What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

[VanCityWW]

Goo gone doesn't do anything, and I've even used a razor to nock down the higher spots, yet the sap won't go away. Has anyone ever tried steam? Would a heat gun or blow dryer work, or would it wreck the paint? Please let me know ideas... thanks

[The Guz]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

Have you tried a clay bar?

[RDVT4ME]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

I have the 1 gallon meguiars glass cleaner. I have soaked a terry towel in the concentrate and then let it sit on the sap for about 10 minutes....came right off.

[Joe Dragon]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

In addition to the above posts, the 'Search' button is often helpful:

http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/wet-sanding-cutting-buffing/76813-wetsanding-hard-tree-sap-marks.html

[Randmill]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

I have found that Goo Gone is rather over-rated and doesn't work well for much of anything. Is your sap heavy drops such as from pine trees, or is it more of a fine mist? I had the mist sap on my truck and the clay bar treatment did the trick for that. Perhaps larger pine sap drops would need something like a bug and tar remover to help break it down first, followed by a good wash and then a clay bar treatment.

[Hemin8r]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

How long has the sap been sitting on your paint?

[Meticulous-Detail]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

Alcohol will work well on sap. Don't do it in the sun, let it soak a bit, remove with a MF towel and then hit with polish and wax.

[jarred767]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

All good posts above - the fine misty stuff is relatively easy when using clay, I'm assuming it's the thicker stuff since you haven't had any luck with Goo Gone.

What Meticulous-Detail mentioned is right on. I use the Detailer Line glass cleaner concentrate too, as it's basically an alcohol, just don't do it in the sun! or on hot paint.

If you can get to it when it's cold or at least cooler, (like early morning) which should be cool enough even this time of year in Vancouver, lots of times they will chip almost almost completely off with your finger nail and leave little to no sign behind which can fairly easily be buffed out with some M105. Good luck man, that stuff isn't fun to work with

[BillE]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

What kinda trees?

If fir, pines or the like. give turpentine a go. Always worked for me when I lived in the Northwest.

Bill

[jfelbab]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

Drop by a body shop and ask nicely if they can spare a few ounces of Dupont Prepsol, a body solvent. I use this on sap and it removes it effortlessly, along with any previous wax or coatings. Prepsol stays wet for a long time, unlike alcohol which quickly evaporates, and dissolves sap easily.

[Natron]

Re: What to do about impossible tree sap. Steam?

91 percent IPA, dwell time, sharp plastic razor blades and patience. Nathan