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[I_want_an_Omega]

Hi,

Does anyone have any idea of how to remove dried tree sap from paintwork?

The previous owner of my car parked it under trees and the roof is covered in the stuff.   

I'm sure that there is an easy way of doing it - but the wrong "stuff" would damage the paintwork.

In anticipation .........

[Jimbob]

i'd probably start with trafic film remover, or tar remover if very stubborn

[924boy]

I've got a bottle of autoglym intensive tar remover that would do it i'm sure. Never any signs of paint damage with it either! 

[I_want_an_Omega]

I'm not sure - these products are oil based - its a natural plant resin that I'm looking to remove.

I've tried T Cut but that has had minimal effect.

I was hoping that there might be a magic answer based on vingar or lemo juice maybe? 

[Tonka.]

 http://www.usautoparts.net/bmw/repairs/detailing/tree_sap.htm

To remove the tree sap from your vehicle's surface, you can use finger nail polish remover on a cotton ball. After the sap is removed, make a paste of water and baking soda to wash the affected area, then apply wax.

Another method to remove the sap is to use mineral sprits (it will also remove tar). Use a soft, terry towel, or wash cloth dampened with mineral sprits. After removal, wash the car and apply wax to the affected area.

Tree sap can also be removed by using a water-soluble paint brush cleaner. A common household solution is bacon grease or lard. Just rub it on, and off comes the sap. To get tree sap off of your hands, simply rub mayonnaise on them and wash it off. To remove tree sap and other substances, you can use common solvents like lighter fluid, rubbing alcohol, WD-40 or even Skin-So-Soft bath oil.

The way to use those materials is to let them do their work of dissolving (in the case of alcohol) or softening (in the case of oils), enough to rub off the remaining sap. If you use the oil, wash the car afterwards to remove it.

You can also use commercial wax and grease-removing products available at auto supply stores. Be sure to wash and dry the car before applying the wax and grease remover. Then dampen a clean cloth with the solvent and rub the affected area. It may require several attempts if the sap is very thick or extremely hard. The surface may appear hazy after the solvent evaporates, but a good wax application will eliminate the haze and complete the job.

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 acts as a solvent to break up and dissolve the sap.

 

[RobG]

As 924boy says. This is the stuff http://www.autoglym.co.uk/engb/product-proddetail.asp?v06VQ=GD&Range=1

[Weds]

I have a protected oak tree in our front garden and for a few months every year we have tree sap on our cars, just plain old water gets this sap off...

[Mr Skrunts]

Try a little bit of parafin on a rag, also good as a tar remover.

[I_want_an_Omega]

or petrol?

[dbug]

metal pan scourer?

[GastronomicKleptomaniac]

Clay. Every time.