Introduction
Today's video, we demonstrate how to safely remove tree sap from your paint. Tree sap ruins car paint! Have you ever parked under the shade of a beautiful tree only to find sticky tree sap all over the place? The sticky syrupy mess oozes out from trees and falls all over your car's roof, windshield, hood, and any other paintwork and glass.
Removing tree sap can be very tricky. Some people resort to rubbing and scrubbing with hard brushes or towels, but they end up scratching and swirling the paintwork as they go.
Others use caustic chemicals like hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, water displacement sprays, or lacquer thinner to melt the sap away. Those caustic chemicals can be bad for your health, and definitely remove any wax coatings from your paintwork, leaving it exposed to the elements and more sap contamination.
Using Butter Wet Wax to remove tree sap is easy, fast, cheap, and safe. If you love your car, chances are you already have a bottle on your shelf. You don't need a lot of product, just squeeze a couple dots of Butter Wet Wax on your microfiber towel, then rub it gently over the affected area. Give it a few treatments until all the tree sap is completely gone.
This Butter Wet Wax tree sap removal trick works on any shiny or clear surface on your car. Remove tree sap from paintwork, glass, clear optical plastics, and polished metals like chrome and stainless steel.
••••••••••••••• Products Used in Today's Video •••••••••••••••••
➜ Butter Wet Wax:
www.chemicalguys.com/butter-wet-wax-warm-and-deep-carnauba-shine/butter-wet-wax.html
➜ Swift Wipe Waterless Wash:
www.chemicalguys.com/swift-wipe-complete-waterless-car-wash-easy-spray-and-wipe-formula/swift-wipe-waterless-wash.html
••••••••••
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Content
Oh, the things you see in Gardena huh, okay, final, if real in three to give me your heads up thing, what's going on everybody, happy Wednesday and thanks so much for tuning in for today's episode of Chemical Guys detail garage today, Octavio myself for shooting a bit of a raw video.
We were walking outside in the parking lot and we saw this Nissan Altima and we talked to the owner and they were saying that they parked it underneath the tree, and this gave us a great idea for a video, because a lot of you guys deal with the same problem where the tree sap sits in your car.
It gets hot and it starts to run and then it cools off and then it dries so we're gonna show you a quick way to remove it safely and also add some protection now to begin we're, gonna clean it using some Swift wipe, which is a waterless wash and wax.
Normally we want to wash this car, but we thought maybe, if you're living in an apartment where you don't have access to a hose or a bucket, and anything like that.
You're, probably in a waterless wash situation, so we're gonna.
Do it that way: - nice, hey man, I'm human, most the time so we'll start by spraying down the surface and since there's a light amount of dust that are accumulating on the paint here, we're gonna give it a second to saturate and the Swift wife is going to encapsulate it boy.
Someone needs a fan belt and now we're taking a clean, microfiber towel we're gonna, wipe it away, brings up a good point, we're outside of the detail garage so bare with any kind of noise.
We see that, even by wiping it it takes off a little bit, but that's just usually the dirt that's accumulated in the tree, sap or, and it kind of staining the other day.
I was talking to a customer and they're saying that they call tree sap, honeydew I, don't know if a lot of you guys call it that you can drop your comments down below.
We see here the stains still on there and there's a lot of run here.
So what we're going to do is what I always recommend people doing is if it's fresh get yourself a bottle of butter, wet wax, which has natural cleaning, oils, I, hope to lift off any of the stubborn residue, and it also leaves behind a great shine but also durable layer protection.
So that's exactly what we're gonna do start by shaking at the bottle, and we all know that butter wet wax has a lot of versatility.
You can use it for removing any kind of water spots tree sap.
You can also use it for removing kind of overspray from spray paint or road paint and release behind a fine layer of carnauba, which makes it difficult for future contamination to stick to the surface.
It also helps to give you some kind of water.
Beating action will start by just blotching it out giving the oil as a moment to help break down whatever we're working on before we go into scrubbing it, but also this is going to lubricate the pad that you're using or the towel that you're using so you're, not grinding it into the surface, causing it kind of scratches or swirls, but a little bit more because again it has these oils that help to lift off the contamination.
