Tree Sap

[Vangogh]

Hi
My wife has parked her C180 under some trees. It now has blobs of tree sap over it! These have now hardened in the sun. Any ideas about removing it. I have tried white spirit which works, but is it doing any lasting damage to the paint work?
Vangogh
1998 SLK230
2001 C180 (Mr. Blobby)

 

[Unleashed]

If the car is metallic, the white spirit will take the lacquer off. You'll need to get a tin of clear lacquer and just give it a spray of 3 or 4 coats over the top where you've taken it off.

But as to getting the sap off, I'm afraid I really have no idea... sorry!

 

[RSMike]

White Spirit definetly sound too hard, try something like turtle wax, it surprisingle gets a lot off with a bit of elbow grease and is a lot easier on the paintwork

 

[woodturner-fran]

The Autoglym brand carry a product that is called "motorcycle visor cleaner" and will almost undoubtedly do the trick. Needless to say try it out on a small area first etc etc etc. all the motor factors have it

for anyone who is intersted.... never park under Lime (linden) trees in summer. The leaves carry a kind of aphid that craps down a gluey gooey excretion constantly. From your description that is what happened here!

Long soaking with a suitable detergent/water should do the trick too try do it on a dull day, out of hot sunlight to stop the detergent drying off to quick. The goo should be softened enough to get it off with a little elbow grease.

FWIW, Can someone clarify the position on using white spirit? I thought that the lacquer was cellulose based and only cellulose thinners would damage the paintwork. I didn;t think white spirit would damage the lacquer - if it did then surely petrol would damage it too?

Fran

 

[Myros]

Autoglym Tar remover does it as well

I managed to creosote the car as well as the fence once, a little elbow grease with the tar remover and back to normal. It does take off the wax though, so a refinish with resin polish was on the cards.

 

[Vangogh]

Hi Guys
Thanks for the replies. Autoglym Tar Remover did the trick. But quite rightly I had to wax the car afterwards. So Mr Blobby is no more, and the wife has been told to keep away from trees
Vangogh