Midian

I guess this is sort of a delurk, so first of all, “hi there”. This is a very informative board mixed in with a lot of entertaining content. My thanks to those who make this possible.

Does any one have any suggestions on how to remove tree sap or sticky pods from paint? My poor IS300 sits directly under the line of fire from a tree that spews horrible sticky pods coated in a sap. I have tried every sap remover you can imagine: 3M, Turtle Wax, and others. However, the sap is nearly impossible to get off. Does any one have any suggestions?

- Midian

Daddy-O

Removing tree sap from a car's finish can be difficult, depending
on how long it has been allowed to sit on the finish.

Denatured alcohol, anhydrous isopropyl alcohol or mineral spirits
may dissolve the sap.

Try Meguiar's ScratchX, followed by the solvents mentioned above.

You might try a detailing clay kit, such as Mothers or Clay Magic.
Maybe even in conjunction with the solvents mentioned above.

You might try a citrus based solvent such as Xenit.

All of the procedures above will also remove any wax or sealant
finish on your Lexus.

You will need to re-wax your Lex...or at least spot wax it where
you have applied a treatment mentioned above. If time is an
issue, you may be able to get away with a spray detailer/wax
that contains wax, like Pinnacle Crystal Mist, Meguiar's Quik Wax
or Eagle One Wet Spray Wax.

Midian, fix it and please, park your Lexus elsewhere. Good Luck.

Midian

Paddy Wagon,

Thanks for the suggestions. I must have been living in a cave, because I had never head of clay bars for auto detailing before. Denatured alcohol is a great idea too. I have tried most of the others you suggested though.

Unfortunately, I live in a crowded city area and have no other parking alternatives. To add insult to injury, I pay $50 a month to park under the horrid tree as it is! However, I have a system of sorts to help keep the sap off. Basically, I have two car covers that I rotate. The car never sits exposed under the tree for even a minute, yet the darn sap still gets on the paint. I just can’t win.

Currently, I hit fresh sap with really hot water to melt most of it off. Next, I will use a cleaner, polish, and wax. However, this methodology only works with fresh sap. Thus, I am looking for a better solution. Ideally, I would like to find a product to prevent the sap from sticking in the first place. From there I need a more effective product to get the sap off. If any one has any suggestions on how to cope with this loosing battle, please let me know. I would really be grateful.

- Midian

Daddy-O

Trees are no problem, where I come from...

RON430

Paddy's got the best solution. I fought this with a River Birch but fortunately I could park away from it. I am still convinced that Zaino somewhat complicated the problem as I have never seen anything stick to a car protectant the way that birch sap stuck to the Zaino. I tried everything including polishing. Zaino recommended the isopropyl alcohol. Nothing worked immediately and the best I could to was slowly work it off, chemically and mechanically. Wound up using isopropyl and 3M adhesive remover and still polishing. Clay wouldn't touch it. If I couldn't move where the car was parked, I'd go for an open airy look to landscaping...

Daddy-O

Oh, I forgot...Crowded city area for Midian...

Let's get alternative...An axe or a hatchet,
depending, of course, on the size of the tree.

I vote chainsaw.

If you feel guilty, make a donation to
the National Arbor Day Foundation.

http://www.arborday.org

Cut and run!

SW03ES

Are you sure you have the right type of car cover?

Midian

Since the vehicle is parked outside in Seattle weather, the car cover must fit snug and not chafe. Thus, the factory Lexus cover seems to be the best choice. Is there another company that makes a better quality custom fit car cover?