That's on the surface.
This way we're not grinding it or scratching there we're going to work back and forth straight here on the little things this is going to the easiest ones, gently back and forth, almost immediately.
There's nothing left behind, come back and buff away the excess, nice and slick.
Now, four people have rode paint.
I was recommended to come back with a clay bar or some type of clay equivalent.
This way you're not leaving anything, that's embedded in the surface because paint it starts to attract itself or it starts to cling very quickly.
So having a clay bar is going to help, remove any kind of contamination and also helps remove it.
That was on the surface already all that, and it's going to make the surface nice and clean, and then you can apply your favorite waxes sealants on top of that to prevent any kind of future damage.
What you see here, nice and easy, very simple to do very quick.
It doesn't harm the paint in any way, you're, actually adding shine and protection, which is exactly what detailing is all about.
Enhancing the look of your vehicle, giving you protection, so they can last as long as possible.
Very easy to do.
Can even these on your clear optical plastics, not your text, your plastics or your painted pearl kind of any exterior trim, but on your tail lights or headlights, where you get the same problem, we're going to splash it out gently, go back and forth very easy to do very simple! And now you don't have to worry about polishing as long as you catch it soon enough, because if you leave it on there for long enough, it's actually to start eating away at your clear coat, and this can result in polishing or having to repaint the area because it'll stain it and that becomes permanent.
So it's always a great idea to get these off as soon as possible, and there you have it nice and easy simple to do, and again it was just with basically two products: you clean it first and then use butter will waxed, remove the residue and it's al, so it was stuck on the surface and that leaves behind a brilliant shine and it's going to be protected for next time.
So if you guys will learn more with these products head over to our website chemicalguys.com, if you liked today's video be sure to give it a thumbs up, don't forget to drop ur comments down below for future videos and we'll see you guys next time right here in the detail, garage I used to be the one I used to be okay.
FAQs
What is the easiest way to remove tree sap? ›
You can usually remove big globs of sap with some diluted isopropyl alcohol; pour it on and let it sit to break the bond, then wipe the area with a clean microfiber. If you're working on a vertical panel, you can use hand sanitizer gel; it has alcohol in it and is less likely to drip than an isopropyl solution.
What is the best chemical to remove tree sap? ›Rubbing Alcohol or Mineral Spirits
Rubbing alcohol works well to dissolve and remove sap from a car. Apply it to the spot with sap, and watch it dissolve. Then simply wipe it off with a clean microfiber towel.
For the best results, use rubbing alcohol, aka isopropyl alcohol, to clean tree sap from your vehicle. Nothing fancy or ridiculously strong, just common alcohol, and you only need a dilute solution for it to work. Put a bit on a paper towel and dab it on. Then, gently wipe the sap off.
Will acetone remove tree sap? ›Acetone is commonly used to dissolve nail polish but is also effective at removing tree sap. Take a cotton ball and pour some of the nail polish remover on it. Next, wipe the spots covered in sap with the soaked cotton ball. The sap will then wipe away easily.
Does vinegar dissolve tree sap? ›Yes, vinegar can remove tree sap. To use vinegar to remove tree sap, you can spray it on the affected area or wet a cloth with it. Allow the vinegar to sit on the sap for a few minutes, then rub the area to remove the sap. However, you should not use vinegar to remove sap from car paint, since it may damage the finish.
Will rubbing alcohol damage car paint? ›Using rubbing alcohol in the right ratio on your car is an effective cleaning method. A mixture of 10%-15% rubbing alcohol to 85%-90% water will not damage the paint. This can remove grease, oil, and other persistent stains on your car's body.
Will rubbing alcohol damage car paint tree sap? ›Step 1: Use rubbing alcohol.
This should start to break down the sap. Rub the sap until it comes off completely. Do not leave rubbing alcohol on the vehicle for too long, as it can potentially damage the paint and clear coat.
