Auto Detailing 101 General discussion of auto cleaning and detailing. Learn tips and tricks to keep your Ford Ranger looking its best.

Tree Sap Removal

Old Jun 27, 2008
  #1  
RangerSkippyRoo's Avatar
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Tree Sap Removal

Has anyone found a good tip for cleaning tree sap off clearcoat. This is like large globs, not light spray and right now they are very tacky still
 
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Old Jun 27, 2008
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From: Elizabeth City, NC
Carefully razor blade the excess off, then use goo-gone or bug and tar remover.

Park elsewhere....
 
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Old Jun 27, 2008
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I've heard rain x works too
 
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Old Jun 27, 2008
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I had three globs on my powerdome hood. I used goo gone to lubricate, then carefully used a new razer blade and got rid of the majority. Then used goo one/goof off to finish it off.

No damage and looks fine.
 
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Old Jul 8, 2008
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i had huge pitch spots all over my roof when i got my truck from the previous owner since he lived near a lake, i must of had over 20 huge spots i used goo gone, carb cleaner, and a mr clean magic earser to get all that crap off. then used paper towels and more goo gone followed by washing the entire truck. took a while but it worked ;\ and did no damage
 
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Old Jul 8, 2008
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Turtle Wax "Bug and Tar Remover". Works wonders. Sap comes off with one wipe, seriously, and also removes "overspray" from getting rust proofed.

I always keep a bottle with me.
 
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Old Jul 17, 2008
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From: henderson
bug remover then clay bar.
 
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Old Sep 11, 2008
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Originally Posted by Earl43P
Carefully razor blade the excess off, then use goo-gone or bug and tar remover.

Park elsewhere....
Originally Posted by Fx4wannabe01
I had three globs on my powerdome hood. I used goo gone to lubricate, then carefully used a new razer blade and got rid of the majority. Then used goo one/goof off to finish it off.

No damage and looks fine.
No no no no NO! NEVER take a razor blade to your paint! What on earth makes it sound like a good idea?! This is a PERFECT way to put some nice scratches into your paint. I don't care if your trying to be "careful" or not, your are taking a nice gambel on some probably nice paint. I personally wouldn't chance something like that and possibly have to shell out a few hundred if not a few grand to repaint and properly blend the paint to look good again.

Originally Posted by MaceTheAce05
bug remover then clay bar.
This man has it right, a good bug and tar remover can do wonders. Or, you can use a quality claybar and remove the surface contamenents(sp?).
 
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Old Sep 11, 2008
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90% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, works like a charm. my mother-in-law lives in a trailer park (pine pitch haven)
 
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Old Sep 11, 2008
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From: Steel Town, Pa
+2 crunchy...Turtle Wax "Bug and Tar Remover"

Wife's scion had gooy sap, treated it and then treated again a few days later after dry. Most came off with "light" finger nail pressure and Turtle Wax "Bug and Tar Remover".

My dad swears by alcohol though.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2008
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Kerosene it is oil based and it will not hurt your clear coat or the paint detail shops use it all the time. Get the old school style stuff at like a farm and ranch store if you dont believe me try a tiny bit and then see for yourself
 
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Old Sep 12, 2008
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Originally Posted by RangerMuse
Kerosene it is oil based and it will not hurt your clear coat or the paint detail shops use it all the time. Get the old school style stuff at like a farm and ranch store if you dont believe me try a tiny bit and then see for yourself
so would that work on the little bit of gorilla glue that dripped onto my paint? i had to gorilla glue my chrome window trim on my passenger side.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2008
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just for the over reaction...

razor, hell if your feelin ballsy why not like a 9" air sander



naw, i used the goo-be-gone or goo off..
 
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Old Sep 12, 2008
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Originally Posted by 99MazdaB4000
so would that work on the little bit of gorilla glue that dripped onto my paint? i had to gorilla glue my chrome window trim on my passenger side.
It shouldnt have a problem taking that off just dab some on a rag and buff it off little by little.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2008
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Originally Posted by 3.9square
No no no no NO! NEVER take a razor blade to your paint! What on earth makes it sound like a good idea?! This is a PERFECT way to put some nice scratches into your paint. I don't care if your trying to be "careful" or not, your are taking a nice gambel on some probably nice paint. I personally wouldn't chance something like that and possibly have to shell out a few hundred if not a few grand to repaint and properly blend the paint to look good again.

Thank you for your concern. I am careful and have no scratches where i did my sap removal. I know what i'm doing...and what I did worked wonders. Thanks for making me sound like an idiot.
 
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Old Sep 12, 2008
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Originally Posted by Fx4wannabe01
Thank you for your concern. I am careful and have no scratches where i did my sap removal. I know what i'm doing...and what I did worked wonders. Thanks for making me sound like an idiot.
First off, I told you all I was a douche. Second, I am trying to help others here. Yes, you might be able to use a razor blade and not do any damage but thats a fairly big gamble there if you ask me. So why not use something that was meant to get tree sap off your car if it means doing it safely. But if you feel like using a razor blade for YOUR car is ok, then by all means go for it, just dont recomend it to others. I will just be waiting for the "Well, I need a new paint job" thread.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2008
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From: Tx
WD 40 worked fine for me, but I park under a tree every day, so I kind of gave up... I want to rip the tree out, but its not mine.
 
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Old Sep 17, 2008
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mayonaisse works too just make sure to wash the car after
 
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Old Sep 24, 2008
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Originally Posted by Fx4wannabe01
Thank you for your concern. I am careful and have no scratches where i did my sap removal. I know what i'm doing...and what I did worked wonders. Thanks for making me sound like an idiot.

I don't think he made you look like an idiot.

I do think you over-reacted a little.
 
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Old Oct 1, 2008
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Melt
mayonaisse works too just make sure to wash the car after
x2 on the mayo

even works on pine tar...

plus it's good on a sandwich lol
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010
  #21  
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i had a girlfriend that had hardened sap and i had to use gas to get it off
 
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Old Jan 19, 2010
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I know this thread is old, but...

Initially I use Poorboys Bug Squash to remove bugs, bird doo-doo, and treesap. Now if you allowed it to sit, or it etched the paint quickly, then you have no choice but to polish. Start with SSR 1.0 or M205 and move deeper (more abrasive) as needed.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010
  #23  
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From: N.providence
Smooth peanut butter has worked for me....As safe as it gets on nice paint...you'll work to get the sap off but its worth it.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010
  #24  
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depending on the conditions such as time and weather temps... if the sap/bugs/ poo is fairly recent and the temps are normal like 70-8? just use a good CAR WASH soap, get a sponge or a towel and just soak up the CAR WASH soap and let the sponge sit on the spot for about 30 mins so go make yourself a samwich then come back and wipe away.

if the particulates are etched then follow KLC.
 
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Old Jun 8, 2010
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From: Tigard, OR/ Monmouth, OR
100 grit sand paper and a belt sander
 
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