jonmanch

If you are unfortunate enough to park under an evergreen or other tree that drips sap on your car and it hardens like amber, you can get it off with nail polish remover and a soft cloth. It comes right off. Make sure you dry the area with another soft cloth. Works like a charm.

Dave Mac

I hate tree sap but I would be very cautious using nail polish remover on my car - even the non acetone remover. Maybe warm water and car wash soap.

Dave Mac

jonmanch

My body shop operator uses paint thinner. He said nail polish remover is not as strong. He said tree sap is just sugars and that the polish remover and the paint thinner both work quickly and you don't leave them on to dry but quickly wipe them off. No damage to the paint.

bc6152

I wouldn't do acetone or any other nail polish remover. Remember you have a clear coat over the color. As Dave said use very warm water and some dish soap that is mild like Dawn or Palmolive. No detergent...

jonmanch

Didn't work. The sap was rock hard

lesz

Add me to the list of those who would not use nail polish remover on a vehicle finish.

About the most aggressive thing that I would consider using would be one of the bug and tar removal products intended for use on automotive finishes. And, even with those, as soon as I was done, I would be re-sealing the area that I worked on with a new coat of wax.

12jimmyjam

Rubbing alcohol helped me out when I bought an ES recently that had a monster drop of sap on the roof.

zmcgovern4

iTrader: (2)

Tree sap can be a nasty thing to deal with... especially if it has dried and hardened on your paint. The golden rule of any detailing task can also be applied to removing tree sap: Always use the least aggressive method first.

In this case, simply washing the car is the first step. While this rarely does any good at removing stubborn sap, it is the safest and easiest choice to start with.

Next, detailing clay would be a good option. Rather than spend hours trying to remove sap with clay, simply choose a small spot to test and see if it works. If so, proceed throughout the entire car.

If clay is not doing the trick, then a solvent is typically the best option. Chemical solvents such as nail polish remover, mineral spirits, paint thinner, and even gasoline are often used, but should be used with caution. In most instances they are OK to use when used properly, however damage may occur if you're not careful.

I would personally recommend a dedicated Bug & Tar or Adhesive Remover that was created specifically for automotive use. CarPro TarX and Stoner Tarminator are 2 great options.

-Zach

Starfire15

+1 for Tar X, great product!

Radio88

I have had sap a couple times on my truck and used plain HOT water and a terri rag and it came off pretty easy. It took a few refreshes with the hot water but it unstuck the sap. Of course sap is sugars, so it stands to reason. And my surface is always protected with good hard sealant. YMMV.

LeX2K

This is the best method I've tried it works better than the specialty products. As for acetone it can be used on some older paints but I wouldn't get it near the newer finishes.

Joe166

We get that a lot in South Florida and usually, a good car soap with warm water, repeated after letting it soak for a few minutes gets it off. On the few occasions that doesn't work, using Meguiars A1216 Cleaner wax does it. I don't know how, but it seems to have something in it that dissolves the tree sap.and just wipes it off. Not my sealant or wax of choice, but I keep a bottle around for this alone.