Rubbing alcohol will not damage your car's paint if you use enough water with it in order to remove whatever stain on your car's body or doors. The recommended ratio is 10% to 15% rubbing alcohol to 85% to 90% water for the best results. Rubbing alcohol should always be mixed with water when cleaning your car.
Is Goo Gone good for removing tree sap? ›Goo Gone Automotive Spray Gel is specially formulated for removing sticky, gooey, gummy messes from cars. All without harming surfaces. The non-drip, no-mess automotive formula safely removes tree sap, dirt, tar, bugs, brake dust, bumper stickers and more.
Does Dawn dish soap remove tree sap? ›Does Dawn dish soap remove tree sap? Dish soap can be effective in removing tree sap from hard surfaces such as wood or tile floors if the sap is fresh and still sticky, but will not do much if the sap has hardened.
Does rubbing alcohol remove tree sap? ›
Luckily, the most popular and available sanitizer is alcohol-based, and its main ingredient (isopropyl alcohol, or rubbing alcohol) is what helps remove sap from your car without taking the paint with it.
How do you get hardened sap off a car? ›Hand sanitizer is an excellent alternative to rubbing alcohol to soak and remove tree sap. Soak a cotton ball with hand sanitizer and leave the cotton ball on the sap for at least 30 seconds. Repeat the soaking and scrubbing process until the pine sap disintegrates.
What takes out sap? ›Rubbing alcohol is a universal tree sap stain remover, which can spirit away the sticky substance without a trace. Be careful, though, as isopropyl alcohol can wreak serious havoc on your fabrics: It's recommended to test it on a less visible area of your piece of clothing first, before applying it to the stain.
Does hydrogen peroxide remove sap? ›Dilute hydrogen peroxide with 50% water. Then apply this mixture to the stained area. Be sure to contain the mixture within the affected area. Whenever the foam stabilizes, you will need to add hydrogen peroxide.
Does bleach remove tree sap? ›Steps to Clean
For stubborn stains, rub with heavy-duty liquid detergent. Launder immediately. If color stain remains, soak/wash in chlorine bleach if safe for fabric, or in oxygen bleach. For extra heavy stains, apply dry cleaning solvent to back of the stain over absorbent paper towels.
Baking soda is a really gentle abrasive so it's the perfect choice for removing tree sap and bugs from your car's exterior without damaging the finish.
Why is tree sap so hard to wash off? ›Once it accumulates there, it is particularly difficult to remove due to its thick and sticky texture. If it remains – especially if it bakes in the sun – tree sap will solidify into a tough resin that is extremely difficult to remove.
Does mayonnaise remove tree sap? ›Mayonnaise: Although it's best on a BLT, mayo does a really great job of removing tree sap. It works well on humans, pets, clothing and even your carpet.
Is Goo Gone safe on car paint? ›Is Goo Gone Automotive safe to use on car paint? Yes! That's what it's designed for, just wash with hot, soapy water after you're done using the Goo Gone.
Does hydrogen peroxide damage car paint? ›While most common household disinfectants are effective, some are not ideal for use on a vehicle including bleach, hydrogen peroxide, benzene, thinners or other harsh and abrasive cleaners. These chemical products can damage your vehicle's upholstery and/or interior surfaces.
Is wd40 good for car paint? ›
WD-40 is mixed to precise proportions, and once it's mixed together, the ingredients are safe on your paint. Yes, you read that right. It's safe! But just because it won't dissolve your car's clear coat doesn't mean that using it on paintwork is a good idea.
What can I spray on my car to get sap off? ›- Spray WD-40 directly on the sap stain and allow it to soak for 5 minutes.
- Apply a wet cloth, soaked in hot water, on top for added penetration. ( Optional)
- Use the cloth to rub away the sap, repeating steps 1 and 2 as needed.
- Once the sap is gone, wash the area with hot water and soap.
The oils found in peanut butter help break down the sap, making it easy to comb out. Simply cover areas with sap and use a hair dryer (warm setting) to soften. Comb out and wash hair as usual. Mayonnaise has the same effect.
