Sap on Car

[GrandmaBig6]

I got sap on my car during our annual vacation to the Lakes Region this year.

Do you have any suggestions on how to get it off?

The car looks like it has the chicken pox on it. I've tried WD40 and GooGone, but neither have worked.

Thanks for the help,
Mary

[MarkinNH]

Use Dry Gas, you will be amazed at how easy the sap / pitch cleans off. It will also remove any wax in the area that you apply it so plan on rewaxing those areas or even better, wax the entire car, a fresh coat of wax never hurts.

[Two dobys]

Rubbing alcohol also removes sap. Use a clean rag and keep turning it over. Try not to rub old sap on paint surface. When finished removong sap, wax the affected panels.

[Newbiesaukee]

Strangely enough, one of the "Fantastic" type of cleaner works very well.

[old coot]

DL Hand Cleaner, which is sold in most auto parts stores, is a gentle lanolin enriched cream in a non-aeorsol can that will gently dissolve and emulsify the sap and pitch as you gently massage it on with your hand to the sappy area.
Then you may float the residue away with a garden hose.
As long as you don't buy the type with pumice which is abrasive and which will scratch your paint you'll be pleased and amazed, as your hands and car will be left delightfully clean.

[Pineedles]

I drive my cars to the end of life. The pitch holds the car together for the last 1-2 years. I don't remove it. Lincoln Continental 2001 230K miles and still going strong, albeit I had to drive with the windows down this summer. AC crapped out in January. If I didn't need AC in my 1964 1/2 Mustang, I don't need it in my ride now, right?:laugh:

[CateP]

I was told by an auto detailer to use "Bug and Tar" remover for cars. I wouldn't use anything like Goo Gone or WD40. You may take the shiny finish off your car with that stuff.

[DRH]

After trying all kinds of solvents for removing pine sap, the one that works best for me is denatured alcohol, which is readily available at any hardware store. It removes the sap quickly without causing any damage to the car's finish.

[TOAD]

Alcohol of any type denatured, rubbing etc will get rid of the sap. Just wax area after it is removed.

[Jetman]

Alcohol works well as mentioned however after you soften it with one rag, you need to wipe the residue off with another clean rag otherwise it just softens and spreads the sap out.

However I just finished using Purell Hand Sanitizer to take off about 50 marks on a black finish. This worked even better. Just a small drop on the sap, wait a few seconds and rub it with your finger, then a clean rag. Works great.

[Peter]

I second denatured alcohol. Works like a charm.

[tis]

A little off topic but, does anyone have any ideas how to get pitch off a screen door? We got lots during the hurricane and I am having an awful time getting it off.

[Jeanzb1]

This has been a WICKED year for pine sap. Some years are worse than others.

[robmac]

Same thing on any surface denatured alchohol.

[MarkinNH]

After trying all kinds of solvents for removing pine sap, the one that works best for me is denatured alcohol, which is readily available at any hardware store. It removes the sap quickly without causing any damage to the car's finish.

ANY product that will remove pine sap from a vehicles painted surface is going to do damage to the surface that it touches. You may not damage the clear coat and actual paint but you WILL remove any wax.
I am no auto body man nor am I a chemical engineer but I do know that the clear coat protects the paint and a good coat of quality wax protects the clear coat. which is why it is important to keep a good wax finish on your vehicle's.

[AC2717]

Gasoline is one of the best remover's out there, for pine sap on almost anything
but on a car you will have to reapply wax, as it will leave the clear coat exposed to the elements

[ITD]

Just tell him to sit somewhere else.:D

[NN2NH]

I've lurked here for years and am FINALLY registered! How to get sap off a car? The same way you get chewing gum out of children's hair - peanut butter!
The simple, safe solution!

[LIforrelaxin]

The key to getting pine sap off of a vehicle is not to let it sit too long, and then use a little elbow grease.... I am amazed at the suggestions here though, and while I am sure they all work, the potential damage to the finish of the car isn't worth the risk... A good auto-wash soap will have all the ingredients already in it... That is the real key... Make sure you use a soap, designed to wash cars... Turtle wax used to make on that worked remarkably well...

[GrandmaBig6]

I'll try some of these over the weekend. Has anyone heard about using mayonnaise? A family member told me about that one. Once I get the sap off I'll definitely have wax in hand to put the wax on. Don't want to damage the paint.

Thanks again.
Mary

[dpg]

AC crapped out in January. If I didn't need AC in my 1964 1/2 Mustang, I don't need it in my ride now, right?

How do you know it crapped out in January, were you using it then?:eek:

[Pineedles]

Hmmm, now how would I know? Anyone?:D

[John A. Birdsall]

Aloe works pretty good. for windows only, use steel wool and go be gone
I would not use this on painted areas though. When I was told about the steel wool on glass I was nervous that it would scratch or damage the glass, It did not.

