outside our house and I want the car where I can see it.

silverscoobydan

Warm (not hot) water with car wash in it. Then seal the paint work with Auto glym Gloss finish or Meguires tech wax. It will not stick in the future then. Also ideal this time of year to generally protect bodywork.

gubby

Thanks for the advice guys n gals.

Something to get on with this weekend.

Julz1983

I think I'll be cleaning the car this week as it is covered in ****e off the roads and that was only from over the weekend,it has mud from **** to elbow and is just generally looking very cr@p, need to get it looking all shiny, but don't worry I'll be using the Autoglym this time, not the washing up liquid