What works good for removing tree sap (pitch)?

**rocket** · 06-01-2006, 09:39 PM

I bought a new/used daily driver and i just noticed it has lots of small spots of very caked-on tree sap. It's dried on there like super glue. If i try "picking" it, it just pulls the paint off! Has anyone used or know of a product that really works?

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***fustercluck*** · 06-01-2006, 09:42 PM

Mineral spirits (paint thinner), acetone, lacquer thinner, finger nail polish, Goop, that gritty hand cleaner in the orange container.....

....and fire.

edit: if it has started breaking down the finish on the car, it's over. Time for a re-paint.

HUTCHSTACO · 06-01-2006, 09:44 PM

try a clay bar, gas if you want to risk it

4x4Lamm · 06-01-2006, 09:48 PM

Bug and tar remover from parts store of Wal-Mart. I have had good luch with the
Rain-X brand.

Lamm

HUTCHSTACO · 06-01-2006, 09:53 PM

i think bug and tar remover works the same as gas, just my opinion

4x4Lamm · 06-01-2006, 09:58 PM

It is a petrolium product for sure. If I were to put gas in a spray bottle and spray the sides of my 4Runner with it though, somehow, that would be going against my better judgement...

Lamm

HUTCHSTACO · 06-01-2006, 10:01 PM

you just have to be careful with gas, you know the whole flamible thing, rubbing alcohol is a great cheap cleaner as well

Spanky · 06-01-2006, 10:54 PM

I work construction, painting houses.... and the best stuff i have EVER used is a product called "Slik Skin" by Hy-Ko. it is made here in my hometown of salt lake city. it is non abrassive and can be used with or without water. i you not it works like a champ. not only for paint like i use it for, but for after you are done working on your car, it just cuts the grease and such on your hands like no other.
you can get it at paint stores like Kwal-Howells.
the only problem is that since your sap is already "setup" (dried) i really doubt that slik skin will work. so my suggestion is maybe paint thinner, or xylene (which is a solvent like paint thinner, but stonger) or laquer thinner, and if nothing else works... try M.E.K. Methyl Ethyl Keytone.. this is the strongest stuff i know of, but take precautions when using it, like very thick rubber gloves and a well ventilated area!! but this will most certain eat away your paint. so i guess you really need a new paint job. join the club, i have been putting it off for the past year now.

ChickenLover · 06-02-2006, 02:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUTCHSTACO

try a clay bar,

I'll second that. Those things are amazing.

**Yoda** · 06-02-2006, 05:27 AM

Crisco works

Intrepid · 06-02-2006, 05:40 AM

Whatever you use, don't scrub too hard. I had an old car that got pine sap all over it, I scrubbed at it with bug and tar remover long and hard, it didn't want to come off. Once it finally did, the spot of the sap was clean and clear, but all around it was scratched and scuffed.

Buck01 · 06-02-2006, 05:50 AM

a chainsaw will fix the problem : )

Really I would go with bug and tar remover.

**rocket** · 06-04-2006, 12:05 AM

Thanks for all the tips! I'm not sure what method i'll try first but i'll be sure to post the results.

AxleIke · 06-04-2006, 12:37 AM

I always thought that bug and tar remover was just gas in a bottle, least it always smells that way

I like Naptha. It won't take off paint, yet will take off road tar. Never tried sap, just assuming it would too.

06-01-2006, 09:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
*fustercluck* Sponsoring Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: right here. Posts: 7,061	Mineral spirits (paint thinner), acetone, lacquer thinner, finger nail polish, Goop, that gritty hand cleaner in the orange container..... ....and fire. edit: if it has started breaking down the finish on the car, it's over. Time for a re-paint. __________________ War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself. John Stuart Mill English economist & philosopher (1806 - 1873) Last edited by fustercluck; 06-01-2006 at 09:43 PM.

06-01-2006, 09:44 PM	#3 (permalink)
HUTCHSTACO Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bellevue, Washington Posts: 1,044	try a clay bar, gas if you want to risk it __________________ 2006 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport with 20's and 285 Goodyear Furtura's and 2 inch cornfed lift 2002 Tacoma Extra Cab V6 (SOLD)

06-01-2006, 09:48 PM	#4 (permalink)
4x4Lamm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 2,573	Bug and tar remover from parts store of Wal-Mart. I have had good luch with the Rain-X brand. Lamm __________________ -1992 4Runner SR5, Destroyed by fire. Lots of mods. I will miss it. -1995 4Runner SR5 Limited, Also known as the money pit. Becoming a trail rig now. -2004 Tacoma SR5 TRD, My new daily driver. I love this truck!

