Tree Sap Etching Removal

[zey]

Hi all, today I found out a small patch of tree sap on the body (0.5" in diameter). I think it was left to bake under the sun for the whole morning, and when I found out, it's already in the evening. I tried to remove it, and it left quite bad etching on the paintwork.

Firstly, I tried to use foam pad with Scratch-X to remove it. After the first 4 applications, it improved abit, but still I could see deep etching. And after I've applied the 10th round, it improved just abit. Secondly, I took out my ROB, use it with W-8006 pad and #83. I applied 4 rounds of it (2 minutes each round) and it managed to remove 90% of the blemish. Now, it will take me a little bit of effort in order to spot the blemish. May I know, can it be removed completely if I use a rotary, with wool pad and #83?

Thanks!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Tree Sap Etching Removal

Originally posted by zey
May I know, can it be removed completely if I use a rotary, with wool pad and #83?

Thanks!

Hi zey,

It's possible that you could completely remove it with a rotary buffer using a wool pad and some #83 DACP, but often times you are better off to improve the defect, (like you did), to the point where it is barely noticeable and live with it.

The reason for this is because all of your UV protection is in your clear coat. The more clear coat you remove, the thinner you clear coat will be and the less UV protection you will have remaining for the duration of time you own you car.

Modern clear coats are on average only 2 mills thick, this isn't very much film build to work with. Its a decision you have to make for yourself, chance are good you can completely remove the etching without going all the way through the clear coat and exposing the base coat, but if you can improve the defect to the point that it is barely visible, you might be better off in the long run to live with it, versus attempt to completely remove it.

Good luck...

Mike

[RamAirV1]

Good advice from Mike. With all the things assaulting our paint finishes, it is virtually impossible to completely remove all paint defects.

You may want to try a few more applications of 83 with the PC and a yellow pad. I find that it takes about 6 applications of MPPC with the PC to remove severe bird dropping etch marks. So with #83 it may take only 3 or 4.


For some reason, tree sap was a huge problem for me this year. The trick with tree sap is to get it off the paint as soon as possible. Normally if you can get it the same day with a QD, you won't have to clay.

RamAirV1

[rusty bumper]

Re: Tree Sap Etching Removal

Originally posted by zey
Hi all, today I found out a small patch of tree sap on the body (0.5" in diameter). I think it was left to bake under the sun for the whole morning, and when I found out, it's already in the evening. I tried to remove it, and it left quite bad etching on the paintwork.

Firstly, I tried to use foam pad with Scratch-X to remove it. After the first 4 applications, it improved abit, but still I could see deep etching. And after I've applied the 10th round, it improved just abit. Secondly, I took out my ROB, use it with W-8006 pad and #83. I applied 4 rounds of it (2 minutes each round) and it managed to remove 90% of the blemish. Now, it will take me a little bit of effort in order to spot the blemish. May I know, can it be removed completely if I use a rotary, with wool pad and #83?

Thanks!

Next time, try using alcohol on the tree sap, as it will dissolve the sap without damaging the finish.