What kind of paint does rubbing alcohol remove? ›Denatured alcohol (also known as rubbing alcohol) is a solvent that can be extremely effective in removing latex paint, even when it has cured.
Can you use 91 isopropyl alcohol to clean car paint? ›Rubbing alcohol will not damage a car's paint when used sparingly and in moderation. Diluting rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol to 20% concentration with distilled water is an excellent way to ensure the paint is oil-free before applying a car wax, paint sealant, or ceramic coating.
Will rubbing alcohol damage windshield wipers? ›Applying rubbing alcohol to the blade of each wiper will do two things: one, it will clean any and all debris from the wiper blade itself, helping to maintain an abrasive-free clean when you use your wipers, and two: excess grime on the blades will cause streaking and annoying squeaking noises.
Why does alcohol remove tree sap? ›Alcohol is a moderately polar solvent that would match well with the sugars/phenolics/lignins in the sap - so it dissolved it or at least emulsified it well .
Will rubbing compound remove tree sap? ›Baked-on sap will not wash off, and even many solvents won't take it off. Hard sap shrugs off virtually all combination cleaner waxes, not to mention spray cleaners. The conventional way of dealing with sap is to use a polishing or rubbing compound.
Will OxiClean remove tree sap? ›Use OxiClean Maximum Strength sprayed on sap, leave it sit a minute and wipe off with soft rag. When all sap is removed, wash with warm water/detergent mix to clean off any residue. It works like a charm!
Are tree sap stains permanent? ›These marks are permanently stained in the clear coat, and not even wet sanding or polishing would do anything to help remove them.
Can buffing remove tree sap? ›
Gently Removing Tree Sap
Start by gently rubbing the solvent into the sap with your hands to soften and dissolve it. If the sap has been on your car for a while, you can attempt to remove it with a buffer on the lightest setting. Otherwise, you can wash your car normally to remove the sap and the solvent.
Cooking oils, like olive or coconut, are also excellent for quickly taking sap off of skin.
What removes pine sap? ›Rubbing alcohol: Rubbing alcohol is commonly used to remove tree sap from clothes and hair. A powerful solvent, rubbing alcohol breaks up and dissolves sticky sap. Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol, and dab away at the sap to dissolve it. Repeat the process until the sap is gone.
What is hardened tree sap called? ›Amber is formed from resin exuded from tree bark (figure 9), although it is also produced in the heartwood. Resin protects trees by blocking gaps in the bark. Once resin covers a gash or break caused by chewing insects, it hardens and forms a seal.
Will mineral spirits remove sap from car? ›Mineral spirits is an oil-based solvent oftentimes used as paint thinner and commonly found at your local hardware store. This household item is also effectively used for removing tree sap from cars. Use a soft, terry towel, or wash cloth dampened with mineral spirits. Repeat as needed until the tree sap is gone.
How does tree sap come out? ›Sap is produced in the leaves (or needles) of a tree and is distributed throughout the tree through the phloem, which runs vertically from top to bottom on the tree. If a cut is made in the trunk or a branch of a living tree, the cut severs some of the phloem, allowing the sap to ooze out.
What is the best way to remove tree sap from the driveway? ›A: The alcohol-based hand sanitizer that you may have stocked up on works wonders for removing pine pitch from almost any surface, and it won't hurt asphalt or asphalt sealer. Sanitizing hand wipes with alcohol as their key ingredient should also work.
How do you remove hardened tree sap? ›Hand sanitizer is an excellent alternative to rubbing alcohol to soak and remove tree sap. Soak a cotton ball with hand sanitizer and leave the cotton ball on the sap for at least 30 seconds. Repeat the soaking and scrubbing process until the pine sap disintegrates.
Can you stop tree sap? ›Control. There is no practical method for stopping the flow of sap from a bleeding wound, and in most cases, this bleeding is completely harmless. Binding and wrapping the cut is not recommended, as it is better to allow air to reach the wound and let it heal naturally.
Can you pressure wash tree sap? ›To remove the sap, gather a microfiber cloth or a large clean sponge, car soap, a bucket of hot water and a garden hose with a spray nozzle or a pressure washer.