There aren’t many situations more dangerous than a car placed under a tree in the early spring. It’s not just a matter of having to be worried about bird droppings when you park under a tree however, you also need to be worried about drops of sap causing damage to the paint of your vehicle.

While a tiny bit of tree sap on your vehicle may not appear to be something to worry about, but it could quickly turn difficult to deal with if it is it is left to dry. When exposed to the sun’s rays, the tree sap on cars hardens as epoxy. The longer it’s been on a car’s exterior, the greater chance for it to degrade the paint and penetrate the protective coating that is clear.

But it won’t ruin your vehicle’s paint overnight. If your vehicle has recently suffered the ravages of a destructive maple tree, there’s time to fix the issue that’s soon to be. Here are some suggestions to get rid of sap from trees without causing damage to your paint.

Before we start this, let us know that taking tree sap off the car is challenging, especially in the case of dry sap. It requires lots of effort, some free time, and good conditions. If you’re not in a position to finish this DIY task, you must think about going to a neighborhood auto paint store for expert assistance.

Hand Wash ASAP

Do you want to know how to get rid of the pine sap from your car without causing damage to the paint? Think about it. It’s actually pine sap. Automatic car washes are useful; however, they are not able to remove old sap from your car’s exterior. In fact, automated vehicle washes could make things worse by spreading the sap all over! A thorough hand wash is the most effective method of getting sap off the car, especially in the event that you’re able to apply an appropriate sponge to your vehicle before the sap gets a chance to dry.

  1. For the beginning, gather everything you need, including a couple of buckets of boiling water. The key to cleaning sap from trees is hot water. You will also need the power washer or hose and sponges and carwash soap, and microfiber cloth.
  2. After that, park your car in a shaded area (but not underneath the shade of a tree). Sunlight will cause premature drying of water, causing water stains and increasing the chance of getting scratched.
  3. Rinse your vehicle thoroughly, making sure that there is no nook or crevice that isn’t rinsed. If you decide to employ a power washer, ensure that the nozzle is set to a higher setting so that it doesn’t cause damage to the paint.
  4. After the car has been washed, then scrub the car and its sap using a clean sponge, washing gloves, and soap. Hot water also makes an enormous difference since heat assists in softening any dry sap.
  5. Rinse and repeat till the sap is not visible. Use your finger to scratch off any remaining residue.
  6. Last but not least, dry the car completely and apply a firm coating of wax. Polish the car to add some polish.

The majority of people be able to use the hand-wash method successfully, but you might have to follow additional steps to get rid of any tree sap stuck on your vehicle. Take a look at these other ways to remove sap:

Rubbing Alcohol or Mineral Spirits

  1. Clean a cloth or rag make sure that it’s clean!  In isopropyl or mineral spirits until it is thoroughly wet.
  2. Apply the cloth soaked to the sap of the tree, and allow it to rest for around 30 minutes. (Note alcohol can remove paint from your vehicle as well as clear coatings. So don’t keep the rag in your car to sit for too long).
  3. Examine the sap to see if it has been softened. Do you have the ability to wipe it away with a cloth? If not, repeat step 2. In the event that sap becomes more flexible, then continue to step 3.
  4. Wipe the sap cleanly with the circular “wax on, wax off” motion. If you’re in need, you can put a constant stream of hot water straight onto the sap of the tree for 15 seconds. After that, wipe off any remnants.
  5. Then, wash and rinse the area using soap and hot water to get rid of any remnants of alcohol.

Additionally, you can Make use of hand cleanser or another kind of alcohol that is used as or as a sap remover for trees and automobiles.

Razor Blade

Looking for a way to get tree sap out of your vehicle If it’s actually Baked on and dried? A blade could be employed, but it is important to remember that this can cause more harm to the paint of your car! Be cautious!

  1. To begin, you must make the sap loose by using an industrial product, ruby alcohol, or an oil-based grease.
  2. Take a clean razor blade or utility knife and work it very gently and cautiously, trying to scrape the sap away.
  3. The blade should be gently wiggled under the sap to allow you to “peel” it away.
  4. We cannot stress this enough take your time! A mistake could cause the appearance of a dark scratch on your paint and force you to go to the auto body repair shop to repair the damage.

This is not a last resort method in that applying an edged blade to your car could seriously damage the paint of your vehicle in the wrong way. It’s an excellent method of removing the sap of trees from windshields and windows; however, cutting your paint is dangerous.

WD-40

Did you know that you could utilize WD-40 to remove sap from the paints on your car? It truly is a miraculous cure!

  1. Spray WD-40 directly onto the sap stain, and allow it to sit for five minutes.
  2. Place a damp cloth, which has been bathed with hot water, over the top of your skin to allow for more permeation. (Optional)
  3. Rub the fabric off the sap. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until you are done.
  4. After the sap has gone, clean the area thoroughly with soap and hot water.

Cooking Oil

  1. When the sap appears clean, then you can coat it with non-toxic cooking oils such as coconut oil and canola oils. It should be left to rest for five minutes.
  2. Place a damp cloth that has been soaked with hot water over the top of your skin to allow for more absorption. (Optional)
  3. Clean up the sap. Repeat the steps 1, 2, and 3 if needed.
  4. Then, rinse the area thoroughly with soap and hot water.

Commercial Cleaners

  1. Buy a commercial cleaning and adhesive remover created to help you get rid of sticky substances. Goof Off, Goo Gone, Turtle Wax Bug, and Tar Remover, as well as 3M(tm) Adhesive Remover are all excellent choices, however, there are many other solutions that work.
  2. Follow the instructions to use it or apply the product onto a clean, dry cloth and then place it over the sap for several minutes.
  3. Clean up the sap and repeat step 2 as needed.
  4. After the sap is gone, scrub the area thoroughly with hot soap and water.

Baking Soda

  1. Create a thick paste of baking soda.
  2. The tree sap is covered on your vehicle using the paste and slowly spreading it out without scratching the paint.
  3. Let this sit for a couple of minutes.
  4. Pour an overflow of boiling water onto the surface of the sap and baking soda.
  5. Clean the area with a clean, moist rag.