How to Remove Tree Sap From Your Car

Every holiday has its drawbacks. At Halloween, it's broken, rotting pumpkins on the streets; at Fourth of July, it's firecrackers that scare the cats. At Christmas, it's that sticky, smelly stuff that oozes out of trees. Here's how to clean up your car when you get home from the tree lot.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Gather together a soft rag (an old T-shirt is perfect) and a sap-dissolving solution. You can use a commercially prepared solution designed specifically for this task ("Bug, Asphalt, and Tree Sap Remover" is how one brand denotes it) or mineral spirits or paint thinner.

2. Pour a bit of your sap-dissolving solution onto the rag. Hold it against the sap for a moment, then dab and rub gently, turning the rag as you go to wipe the sap off.

3. Repeat if necessary.

4. Wash and wax your car as usual.

Tips & Warnings

• Scrubbing with an abrasive cleanser will remove sap most of the time, and it's tempting if you don't have a solvent in the house - but restrain yourself unless your car is so old it doesn't matter.
• Anything strong enough to dissolve tree sap is toxic - you may want to wear gloves while you clean and you'll certainly want to store the solution out of reach of children and pets.

[xXCarlyXx]

on 12/22/2008 Thank God there is a way to do this. This stuff has been stuck on my car for a little over a month. It is freezing outside so its hard to get out there and get it off. I will try this method as soon as it warms up a but outside. Thanks!

[txskid]

on 10/28/2008 Can you use the same method for getting pine cone sap off your car seats?

[jkinney]

on 8/30/2008 I only had a small amount of sap on my car, the ice theory seemed logical. I'm a little leary of chemicals on my car that remove paint. I got an ice cube and rubbed it over the sap and used my finger nail to scrape it off, it worked like a charm!!!!

[toolads]

on 11/12/2007 Save your money and elbow grease. All pine tars and saps are water soluble but need help. Boil a pan of water on the stove and pour it on the sap. Fresh sap should wash away almost instantly. A drop or two of dishwasher detergent in the water also helps. Older, hardened sap may take couple of rinses and some rubbing with damp rag or leave the damp rag over the spot(s) for a while. Remember, dirt, dust and pollen can stick to the sap, so rub gently on the hardened spots to avoid scratching while constantly flushing with a hose. Any stains in the finish can be removed with white rubbing compound or a good paste auto wax. If you must try a chemical remover, then use charcoal grill starting fluid...same as bug and tar remover but a lot cheaper. Lastly, best long term insurance is always keep a good coat of wax on the finish. Good Luck

[gwmusic117]

on 11/10/2007 I used nail polish remover on a couple of paper towels,came off the paint immediately!! No need to rub hard,wax the spot right after and your done!