removing glue/tree sap from bonnet

[SprintKing]

ive encountered some kind of sap or glue that has attatched itself to the bonnet on one of my clients cars. It seems to of hardened in the sun and i dont think claying the area would help much. Are there any suggestion you guys could throw at me ?
Heres the offender below .....

[Mike Phillips]

This is kind of rudimentary, but can you chip it off with your fingernail?

Mike

[SprintKing]

unfortunately i cant - i feels as though i might remove more than what i want if i used unwanted force ... i was hoping a chemical of some kind might weaken the connection to the paint .... would a bug and tar provide as a good start?

[paulSC]

I'm new here but have had dried sap on my car before. I found something that works perfect. My brothers friend owns a tree farm place and gets sap and stuff on his car all the time. All he does is uses a little bit of 'Skin So Soft' I think it's made by Avon. I just let it sit on the sap for few minutes and you should be able to scrape it off with no problem. Always worked for me, just my opinion. It never effected my paint, but I can't speak for any other paint since I'm not an expert.

paul

[Mike Phillips]

Meguiar's makes a bug and tar remover that you can try, but this sap you're trying to remove sounds like it's pretty set-up.

Someone on our forum recommended Isopropyl Alcohol but I've never tried this.

Lot's and lots of water to soften it and the wash with a mitt and soap might work.

Mike

[SprintKing]

thanks guys
my next visit is in 3weeks
i'll take a various array of chemicals to start with & take some happy snaps along the way .... hopefully if i suceed i can help some1 else with this unfortunate situation. Thanks for the prompt replies

[RickRS]

When all else fails try ScratchX.

If the sap has harden and will not soften up with other approaches, ScratchX can be used to grind off the spot. Do be prepared, the paint may be badly damaged underneath the sap if it has been there for a while.

[Bird03]

I've had good luck with soaking a towel in hot water then leaving it on the spot for about twenty minutes. After that an application of Bug and Tar remover. If it's not gone after that then go to the Scratch-X.

Remember to re-wax the spot when you're done.

Wes

[JG_Detailing]

If I had a bonnet that had sap on it I would just throw it away. And get another one. I wouldn't want to take a chance of getting scratches on the paint.

[JeepZJlover]

What about soaking it realy good with wd-40

[SpoiledMan]

I detailed a car yesterday for my niece that has been in the family for the last 9 years or so. It had some tree sap on it that had been there for about as many years. A cotton swab SOAKED in alcohol was placed on each spot and left to soak for 10 minutes. The sap was pretty easy to remove using the cotton swab at that point. This was 16 year old single stage black paint.

[TOGWT]

Tree Resin (Sap):
(Appears like a dark brown/ red coloured surface mark) some of the most common resinous tree sap types are: White Pine, Maple, Oak, Popular, and Blue Spruce, none of which are water soluble, the acidic content of the sap will etch the paint surface, causing a concave surface. These can be removed by using detailer's clay to remove any hardened surface deposits and then using a machine polish and a cutting foam pad (speed # 4) to level the surface, reapply surface protection once spots have been removed (to remove sap etching from glass see Water Spots)

Factors as to the amount of time it takes to remove sap and what damage it has caused are dependent on temperature and time the sap has been on the paint surface. Be careful and take your time removing it, remember always let the products do the work for you.

Tree sap that is still soft can be removed by soaking with Isopropyl Alcohol (or Stoner’s Terminator) wet the area with the product and allow it to remain on the surface for 3-5 minutes, then wipe with soft dry towel.
For tree sap that has hardened, carefully scrape the top of the spot off with a plastic razor blade to expose the softer sap inside.

Soak a towel with the solvent placing it over the sap and let soak for 10-minutes, repeat in order for the solvents to break down the sap, once its removed re-apply sealant / wax protection of your choice Some saps will lift and crack the paint, this damage will require refinishing

Turpentine is made from tree resins, in severe cases it can be used to break down the resin in tree sap, use as a last resort only and use sparingly and do not rub hard and give it some time to work.

JonM

[Mike Phillips]

Very informative Jon, thank you for posting this.



Mike

[RickRS]

Originally posted by chevyman2001
If I had a bonnet that had sap on it I would just throw it away. And get another one. I wouldn't want to take a chance of getting scratches on the paint.

"Bonnet" is tje Queen's English for what we American call the hood. Or is it the top?

[SprintKing]

Originally posted by RickRS
"Bonnet" is tje Queen's English for what we American call the hood. Or is it the top?

yep its the hood alright - i've got an appointment with this car again in 7 day so i'll be keen to try out some of the methods you guys have shared and hopefully give a successful story