Sap!

Euro///AvusM3 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 12:06 AM

i have a spot of sap on my car. its only noticable to me but i hate it. does anyone have an idea of how i can get it off? thanks in advance

Greg · #2 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 01:36 PM

I assume you mean tree sap? Try a clay bar or polish. If that doesn't remove it, let me know.

Euro///AvusM3 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 02:34 PM

this is gonna sound stupid, but i dont know what a clay bar is. can you tell me where i can get it?

DeeDubb · #4 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 03:17 PM

Clay bar is just that, Clay. Mothers has a claybar that you can buy. They have a claybar "kit" that comes with wax and such. It lets the impurities on the paint stick to the bar, giving your car that smooth factory appearance we've all come to love. HEHE
You can buy it at autozone,checker etc.

Mike///M · #5 (**permalink**) 10-05-2003, 05:52 PM

All you need is some bug & tar remover. That should take care of your problem.

98whiteM3 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 09:09 AM

Rubbing alcohol works. Just put some on a cloth rub it over the tree sap and it takes it out.

98whiteM3 · #7 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 09:12 AM

***note on rubbing alcohol***

ive only used this on my dads truck which he doesnt care about the paint job since its a work truck. hasnt stripped the paint yet but i dont know the long term effects

JetBlack330Ci · #8 (**permalink**) 10-12-2003, 08:07 PM

This is from http://www.autopia.ws/index.php , where you can find more useful information.

Quote:

TREE SAP
... Removing tree sap from a car's finish is a bit more difficult than tar, as hardened sap can scratch your paint. I've found that by hand-rubbing the sap spots with mineral spirits or denatured alcohol, I'm able to easily remove the sap without damaging the finish. Mineral spirits and denatured alcohol act as a solvent to break up and dissolve the sap.

If there is a large amount of sap on the car, or if the sap has been left on the finish for an extended period of time, it can be a lot of work to remove. For these cases, I discovered that hitting the affected areas with a light-duty buffing compound removes the hardened surface on the sap spots. Then I can hit the sap with the mineral spirits to remove it. The light duty buffing compound softens the sap so the mineral spirits or denatured alcohol can do its job. The goal is to use the least pressure possible to reduce the risk of scratching the paint. After removing heavy sap, I always buff the treated areas with a good polish to clean up any marks created during hand-rubbing with solvent. The treated area must also be re-waxed.

ne0 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-29-2003, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 98whiteM3
Rubbing alcohol works. Just put some on a cloth rub it over the tree sap and it takes it out.

Never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever...use rubbing alcohol...it will ruin your paint finish and strip the clear coat layers right off...

CAP-E-TAN · #10 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 08:24 PM

you can use the rubbing alcohol
paint thinner
degreaser
strong stuff.............okay but be careful........use sparingly
you might try dishwashing detergent
BE VERY VERY CAREFUL
then clean the surface...getting rid of all the cleaner residue
then use rubbing coumpound apply twice
then use a good polish(for shine)
then seal it with carnuba wax
*
*
i do this at least once a year......over the whole car
this really works good on a WHITE car

freshstart · #11 (**permalink**) 11-16-2003, 04:58 PM

I own a high end detail shop and I get asked this sap question several times a week.

Most REPUTABLE detail shops will remove a glob of sap for you at no charge because it should only take a second to dissolve it then reapply the wax. I said REPUTABLE!!! Don't you dare go to some back alley shop where there are butt loads of dealer cars all over the place and not a high school diploma on premises!!!

To do it yourself you simply need to dissolve the sap. The longer it's been on there and baked in the sun the harder it gets and the more damage can be done so take it off as soon as you notice it ok? Use a common bug and tar remover or WD40 or lacquer thinner but here's the key...

DO NOT RUB HARD AND PUSH AND SCRAPE THE SAP OFF! Apply the chemical to a cotton rag and lightly rub it on the sap, letting the chemical do the work. The harder the sap is, the longer you'll have to let the chemical do it's thing, be patient. People mess up their paint and create a dull spot on their clearcoat from simply applying too much pressure.

Also realize that once the sap is gone there may be a permanent blemish and/or mild checking of the clearcoat underneath. That's your punishment for letting this happen to your car, wear it with pride!lol

So now the sap is gone you need to reapply the wax you just stripped off.

We do this a few times a week the whole process should take less than 5 minutes even for the beginer.

timsev · #12 (**permalink**) 11-19-2003, 05:22 PM

USE 3M ADHESIVE REMOVER!!!!!!!!! Don't use rubbing alcohol. It will weaken the paint over time and make it look dull. after you use the adhesive remover, run some wax over the area. you should be done.