Removing tree sap off the hood & roof

[Rubble]

The latest truck I got was parked under trees & sap dripped onto it. I have tried dish soap & then citrol but not much luck.The black sap really shows up on a white truck! Any ideas??? Thanx.
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[GM-power]

Use peanut butter. Put a little on your fingers, rub it for a bit and then let it sit for awhile. That should get it off.
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[LONGHAIR]

I would start with mineral spirits. This will get most of it pretty quickly. Then follow up with a clay bar. That will get all of what's left. If you only had a little bit, the clay bar would do it, but you would ruin it with too much contamination.

[dieseldawg142]

being in the roofing industry, we get tar & different kinds of bitumen all over our trucks, same sticky consistency of sap. if you go to a roofing supplier, you can get "Trim S", made to take tar off ANYTHING, & leaves no stains. i have used this stuff to take tar out of carpet with no staining. have also used good 'ol WD40 without any damage to paint either

[Rubble]

Thanks for all the suggestions,going out to shop in a bit and try them.Will post results later.
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[mrolds88]

Several suggestions. Dawn dish soap and soft but stiff sponge and if you have Dollar Tree stores up there they sell a cleaner called Awesome. Comes in squirt bottle and works well for everything I have tried to remove. Had a Camaro one time, was white and had been parked under a maple tree for a long time. Cleaned up real well with the Dawn. Only bad part it was February and snowing outside. That was cold!!

[speedmachine]

wd40 x2

[MalibuSSwagon]

Rubbing alcohol, it will soften the sap right off

[weaintscared]

WD-40 is all I use,,works on that & removes tar too.
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[Hertzdaddy]

Originally Posted by MalibuSSwagon

Rubbing alcohol, it will soften the sap right off

X2. I used a 50/50 mix with water. You may need full strength. Wax afterwards.
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Edit: Actually it was denatured alcohol like you get at the hardware store.

[PAWS 72]

Originally Posted by speedmachine

wd40 x2

Now I find out.

[Rubble]

Tried WD40,peanut butter,solvent,citrol but not any luck.I forgot to say in my first post too,this truck sat in the trees for about 7-8 years so it's had a long time to soak in...Will try a few more of the ideas here,thank again
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[bigd65]

Try Maguires CLEANER WAX !!!!
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[bilfman]

I assume you are meaning the dryish black tree staining. If it is old you may have to use a buffer and a light rubbing compound, followed by a polish.

[ont_guy_38]

White truck...Black sap...7-8 years, Bifman has the right idea, but even then, it might possibly not all come out.

[Rubble]

Ya,sorry guys.I wasn't clear enough.Yes it's the dry black sap,not fresh green stuff.On a white truck,it really shows up eh....
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[rs72z]

Single edge razor blade and be very careful. Only use one side of the blade and if you drop it chunk it.

[Rubble]

Will try some more of your suggestions,thanx again eh.....
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[76C10Stepside]

Goop hand cleaner works great for most glues and such. My son just removed chewing gum from a car with it today, worked great. Regular old vegetable oil is another one (it's the oil in peanut butter that does the work). Let the oil soak in overnight. Since the sap is so old, it has dried out and hardened. Vegetable oil is the cheapest and won't harm the paint.

[1774btcrew]

I would strongly suggest AGAINST using a razor blade. I am a pefectionist and it is still easy to nick the paint. You can get a plastic razor blade and most automotive paint stores or use a plastic putty knife if you want to try and scrape it off. NEVER use something metal to scrape on a painted surface you want to preserve. I would use the Trim S like dieseldawg suggested. If anyone should know about removing tar it is a roofer!

[Raised On Chevy!]

I own an Auto Body shop and we also do auto detailing, all we have ever used is gas line antifreeze. It softens it but I'm not sure about something that old.
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[Rubble]

Originally Posted by 1774btcrew

I would strongly suggest AGAINST using a razor blade. I am a pefectionist and it is still easy to nick the paint. You can get a plastic razor blade and most automotive paint stores or use a plastic putty knife if you want to try and scrape it off. NEVER use something metal to scrape on a painted surface you want to preserve. I would use the Trim S like dieseldawg suggested. If anyone should know about removing tar it is a roofer!

Ya,I guess in his defense,I didn't clarify that the sap was the black stuff & was 6-8 years old too.And yes they should know about removing tar eh!!
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