How to Remove Sap Stains From Car Paint
Most of us have experienced the misfortune of parking our car under a tree that drips sap. The next morning, your paint job has hardened spots on it that you can't wash off. Sap is often harder to remove than tar and the longer it sits on the car finish, the more difficult it can be to remove, unless you use the right solvent.
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Instructions
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Soak a small section of terry cloth with mineral spirits and apply the soaked fabric to the sap.
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Allow the mineral spirits to dissolve and dislodge the sap until the sap easily slides off or dissolves completely.
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Wash your car well and rewax after removing the sap. Solvents will often dissolve car wax along with the sap. (Mineral spirits will also remove tar.)
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Tips & Warnings
When applying a solvent to your car finish, try not to rub in circles. The solvent and any dirt or grit caught up on the rag can leave tiny scratches and rubbing in circles actually causes a scratch haze. Try to apply the solvent and press lightly, allowing time for the solvent to reduce the sap. As the solvent evaporates, it is okay to resoak a rag and allow it to sit on a hardened spot two or three times. Just clean the car thoroughly afterwards and when possible make your final rinse with distilled water. Then dry the car by hand immediately. Distilled water will not leave mineral spots. In this way, when you apply the car wax the underlying finish will be as clean and free of spots as possible.
