I have 5 year old tree sap baked into my paint.

Breanna · 07-07-2007, 09:05 PM

I've tried everything i can think of to get it off
I've tried adhesive remover
Bug & tar remover
Pressure washing & just good old fashioned scrubbing.
Does anyone have any better advice?

Enthalpy · 07-07-2007, 09:25 PM

Clay Bar. I had the same issue, and clay bar-ing the paint removed it beautifully! Make sure you use the spray as well.

Gairloch · 07-07-2007, 09:43 PM

Clay bar!

And while you're at it use a paint cleaner then a good polish and wax. I'm a fan of the MeGuiar`s Deep Crystal system for an inexpensive solution. You should be able to find it at pretty much any parts store.

Davis · 07-07-2007, 09:46 PM

^ Agreed, the meguiars paint system cleaner is wonderful!

Breanna · 07-09-2007, 12:19 AM

I tried Clay bar

Didn't do a whole lot of anything except make the paint around the baked tree sap look better.

It's on there really really really well.

Gairloch · 07-09-2007, 02:00 AM

Found an article on removing tree sap that seems pretty good. There's user feed back under the article that has further suggestions.

http://www.ehow.com/how_10396_remove-tree-sap.html

In short, it suggests using mineral oil, paint thinner, fingernail polish remover or plain old rubbing alcohol. I imagine that the specific composition of the tree sap on your car might make one of these things more effective than the others.

Anyone have any feedback on how these things might affect paint?

PHOENIX · 07-09-2007, 02:05 AM

I would wetsand it out and then buff. But be carefull, you don't want to go too deep at all or you'll have to paint it.

^ As far as those chemicals, i personnally wouldn't use it on a car, only because i think the results will vary from one car to the next and how much you use. I would be skeptical on anything that could easily ruin the paint if carefull attention was not given to it in all steps of the process.

o6spdracer · 07-09-2007, 02:46 AM

I use gasoline to get sap off. I put some on a paper towel and rub it until the was comes off. Very effective. But make sure you wash and wax right after you use it.

Breanna · 07-10-2007, 07:21 PM

Laquor thinner actually worked to get one spot off so i'm going to try it on the whole car & then quickly wash & wax it.

I'm so glad i found something that worked i was begining to lose hope on having decent looking paint.

Gasoline eh?
I would have never thought of that!

bayou2 · 07-11-2007, 06:44 PM

a medium cut to fine cut compound should take care of sap

Gairloch · 07-12-2007, 07:20 PM

Gasoline is one of the best cleaners out there!

TreyMR2 · 07-14-2007, 12:36 AM

paint thiner is what I use just do what everyone else said and wash it off when you done.

PETC · 07-14-2007, 04:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gairloch

Gasoline is one of the best cleaners out there!

It's true! lol

CyFi · 07-15-2007, 02:17 PM

i heard wd40 works also

shimric · 07-15-2007, 11:18 PM

I had the same problem. I used a blade to get it off. But I'm an expert with those.....

not really helpful advice but still.

TreyMR2 · 07-15-2007, 11:42 PM

gasoline will also get burnt rubber off you paint. lighter fluid works to.

GR8MR2 · 09-09-2007, 09:49 PM

Dupont Prepsol is excellent for this. It's a body solvent. You wipe it on and let it set for 5-10 minutes to soften the sap and wipe off with a microfiber. Wash, polish and wax when done.

Breanna · 10-09-2007, 06:39 PM

Where can i buy this?

GR8MR2 · 10-09-2007, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breanna

Where can i buy this?

Hi Brea,

You can find Prepsol at a local Body Shop and Equipment supplier. The smallest it comes in is one gallon sizes. It will last indefinitely so it won't go to waste. If you talk nice to someone who runs a body shop you might talk him out of a smaller bottle. This stuff is not all that expensive so you might just try hitting a few body shops and see if you can batt your eyes at one of the refinishers.

If you strike out on the Prepsol you can always order the Meguiar's Body Solvent. This stuff works almost as good and is available here. This product just takes a bit longer to work.

Meguiar’s Body Solvent, 1 Gallon, removes tar, wax, and stubborn grime from exterior car surfaces. Concentrated cleaner safe on exterior surfaces.

Either of these products are just about the best degreasers you can buy. They will remove road grime and wax or sealant and do not damage the paint.

Ryansmagic · 10-11-2007, 12:31 AM

guys, go old school, Coca-Cola...works great.....

07-07-2007, 09:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Breanna Massive amounts of skill Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 52 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I have 5 year old tree sap baked into my paint. I've tried everything i can think of to get it off I've tried adhesive remover Bug & tar remover Pressure washing & just good old fashioned scrubbing. Does anyone have any better advice?

