Author Topic: How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?  (Read 935 times)

Offline GtoRA2

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« on: February 03, 2004, 07:49:31 PM »
My GF parks my truck under a pine tree and sap dripped all over it and dried.

This stuff is hard and I do not want to hurt the paint. Any ideas?

Offline Defiance

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #1 on: February 03, 2004, 07:54:29 PM »
Hiya,
I being in the uk have had similar probs in the past
I used lighter fuel (liguid not gas)

Used T-Cut afterwards n all was well

ps. lighter fuels great for spills on carpets n trodden thru tar/pitch on carpets etc also chewing gum

Just don't play with matchbox tank with firing mechanism and fire unlit matches or lit ones ;) as i did as a kid after soaking my plastic soldiers in the fuel lol
Ended up with a large blue/yellow flash allover parents living room and some molten plastic combatants  lol

Not to mention a singed capet i had to explain about

Offline Ripsnort

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #2 on: February 03, 2004, 07:56:37 PM »
A strong "car wash" cleaner soap, will remove the sap. Rewaxing is basically inevitable. There are 2 kinds of car wash soap...
(1) a Cleaner
(2) a mild detergent w' a wax product added in."Wash 'n Shine"
Wax must be reapplied after cleaner.

If that doesn't work try alcohol.(the rubbing kind, it won't hurt your paint)

Offline Chairboy

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #3 on: February 03, 2004, 08:03:48 PM »
Goo-Gone and Goof-Off also work.  I've used them to pull stuff off my bike and cars.
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Offline GtoRA2

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #4 on: February 03, 2004, 08:05:24 PM »
ok... This stuff is almost like hard gum bit I will give it a try.


Thanks guys


Whats T-cut?

Offline Ripsnort

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #5 on: February 03, 2004, 08:44:28 PM »
Quote
Originally posted by GtoRA2
ok... This stuff is almost like hard gum bit I will give it a try.


Thanks guys


Whats T-cut?


Hmm, maybe he's speaking of claybar.  I personally would do the following steps:
~Wash with Dawn liquid detergent, 1/4 cup to 2 gallons of water (this will also strip any wax, FYI)
~Remove as much as you can with alcohol.
~Claybar with liberal lubrication (no, not the Janet Jackson liberal lube)
~Rinse and dry thoroughly.
~Wax it.

A good coat of wax will prevent the sap from etching into the clear coat if it happens again.

Watch the goof-off or goo-gone, that will damage the clear coat if used in excess.
« Last Edit: February 03, 2004, 08:48:08 PM by Ripsnort »

Offline GtoRA2

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it is a 2002 chevy truck
« Reply #6 on: February 03, 2004, 09:06:04 PM »
do they put clear coats on them?

Offline capt. apathy

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #7 on: February 03, 2004, 10:38:44 PM »
yes they put clear-coat on every car finish I'm aware of.  I hope you've waxed it at some point before this incedent (rub-in buff-off, not the sprayed in with the automatic-car-wash).

goof-off or 'oops' (I prefer the oops brand but they are very simular) works well but like rip said it can also work as a solvent on the paint if your not careful.

wash it good to first and get as much as you can you want to use strong soap and try to wash the wax off and hopefully take the sap with it.  (again, as rip already mentioned dawn dish washing soap works pretty well, I preffer 'spic-n-span' or a simular floor cleaner. find one that says on the bottle 'removes wax build-up')

you can use the goof-off or oops on any that is left after washing.
don't squirt that stuff on your paint though, just put a rag over your finger-tip, put a little on the tip of your finger and lightly rub.  have another soapy wet rag ready and wash the spot as soon as you are done, those products are solvents and you don't want to leave them on the paint.  (btw- if left to long it can actually have an etching effect on your windshield)

the windshield glass ussually stays kinda streaky even after thouroughly cleaned.  sometimes it will look good dry but the sap marks show back up in the rain.  the best way I've found to get the sap (or anything else) off the glass strea-free, is to use tobacco.  just tear up a couple of cigs, dump it into the midle of a small cloth, add just enough water to get the tobacco wet, and scrub the window with the tobacco(the rag is just to hold the mess together).  I've found nothing that works better on glass.

Offline GtoRA2

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #8 on: February 03, 2004, 10:55:01 PM »
Cool thanks.

lol my poor truck.
 I am ashamed to admit it but I have only waxed it one time... heheh

Offline rpm

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #9 on: February 04, 2004, 12:05:13 AM »
Hand wash with Dawn dishsoap.
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Offline SaburoS

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #10 on: February 04, 2004, 04:02:26 AM »
Try Tar and Bug Remover. Follow the directions. Use a good wax for follow up as it'll take the old wax finish off. The harder (cured) the sap becomes, the harder to remove.
Good luck!
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Offline Furball

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #11 on: February 04, 2004, 05:10:32 AM »
T-cut is a kinda polish you rub into the paintwork, it takes off a tiny layer of the paintwork so it removes scratches, blemishes on the paint etc.

http://www.motormania.co.uk/product_details.asp?intDescID=261
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Offline Ripsnort

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #12 on: February 04, 2004, 07:30:30 AM »
^^ ah, polish ^^

Hey GTO, if you got to this link
it has everything you need in a  "starter kit" that costs only $59.95. It contains everything you need to professionally detail the finish, including Best of Show wax, Fine hand polish, Claybar, wheel cleaner, etc. Its a great bargain and it will restore the finish to show room condition.


Griots products wins alot of competitions, primarily the Ferrari Concours across the U.S.  I use it on all my vehicles.

Offline GtoRA2

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #13 on: February 04, 2004, 11:31:45 AM »
Thanks again guys!

This trucks paint took a beating, since it made about 70 trips to the dump in the first 2 months I owned it. I bought it, cause I needed truck to clean my dads condo out after he died.

I am not joking about the number of dump trips lol. 1100 sqaure foot condo with a 2 car garage.... imagine how much stuff he had packed in!

Offline Hawklore

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How to get dried tree sap off my damn truck?
« Reply #14 on: February 04, 2004, 11:49:22 AM »
Get a new girl friend...

I'll take her off your hands..
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Trouble no one about their religion;
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