How To Remove Tree Sap From A Car
I wouldn’t say I like It when a tree attacks my car, and I’m sure you do. Tree attacks can take many forms, including bird bombings from high or low branches, needles or leaves that get into vents and radiator pores, insects that live in trees and decide to work their magic on the car’s finish, and trees that play your vehicle for a sap.
I’ve had several questions about the best way to remove tree sap from car finishes safely. Tree sap can be poisonous, and every country region has trees that freely exude it.
Smoke trees bomb cars with sap and needles in the West, pine trees do their thing elsewhere, and maple and elm trees and their ilk can’t wait for you to park under them.
Standing under one of these offenders, you can sometimes feel the sap falling like drizzle on a cloudy day.
There are several methods for removing the tree sap; your method depends on how long the sap has been on the car.
Removing Tree Sap From Car
I’ve had wonderful results for years removing tree sap from my vehicle: by following the methods below:
What you’ll require:
- 2 terry cloths or soft towels, clean
- Box cutting blade (only for use on glass!)
- 1 insect and tar remover can or bottle, or rubbing alcohol
- A bucket of water, as well as a sponge or a wash mitt.
- Quick detailer polish or spray wax
- A little muscle (elbow grease) and patience
What you should do is:
1. Wash and dry your vehicle to create a clean working surface.
2. Apply a few drops of the sap removal solution to a clean towel or terry cloth and wipe away the sap. I recommend Turtle Wax’s Bug and Tar Remover, which can be found for about $10 at most convenience and auto-parts stores. Rubbing alcohol can also be used.
3. Now, put the cloth on top of the designated section and wait at least 30 seconds before moving it.
4. Rub the affected region until the sap has disappeared. Because some tree sap is difficult to remove, you may need to repeat steps 3 and 4.
5. If the sap persists, don’t be afraid to scratch some of it away with your fingernails.
6. Once your car’s paint is free of sap, apply a few droplets of fast wax, polish it off, or wipe it off with a cleaning cloth, and you’re ready to go.
Have you had a puddle of sap on your windshield or windows?
Unless you want long, sticky streaks blocking your vision, don’t use your windshield wipers if it’s still new and not solidified.
To remove tree sap from your windows, repeat steps 1 through 6. Simply use a glass-cleaning product instead of fast wax for the final step.
Using a sharp box cutter blade to remove sap from vehicle glass is another useful idea. This procedure is quick and straightforward for me, and it works best with hardened sap.
This is also an excellent tool for removing stickers from windows.
If my back window gets a few spots of fresh sap on it, I’ll usually wait a day or two before slowly scraping the sap off with a sharp box cutter blade.
Just be sure to maintain it flat against the windshield to avoid scratching it.
While we hope to be of assistance, Gardenfrontier.com is not responsible for any damage to your car that may result from following the methods above.