06-01-2006, 09:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
HUTCHSTACO Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bellevue, Washington Posts: 1,044	i think bug and tar remover works the same as gas, just my opinion __________________ 2006 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport with 20's and 285 Goodyear Furtura's and 2 inch cornfed lift 2002 Tacoma Extra Cab V6 (SOLD)

06-01-2006, 09:58 PM	#6 (permalink)
4x4Lamm Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Canton, Ohio Posts: 2,573	It is a petrolium product for sure. If I were to put gas in a spray bottle and spray the sides of my 4Runner with it though, somehow, that would be going against my better judgement... Lamm __________________ -1992 4Runner SR5, Destroyed by fire. Lots of mods. I will miss it. -1995 4Runner SR5 Limited, Also known as the money pit. Becoming a trail rig now. -2004 Tacoma SR5 TRD, My new daily driver. I love this truck!

06-01-2006, 10:01 PM	#7 (permalink)
HUTCHSTACO Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bellevue, Washington Posts: 1,044	you just have to be careful with gas, you know the whole flamible thing, rubbing alcohol is a great cheap cleaner as well __________________ 2006 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport with 20's and 285 Goodyear Furtura's and 2 inch cornfed lift 2002 Tacoma Extra Cab V6 (SOLD)

06-01-2006, 10:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Spanky Contributing Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: salt lake city utah Posts: 516	I work construction, painting houses.... and the best stuff i have EVER used is a product called "Slik Skin" by Hy-Ko. it is made here in my hometown of salt lake city. it is non abrassive and can be used with or without water. i you not it works like a champ. not only for paint like i use it for, but for after you are done working on your car, it just cuts the grease and such on your hands like no other. you can get it at paint stores like Kwal-Howells. the only problem is that since your sap is already "setup" (dried) i really doubt that slik skin will work. so my suggestion is maybe paint thinner, or xylene (which is a solvent like paint thinner, but stonger) or laquer thinner, and if nothing else works... try M.E.K. Methyl Ethyl Keytone.. this is the strongest stuff i know of, but take precautions when using it, like very thick rubber gloves and a well ventilated area!! but this will most certain eat away your paint. so i guess you really need a new paint job. join the club, i have been putting it off for the past year now. __________________ 1992 Toyota Truck 22re 5 Spd (194K and going!) Magnaflow Highflow Cat Flowmaster 40 Series Muffler 2.25" Pipes K&N Air Filter Airbox Mod, AFM Mod, 2" Body Lift BFG All Terrain 31x10.50's American Racing "Chamber" Wheels 15x8

06-02-2006, 05:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
Yoda Super Moderator Staff Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 2,664	Crisco works __________________ David TLCA 14788 71 Landcruiser FJ-40 TBI 327, TH-350, Warn 8000, disk axle swap. 76 Landcruiser FJ-40 project/parts (haven't decided)

06-02-2006, 05:40 AM	#11 (permalink)
Intrepid Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ashburnham, MA Posts: 2,711	Whatever you use, don't scrub too hard. I had an old car that got pine sap all over it, I scrubbed at it with bug and tar remover long and hard, it didn't want to come off. Once it finally did, the spot of the sap was clean and clear, but all around it was scratched and scuffed. __________________ www.toyotacrawlers.com '85 4runner: 4.7's, FoxFab sliders, custom bumpers, 1" body lift, F-150 springs rear, lockright, welded third, IFS rear axle, 1.5" wheel spacers, high-steer, rears up front, Longs, 38" SX's on steelies, 12Voltguy dual battery, soft top, BMW seats. NO LONGER lacking an engine. :D :D

06-02-2006, 05:50 AM	#12 (permalink)
Buck01 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 596	a chainsaw will fix the problem : ) Really I would go with bug and tar remover. __________________ 94 Toyota Truck 4x4 22RE, 5 Speed 175,000 MOD's include High performance Head with bigger valves and cam, LC engineering Header and complete exhaust kit. I have upgraded headlights with the wiring harrness and Hella H4 allweather bulbs. lift shackels in the rear 3 inch BL

06-04-2006, 12:05 AM	#13 (permalink)
rocket Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,527	Thanks for all the tips! I'm not sure what method i'll try first but i'll be sure to post the results. __________________ '96-'02 gone: '92

06-04-2006, 12:37 AM	#14 (permalink)
AxleIke Contributing Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boulder, Colorado Posts: 4,887	I always thought that bug and tar remover was just gas in a bottle, least it always smells that way I like Naptha. It won't take off paint, yet will take off road tar. Never tried sap, just assuming it would too. __________________ 1987 Mutant 4runner\|Slightly Modified\|Lacking general build direction -Lifts and Tires look cool at the Mall, Lockers and Gears look cool on the trail. -Internet Nice Guy

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