How to Get Sap Off a Car: Expert Tips

There are few scenarios more precarious than a car parked under a tree in early spring. You not only have to be concerned about bird poop when parking under a canopy, but you also have to worry about drops of sap damaging your car’s paint. (Believe us – it happens more frequently than you think!)

Although a little tree sap on your vehicle doesn’t seem like the end of the world, it can quickly become problematic if left to dry. Left under a beating sun, tree sap on a car hardens like epoxy, and the longer it’s on a vehicle’s exterior, the more potential there is to strip away the paint and eat through the clear protective coat.

However, sap won’t mangle your vehicle’s paint overnight. If your car has just recently been the victim of a wicked maple tree, there’s still time to remedy the soon-to-be problem. Here are some tips to help you get rid of tree sap without ruining your car’s paint.

Before we begin, here’s a forewarning: cleaning tree sap off a car can be quite a difficult task, especially if it’s dry sap. It requires a lot of elbow grease, free time, and the right weather. If you aren’t in a position to complete this DIY project, you should consider visiting a local auto paint shop for professional assistance. Over and out.

Hand Wash ASAP

Need to know how to remove pine sap from a car without damaging paint? (At least you think it’s pine sap…) Automatic car washes are convenient, but they rarely help to clean old tree sap from your vehicle’s exterior. In fact, automated car washes may even make matters worse by spreading the sap around! A good hand-washing is the best way to get sap off a car , particularly if you’re able to take a sponge to your vehicle before the sap has a chance to dry.

1. To start, grab all your materials: a couple of buckets of hot water – the key to cleaning tree sap is hot water – a hose or power washer, sponges, carwash soap, and a microfiber cloth.
2. Next, park your vehicle somewhere shady (but not under a tree). Sun will prematurely dry water, leaving water stains and increasing the odds of being scratched.
3. Then, rinse your vehicle thoroughly, leaving no nook or cranny un-rinsed. If you choose to use a power washer, be sure the nozzle is put on a wider setting to ensure it won’t damage the paint.
4. Once the vehicle has been rinsed, scrub the sap and entire car with a clean sponge or washing mitt and soap. Again, hot water makes a big difference as heat helps soften any dry sap.
5. Rinse and repeat, literally, until the sap is no longer visible. You can use your fingernail to scratch away any leftovers.
6. Finally, dry the car completely and apply a strong coat of car wax. Polish it up for good measure.

Most people will find the hand-wash method successful, though you may need to take additional steps to remove stubborn tree goop on a car. Check out these other methods to get rid of sap:

Rubbing Alcohol or Mineral Spirits

1. Soak a clean cloth or rag – be sure it’s clean! – in mineral spirits or isopropyl rubbing alcohol* until thoroughly dampened.
2. Apply the soaked cloth directly to the tree sap, allowing it to sit for approximately 30 seconds. (Note: Alcohol can strip away auto paint and clear coats, so don’t leave the rag on your vehicle for too long.)
3. Check the sap – has it softened? Can you rub it off with the cloth? If not, repeat step 2. If the sap is more pliable, continue to step 3.
4. Gently wipe away the sap, using a circular “wax on, wax off” motion. If needed, pour a steady stream of piping-hot water directly on the tree sap for 15 seconds, then wipe any leftovers away.
5. Finally, rinse and wash the area with hot water and soap to remove any remnants of alcohol.

*Additionally, you can use hand sanitizer or another type of alcohol as a tree sap remover for cars.

Razor Blade

Wondering how to remove tree sap from a car if it’s really baked on and dried? A razor blade may be used, though it’s important to note that this could do more damage to your car paint! Proceed with caution!

1. First, loosen the sap by using a commercial product, rubbing alcohol, or an oil-based lubricant.
2. Grab a clean razor blade/utility knife* and very gently and safely attempt to scrape the sap off.
3. Slowly wiggle the blade underneath the sap, which will give yourself the opportunity to “peel” it away.
4. We can’t stress it enough – go very slowly! Any wrong move can strip away or leave a dark gouge in your paint, requiring you to visit an auto body shop for repairs.

*This is a last-resort method, as taking a sharp blade to your vehicle can seriously damage your car’s paint if done incorrectly. It’s a great method to remove tree sap from windshields and windows, but using a blade on your paint is risky.

WD-40

Did you know you can use WD-40 to remove sap from car paint? It really is a miracle cure-all!

1. Spray WD-40 directly on the sap stain and allow it to soak for 5 minutes.
2. Apply a wet cloth, soaked in hot water, on top for added penetration. (Optional)
3. Use the cloth to rub away the sap, repeating steps 1 and 2 as needed.
4. Once the sap is gone, wash the area with hot water and soap.

Cooking Oil

1. If the sap is fresh, you can coat it in non-toxic cooking oil, such as coconut oil or canola oil. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Apply a wet cloth, soaked in hot water, on top for added penetration. (Optional)
3. Wipe away the sap, repeating steps 1 and 2 as needed.
4. Finally, wash the area with hot water and soap.

Commercial Cleaners

1. Purchase a commercial cleaning or adhesive removal product that’s designed to help remove sticky substances. Goof Off, Goo Gone, Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover, and 3M™ Adhesive Remover are all good options, but there are numerous products that work well. (Feel free to ask us what the best sap removers for cars are!)
2. Follow the product’s directions for use, or apply the chemicals to a clean cloth and leave it on top of the sap for a few minutes.
3. Wipe away the sap and repeat step 2 as necessary.
4. Once the sap is a goner, wash the area with hot water and soap.

Baking Soda

1. Create a thick paste out of warm water and baking soda.
2. Cover the tree sap on your car with the paste, gently spreading it around without scratching the paint.
3. Allow this to sit for a few moments.
4. Pour a stream of boiling water over the top of the sap and baking soda.
5. Wipe the area down with a clean, damp rag.

Visit a Trusted Auto Paint Shop for Professional Sap Removal

How long does it take for tree sap to damage car paint? That all depends on the pitch or sap, the elements, sun exposure and how well you’ve protected your vehicle. You have at least a few days, if not weeks, to remove hardened sap from your vehicle without damaging paint. After that, all bets are off! Of course, if you simply can’t get rid of that tree sap or don’t want to run the risk of further damaging your vehicle’s paint job, your best bet may be to take a trip to a car body shop like our McCarthy Collision Centers in Kansas City. Professional technicians should be able to clean off the sap and re-paint any stripped-away areas in no time. Contact one of our auto paint shops in Missouri or Kansas to receive a free quote for repairs, and stop parking underneath trees, would ya?

Sources:

• https://googone.com/
• https://goofoffproducts.com
• https://www.3m.com/
• https://www.turtlewax.com/
• https://jalopnik.com/you-can-use-hand-sanitizer-to-remove-tree-sap-from-your-1778908321