07-07-2007, 09:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 4,894 Thanks: 127 Thanked 258 Times in 228 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	Clay bar! And while you're at it use a paint cleaner then a good polish and wax. I'm a fan of the MeGuiar`s Deep Crystal system for an inexpensive solution. You should be able to find it at pretty much any parts store. __________________ "Inside the car, the world beyond the driver's immediate horizon ceases to exist. Alone with the solitude of his desire, survival sense numbed by the speed, he's outrun the mediocrity of the outside world, slipped the shackles it tries to clamp on us all. He is running free, chased only by a fear of failure, for failure is to risk ejection into the real world." ~Mark Hughes

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Toyota MR2 Message Board	This thread	Refback	09-09-2007 10:27 PM

07-07-2007, 09:25 PM	#2 (permalink)
Enthalpy EMS Harmonizer Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,219 Thanks: 8 Thanked 54 Times in 42 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Clay Bar. I had the same issue, and clay bar-ing the paint removed it beautifully! Make sure you use the spray as well.

07-07-2007, 09:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Davis Radical Dreamer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Long Beach, California Posts: 4,021 Thanks: 85 Thanked 107 Times in 97 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	^ Agreed, the meguiars paint system cleaner is wonderful!

07-09-2007, 12:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
Breanna Massive amounts of skill Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 52 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I tried Clay bar Didn't do a whole lot of anything except make the paint around the baked tree sap look better. It's on there really really really well.

07-09-2007, 02:00 AM	#6 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 4,894 Thanks: 127 Thanked 258 Times in 228 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	Found an article on removing tree sap that seems pretty good. There's user feed back under the article that has further suggestions. http://www.ehow.com/how_10396_remove-tree-sap.html In short, it suggests using mineral oil, paint thinner, fingernail polish remover or plain old rubbing alcohol. I imagine that the specific composition of the tree sap on your car might make one of these things more effective than the others. Anyone have any feedback on how these things might affect paint?

07-09-2007, 02:05 AM	#7 (permalink)
PHOENIX Beams Owners Group Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: On Hiatus....... Posts: 8,339 Thanks: 88 Thanked 275 Times in 211 Posts Blog Entries: 1 My Google Map iTrader Rating: (46/100% )	I would wetsand it out and then buff. But be carefull, you don't want to go too deep at all or you'll have to paint it. ^ As far as those chemicals, i personnally wouldn't use it on a car, only because i think the results will vary from one car to the next and how much you use. I would be skeptical on anything that could easily ruin the paint if carefull attention was not given to it in all steps of the process.

07-09-2007, 02:46 AM	#8 (permalink)
o6spdracer Nothing Clever Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 2,056 Thanks: 1 Thanked 105 Times in 100 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	I use gasoline to get sap off. I put some on a paper towel and rub it until the was comes off. Very effective. But make sure you wash and wax right after you use it.

07-10-2007, 07:21 PM	#9 (permalink)
Breanna Massive amounts of skill Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 52 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Laquor thinner actually worked to get one spot off so i'm going to try it on the whole car & then quickly wash & wax it. I'm so glad i found something that worked i was begining to lose hope on having decent looking paint. Gasoline eh? I would have never thought of that!

07-11-2007, 06:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
bayou2 Some Skills Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Orleans Posts: 57 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 7 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	a medium cut to fine cut compound should take care of sap

07-12-2007, 07:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Gairloch Dreaming of apexes Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 4,894 Thanks: 127 Thanked 258 Times in 228 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (7/100% )	Gasoline is one of the best cleaners out there!

07-14-2007, 12:36 AM	#12 (permalink)
TreyMR2 Gen3 swap DONE!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,517 Thanks: 30 Thanked 60 Times in 58 Posts iTrader Rating: (10/100% )	paint thiner is what I use just do what everyone else said and wash it off when you done.

07-15-2007, 02:17 PM	#14 (permalink)
CyFi Shoulda put a ring on it Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Phoenix Posts: 1,398 Thanks: 12 Thanked 38 Times in 35 Posts iTrader Rating: (11/100% )	i heard wd40 works also

07-15-2007, 11:18 PM	#15 (permalink)
shimric Führer of OT!!! Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,421 Thanks: 40 Thanked 45 Times in 38 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	I had the same problem. I used a blade to get it off. But I'm an expert with those..... not really helpful advice but still.

07-15-2007, 11:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
TreyMR2 Gen3 swap DONE!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,517 Thanks: 30 Thanked 60 Times in 58 Posts iTrader Rating: (10/100% )	gasoline will also get burnt rubber off you paint. lighter fluid works to.

09-09-2007, 09:49 PM	#17 (permalink)
GR8MR2 MR2 owner since 1990 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Wisconsin/Florida Posts: 53 Thanks: 2 Thanked 21 Times in 12 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Dupont Prepsol is excellent for this. It's a body solvent. You wipe it on and let it set for 5-10 minutes to soften the sap and wipe off with a microfiber. Wash, polish and wax when done.

10-09-2007, 06:39 PM	#18 (permalink)
Breanna Massive amounts of skill Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Washington Posts: 52 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	Where can i buy this?

10-11-2007, 12:31 AM	#20 (permalink)
Ryansmagic No Skills Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 111 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts iTrader Rating: (4/100% )	guys, go old school, Coca-Cola...works great.....