stubborn tree sap - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

noblejr · 08-23-2003, 07:35 AM

I have some tree sap on my 77 Corvette that I can't seem to get rid of. I have tried a few producs, TurtleWax Bug, Tar and Sap remover, an aerosol tar and sap remover, and a heck of a lot of elbow grease. I'm intent on getting this stuff off, but I'm also worried about damaging the 26 year old paint job in the process. Any help?

Moonduck · 08-23-2003, 08:52 AM

Have you tried detailing clay? I've done some amazing removals with it. Try a local parts store, and if you can't find, ask a body shop. Any good b/s supplier should stock it.

Peryn · 08-23-2003, 09:04 AM

Clay bars are your best freind for any sort of serious car cleaning or detailing. Get a finish you can get any other way without a ton of elbow grease. Kinda pricey, but easy to use, and will make even the ugliest of paint jobs at least feel awesome to the touch.

I have a big Eucaliptus tree at my house, and given the jeep i drive it hadn't been waxed in ages. So it dropped it crap on the car, i hadn't been driving it for like 3 weeks, so never washed. Well i got it out and washed it, and clay barred it and it looked shiny as hell, and felt smoother than the factory pain probably did. One problem though, the stains were still on the paint. So i took a lot of rubbing compound and more elbow grease than i thought i had, i its almost all out and can only be seen upon close inspection. Follow by wax coats and im good to go, but it took a looong time to get it done. So my reccommendation is to get a pretty rough rubbing compound and have at it. My paint is only 15 years old and neglected and like i said, it feels better than ever after that.

If you actually have the sap on there still, not just the stain, so its sticky or something, try some rubbing alchohol. I had my car covered in tape as a prank once, and took several weeks to get around to washing it. There was a lot of adhesive left on the car and nothing i found would take it out. A bottle of isopropyl later, a little green scouring pad (worn out so it wasn't too harsh on the paint) and it all came off. If that doesn't do it, there is a product called Goo-Gone out there. Works great for tar, gum, and other stuff stuck around the house, i imagine it would be similar for sap on your car.

mighty mouse · 08-23-2003, 01:23 PM

Butter or margarine! Takes the sap right off and absolutely will not hurt the paint. Try it!

DEI37 · 08-24-2003, 05:46 AM

A clay bar won't help here. Get some 3M Adhesive Remover...it's what I've used in the past. Usually, that and your fingernails, and it comes right off.

Moonduck · 08-25-2003, 09:34 PM

Never had problems with detailing clay on tree sap hereabouts. Maybe it depends on the tree.

08-23-2003, 07:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
noblejr Crazy Location: Atlanta	stubborn tree sap I have some tree sap on my 77 Corvette that I can't seem to get rid of. I have tried a few producs, TurtleWax Bug, Tar and Sap remover, an aerosol tar and sap remover, and a heck of a lot of elbow grease. I'm intent on getting this stuff off, but I'm also worried about damaging the 26 year old paint job in the process. Any help?

08-23-2003, 09:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Peryn Junkie Location: San Diego, CA.	Clay bars are your best freind for any sort of serious car cleaning or detailing. Get a finish you can get any other way without a ton of elbow grease. Kinda pricey, but easy to use, and will make even the ugliest of paint jobs at least feel awesome to the touch. I have a big Eucaliptus tree at my house, and given the jeep i drive it hadn't been waxed in ages. So it dropped it crap on the car, i hadn't been driving it for like 3 weeks, so never washed. Well i got it out and washed it, and clay barred it and it looked shiny as hell, and felt smoother than the factory pain probably did. One problem though, the stains were still on the paint. So i took a lot of rubbing compound and more elbow grease than i thought i had, i its almost all out and can only be seen upon close inspection. Follow by wax coats and im good to go, but it took a looong time to get it done. So my reccommendation is to get a pretty rough rubbing compound and have at it. My paint is only 15 years old and neglected and like i said, it feels better than ever after that. If you actually have the sap on there still, not just the stain, so its sticky or something, try some rubbing alchohol. I had my car covered in tape as a prank once, and took several weeks to get around to washing it. There was a lot of adhesive left on the car and nothing i found would take it out. A bottle of isopropyl later, a little green scouring pad (worn out so it wasn't too harsh on the paint) and it all came off. If that doesn't do it, there is a product called Goo-Gone out there. Works great for tar, gum, and other stuff stuck around the house, i imagine it would be similar for sap on your car. __________________ Dont cry kid, It's not your fault you suck.

08-24-2003, 05:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
DEI37 Go faster! Location: Wisconsin	A clay bar won't help here. Get some 3M Adhesive Remover...it's what I've used in the past. Usually, that and your fingernails, and it comes right off. __________________ Generally speaking, if you were to get what you really deserve, you might be unpleasantly surprised.

08-23-2003, 08:52 AM	#2 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Have you tried detailing clay? I've done some amazing removals with it. Try a local parts store, and if you can't find, ask a body shop. Any good b/s supplier should stock it.

08-23-2003, 01:23 PM	#4 (permalink)
mighty mouse Crazy	Butter or margarine! Takes the sap right off and absolutely will not hurt the paint. Try it!

08-25-2003, 09:34 PM	#6 (permalink)
Moonduck Junkie Location: SE USA	Never had problems with detailing clay on tree sap hereabouts. Maybe it depends on the tree.