[AC2717]

Hmmm, now how would I know? Anyone?:D

I am going with you are a snow bird and needed it down south

[MarkinNH]

The key to getting pine sap off of a vehicle is not to let it sit too long
By the time most realize it's on there it can be quite dry
I am amazed at the suggestions here though, and while I am sure they all work, the potential damage to the finish of the car isn't worth the risk...
I have used "dry gas" Many times on Many different vehicles. Never harmed the "finish" on any of them. The wax Yes, finish No ! The alcohol based cleaners will evaporate quite rapidly and a little common sense goes a long way when using Any cleaning solution on a painted finish.
A good auto-wash soap will have all the ingredients already in it... That is the real key... Make sure you use a soap, designed to wash cars... Turtle wax used to make on that worked remarkably well...
I have tried and used alot of different brand auto soaps over the years, never found one that was worth a damn on pine sap.

[Pineedles]

I am going with you are a snow bird and needed it down south

WE HAVE A WINNER! Not a real snowbird, but I drove down to Orlando to visit a customer.


Good catch though DPG.:D

[gtxrider]

I use this product. Removes tar, sap....

[dpg]

WE HAVE A WINNER! Not a real snowbird, but I drove down to Orlando to visit a customer.


Good catch though DPG.:D

ah-ha gotcha...;)

[AC2717]

WE HAVE A WINNER! Not a real snowbird, but I drove down to Orlando to visit a customer.


Good catch though DPG.:D

What do I win?? Wish I won something

[chipj29]

I've lurked here for years and am FINALLY registered! How to get sap off a car? The same way you get chewing gum out of children's hair - peanut butter!
The simple, safe solution!
Many years ago I was camping in Lake Tahoe and got a big wad of pine sap in my hair. Tried washing it about 30 times with no luck. Someone suggested peanut butter, and it came out pretty easily. Don't know if it would work on a car, but why not give it a try? It's not a chemical that would strip the cars finish.

[SIKSUKR]

Someone suggested peanut butter, and it came out pretty easily. It's not a chemical that would strip the cars finish.

If that really works then I would assume its peanut oil that works as the solvent. One could try a little peanut oil and see.:laugh:

[NoBozo]

Taken from another post awhile ago:

I have used everything. Turpentine WORKS best. Turpentine is made from pine sap so turpentine will disolve pine sap. It will not harm the paint. :) NB

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turpentine

[Loony Singer]

acetone not only takes care of pine sap, but road tar, too.

[NoBozo]

acetone not only takes care of pine sap, but road tar, too.

Acetone is one of most aggressive solvents you can use for ANYTHING. It has it's uses (cleaning glass) but this is NOT one of them. If you have used this solvent for this purpose and got away with it..God bless you. :D

In case anyone wants to recommend Lacquer Thinner ..this is even MORE desolvent than Acetone. Don't LIKE your paint..............?? USE Lacquer Thinner. You will take it down to bare metal. Have fun. NB

[Pineedles]

What do I win?? Wish I won something

You and dpg won a thanks from me. If that's not enough, then you have won a ticket in a drawing for a docking space at my dock during the fireworks in Centre Harbor on July 4th, 2012. Prime space! Like being across from the Bruins bench at ice level during a Stanley Cup playoff game. How's that?:laugh:

[tummyman]

Butter works extremely well. Also works well if you get it on your hands, etc.

[MarkinNH]

Acetone is one of most aggressive solvents you can use for ANYTHING. It has it's uses (cleaning glass) but this is NOT one of them. If you have used this solvent for this purpose and got away with it..God bless you. :D

In case anyone wants to recommend Lacquer Thinner ..this is even MORE desolvent than Acetone. Don't LIKE your paint..............?? USE Lacquer Thinner. You will take it down to bare metal. Have fun. NB

You got that right, if a person is looking to eat right through the clear coat and into the paint on their vehicle, start rubbing one of those 2 products on to the surface.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

The products we make have to resist atack by soaking in about 30 chemicals. We have found over the years that the only two chemicals we have to screen potential formulations in are Acetone and Bleach. If it passes testing in those two, everything else is less destructive. Keep the Acetone away from things you like. It also strips the oils out of your skin.

BTW, nail polish remover is mostly Acetone.

[GrandmaBig6]

Tried the rubbing alcohol on the sap and it removed the polka dot spots off my wine colored car. Used my finger and it made the sap turn into a milky white spot and wiped the spots w/a clean rag. Put Turtle Wax Polish on it right away and the car looks great. Thanks for all the suggestions! Knew I came to the right place!

Mary

[songkrai]

DEET.

Any body insect repellent with deet. Repel or Cutter. Spary or liquid. Easist and fastest I have found.
Always use a soft sponge or cotton rag.
Try it. You'll be surprised at how quickly and completely it works.

And always wash and wax after.