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.