tree sap on car, best way to remove it?

holden j caufield

Diamond Member
Dec 30, 1999
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so I was at my friends house and I guess they cut the trees the day before or what not but a bunch of tree sap fell on my car. So how do I get it off. Looks like it's already crystalized.
 

Jerboy

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Oct 27, 2001
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Originally posted by: Beau6183
Acetone?

Paint-thinner?







;)

Acetone is too stinky, extremely flammable and too volatile.

Paint-thinner might not be powerful enough. I'd recommend turpentine. Derived from pine and it is pretty good at dissolving tree sap.
 

Beau

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Jun 25, 2001
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www.beauscott.com
Originally posted by: Jerboy
Originally posted by: Beau6183 Acetone? Paint-thinner? ;)
Acetone is too stinky, extremely flammable and too volatile. Paint-thinner might not be powerful enough. I'd recommend turpentine. Derived from pine and it is pretty good at dissolving tree sap.

And paint.
 

Thegonagle

Diamond Member
Jun 8, 2000
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If it doesn't come off easily with a sponge, soap and hot water, you've probably waited too long to wax the car. I'd go to an auto store and buy a product that claims suitability for the purpose, and then wax the car after, because any product like that will probably remove any wax you may have had left.
 

Jerboy

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Oct 27, 2001
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Originally posted by: Beau6183
Originally posted by: Jerboy
Originally posted by: Beau6183 Acetone? Paint-thinner? ;)
Acetone is too stinky, extremely flammable and too volatile. Paint-thinner might not be powerful enough. I'd recommend turpentine. Derived from pine and it is pretty good at dissolving tree sap.

And paint.


Actually not. Turpentine is less agressive to cured paint than acetone, but it dissolves sap just as well, if not better. Acetone is ketone group solvent and it's very agressive to cured paint.
 

Eli

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Rubbling alcohol might even do the trick, with enough scrubbing..
 

Evadman

Administrator Emeritus<br>Elite Member
Feb 18, 2001
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Originally posted by: Yucky
goof-gone
Which is it, Goof-Off or Goo-Gone?

Be careful with goof-off. That will eat the paint right off if left on too long. Trust me. we use it @ work to remove label residue from the beams. It takes the baked on finish off if left on for over 30 seconds.
 

NetworkDad

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Jan 22, 2001
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Q. How do I remove tree sap from my car or clothing?

A. Pine pitch can easily be removed from almost anything by using a water-soluble paint brush cleaner. The best thing, which is also harmless to skin, paint and hair, is bacon grease or lard. Just rub it on, and off comes the sap. To get pine sap off of your hands, simply rub mayonaise on them. Then wash it off. It works great. To remove pine tar or almost anything, apply lighter fluid, gasoline or WD-40 to the stain. Plain old rubbing alchohol also works great.
Avon Skin So Soft (oil) removes it just like that. It also will take the sap off cars and windows.

??who knows...might work.
 

bmacd

Lifer
Jan 15, 2001
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Originally posted by: Moonbeam
Either a sand blaster or a blow torch will work.

lol...i was thinking along the same lines. Either that or a good 50 lb. sledge should do the trick.

-=bmacd=-
 

Cyberian

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Jun 17, 2000
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We used to use kerosene to remove tar spots from rocker panels and fenders, but I don't know about newer paint formulations.