Sap Removal, once and for all - Third Generation F-Body Message Boards

t/adreams · 06-25-2007, 04:16 PM

I parked under a tree that literally sprayed a film of sap ALL over my car. I read a ton of posts here that said to use WD40, Alcohol, Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover, etc. Finally, I read a post based on vinegar. I tried a ton of the solutions, but here is are my trials and errors and what finally worked for me.
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No. 7 Bug and Tar Remover- Sucked. Didn't do ANYTHING. Getting my money back.
Alcohol- very difficult to use, had a very tough time dissolving the sap.
WD40- worked okay, but removed wax, and I was worried about what else it'd do.
Concentrated car wash- I didn't like the idea, but I did it anyway. As always, it removed wax, spread the sap, but eventually got it out.
Water and vinegar- This was my ultimate solution. The diluted vinegar cut the sap like you wouldn't believe, and left the wax intact!

I took it one step further and made a cocktail that worked EXTREMELY well. 1 cup of vinegar, diluted into your usual car wash. I couldn't have asked for anything better. Where there was still wax, the wax remained, and all of the sap and the dirt accumulated washed off with ease!

RocsRose86 · 06-25-2007, 04:33 PM

I USAULLY USE LAQUER THINNER AND THEN GLAZE IT AGAIN WORKS FINE ...BUT IF THAT WORKS LOOKS LIKE I CAN TRY THAT INSTEAD....

87 formy · 06-25-2007, 04:43 PM

Yeah, I normally use the thinner on a rag technique too, but bye bye wax.

Pennocks91ws6 · 06-25-2007, 05:24 PM

i used a baby skin lotion,,, it worked better than paint stripper!

Pocket · 06-25-2007, 06:12 PM

Pepsi

50/50 mix in your wash bucket then wash the car again with normal soap and wax twice afterwards because you wont have any left

t/adreams · 06-25-2007, 09:42 PM

Wow, that loss of wax sucks.

With my cocktail, I didn't lose ANY at all, and it got out all of the sap.

The only re-waxing I did was where I tried everything else, lol!

Bull · 06-26-2007, 08:53 AM

Clay detailing bars can also remove sap, as well as deep-clean the rest of the paint.

mnwildpunk · 09-09-2009, 11:03 PM

my car that I bought sat under a tree for 8 years I have a ton of sap on my car in big globs I'll have to try this. the thing I worry about is getting the sap off the glass

WSX123 · 09-09-2009, 11:07 PM

I used gas it worked pretty good and kind of solvent will work

mnwildpunk · 09-09-2009, 11:16 PM

I read on the bug and tar remover you can buy it warns not to use it on glass!! I like the idea of vinegar I hope that won't cloud the glass in any way shape or form LOL