Tree Sap? removal

[scofield]

Just purchased a '02 E320 with silver paint. From almost any vantage point, the paint looks good. There are two exceptions. One is that there are more than several "nics" in the hood paint -- I guess from road debris. The number of these is more than I have experienced with any other car (for 57k miles). Just wandered if soft paint was a problem on this model.

The second problem is what I'm looking for advice on. There are tiny "specs" of something all over the car. I first I thought that they were very tiny nics that were rusting but a closer look revealed a pretty consistent pattern all over the top surface (including the roof), so now I think it is some kind of tree sap. You can't wash it off. If I work a small area with goo-gone (a tar remover) it helps but requires quite a bit of effort. I've also tried Meguiar's #2 surface cleaner which also seemed to help. I'm concerned about "going to town" with either of these approaches because of potential damage to the clear coat. I really want to get the surface as clean as possible before applying a good wax. Someone please help!

[Ferdman]

Try paint cleaning clay ... it will make the surface slippery smooth because it removes all surface contaminants. Before waxing you may want to use a machine polish to maximize the appearance of your paint.

[joeym7]

Hi I go thru this all the time living onLongIsland,we use clay and or Aftelene.I would also either glaze the veh over or use some hard shell wax.joeym

[tiggerfink]

Meguairs sells heavy grit clay that will take care of your problem. I learned from a car-detailing clinic that there are four types of clay base on abrasions: no abrasions, fine, mild, and heavy.

[dolebludger]

I can't speak to all forms of tree sap, but I do know about pine sap. It leaves globs on your car maybe 1'2 inch around. For these, the only solution I have found that works is rubbing or denatured alcohol. And, depending how long the pine sap spot has been left on the car, it can take just a little alcohol and just a second or two to remove several globs. However, my "first shot" at a surfact contaminant problem is clay bar with generous application of lube.

Thanks,
Richard

[tiggerfink]

I recommend this clay and lube. It did a great job on my wood console.

http://www.topoftheline.com/claysapovrem.html

[Iron Annie]

There's a liquid wax made by "The Wax Shop" which does a bang-up good job on removing tree sap, old bug mess and whatever nasty things you find on you car.
You can find it at Pep Boys or most auto places.

[marlinspike]

If it's those little specs (i.e. not sap gobs) use P21S gloss enhancing paintwork cleanser and follow with wax. Clay works too, but IMHO is too abrasive.

[dolebludger]

Richard:

You know, I don't think clay is abrasive at all WHEN NEW. And if we use a generous amount of lube, there should be no problem with abrasive scratching.

But as we use and re-fold that clay use after use for particle removal, where do those particles go? Into the clay, I fear, and THEN the clay becomes abrasive.

For those of us who use clay, I think it is something that needs to be thrown away and replaced every few months. Though not ORIGINALLY abrasive, I think it becomes so with repeated use.

Thanks,
Richard

[marlinspike]

Hmmm, I shouldn't have said abrasive...it just has a stripping quality that I don't like. To me, anything that can remove overyspray shouldn't be used on paint regularly.

[vince]

Richard is spot on about rubbing alcohol. Two of our cars were covered with dried pine sap after Hurricane Isabel. I took all the sap off with a cotton ball soaked with rubbing alcohol. Easy, fast, harmless. Clay is good if the sap has really hardened - I mean months of hardening - not days.

[dolebludger]

Well, one of the things I am is a horticulturalist. Sap from different species of trees creates different problems on auto paint finish. For instance, sap from most birch trees is so liquid and "runny" it just washes off no matter how long left on. Some Oaks and Elms produce very small sap particles that dry very hard quickly. These clay bar off easilly.

Pine sap is a whole different problem. It falls on your car in 1/4" globs, and never completely dries. In the past, mariners used "pine pitch" (same stuff) to seal their boats and ships. Pine sap on your car for a year stil has enough "flex" and "stick" to be immune from clay. For this, alcohol is the only answer, and it is a good and quick one.

Best advice is that if you live in a "pine grove" garage or cover your car. Otherwise, buy denatured or rubing alcohol by the gallon!

Thanks,
Richard

[D.L. SWINFORD]

As your moderater; I don't have all of the answers but my partner moderater said it like it is.
Use it and then throw it away.
Finish it with Macs yellow stuff.

Happy Trails Beep Beep from The Spiderman on the Gulf Coast, Don :p :p :p