Removing tree sap from clearcoat?

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I have some kind of tree sap on my clearcoat. It looks like tiny drops of glue and will not come off with everything I have tried. Any ideas? Thanks!

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99-24V-2500-Laramie-SLT-A/T-LSD-355
All Options except cab lights and carpet-Rino- Prime-Loc-Alcoa wheels-Lund cold front-Factory Tows-DSG Electronic Fast Idle-Mag-Hytec transmission Pan+Rear Diff. Cover Tekonsha Voyager VA CPC Rancho 9000-5000 steering stabalizer _ALASKA

 

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Terry, Goo Off or WD-40 works well. Be careful with the WD40. Try it on a discrete painted area first. I've used it on tar and it works really well with no damage. However, I saw a similar product with warnings about painted surfaces. Sounds like pine sap.

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2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, EGT/Boost Gauges, Running Boards, K&N,
Real Backup Lights

 

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Terry, I have what appears to be a little tree sap on my truck as well. At this point it has already dried and is now hard. A cleaner wax didn't even remove it. If the sap is hard and anything like whats on mine, I think clay magic might be in order. I'm going to try some and see how it works. I'll let you know how it goes.

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2000, 2500,QC,4x4,white,tow,leather,6 spd,4. 10, 4" exhaust - turbo back, K&N, Balls of steel hitch, line-x bedliner, Autometer Ultralite pyro and boost... wouldn't dare add anything to void that good ole DC warranty!

 

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Turbo Terry, have you tried one of the bug and tar removers? They can be purchased at any auto parts store.

If you want something that works even better (especially if the pitch/sap has been allowed to remain on the vehicle for some time) try Dupont Prep-Sol solvent (#3919-S). This is what is used prior to painting cars. This product WILL remove wax etc. however, it is harmless to clear coated surfaces. Another possiblity would be to try paint cleaning clay as offered by Geno's Garage and others. I use the paint cleaning clay from Griot's Garage ( www.griotsgarage.com ) ALONG WITH their Speed Shine. It works very well for removing most surface contaminents prior to waxing (although, I'm not sure about tree sap). Another product that WILL remove tree sap is 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner (#051135-08984). This WILL also remove the wax from your Ram where used. No clear coat damage with this product either. The 3M product can be purchased through Griot's Garage. Hope this helps. John

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, VDO Vision gauges, '00 Sport grille & valve cover, '00 Sport headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc, Bosch 275s, VA CPC, DD Boost Module, Banks Stinger wastegate actuator, ATS exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , BD V10/Cummins hybrid TC & valve body, BD trans. front pump & PressureLoc, Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

[This message has been edited by John (edited 07-31-2000). ]

 

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Clay Magic didn't take the tree sap or bird urine off my car. I tried several products and home-grown solutions until I tried the Goo-Off -- it works great. Only trouble is that you have to wash it again after you've used the Goo-Off. But no harm to the paint. Plus, keep it cool -- don't use it in the direct sunlight -- it just dries too fast and doesn't have any affect.


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1999 24v, NV4500HD, QC, 4x4, 3. 54, 8' Bed w/ Rhino Lining, 285/75R16s on 16x8 Eagles, 2" Skyjacker front lift, Glasstite topper, Racor LFS

 

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Have you tried mayonnaise? I haven't tried it on a vehicle, but it works great for getting sap off the floor. We use wood heat in the winter and we're always getting tree sap on the floor. Shouldn't harm the paint either.

T Smith.

 

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I use grease and wax remover from a body shop supply. Comes in a gallon can,they use it to prep for a paint job. Works good on sap. I know others that use kerosene with no problems.

 

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On the subject of bird droppings... if not removed almost IMMEDIATELY, IT WILL etch into the clearcoat! That's why I started carrying a small bottle of Griot's Garage Speed Shine and some of their disposable soft cotton wipers (normally used with their Chrome Polish). As I have a BLACK Ram, It's mandatory if you want the finish to remain nice.

 

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Clay magic is the best stuff I have ever came across, it removes almost anything.

 

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I know this might sound a little simplistic, but I got some tree sap on mine a couple of days after I picked it up. I went over to the self serve car wash the next day and the hot wash cycle took it right off.


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'01 2500 QC LB 2WD 6sp HO SLT+ leather 3. 54 ltd slp BLACK trailer tow and the all important cab lights. (for hauling motorcycles)

95 Freightliner FLD132 70" Condo 470 Detroit 13spd 3. 36 (to pay for motorcycles)
89 H-D FXRS, 99 Triumph 955i, 86 Suzuki GSXR750 ltd, 00 Aprillia SL1000

98 Yamaha YZF-R1(race), 95 Kawasaki ZX7(race)

 

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Careful! I do not know the diff between the clearcoat on our Dodges and the one on my girlfriend's Honda, but she tried picking the sap away with her fingernail and a chunk of the clearcoat the same size as the sap dropping came away with it!

D