cleaning tree sap

[leadsled1953]

we are pulling some old pickups out from under some trees.the bodies arent too bad.but they are covered in tree sap big time.any ideas on cleaning them up.i figure a steam cleaner.but what should i put on them first to cut the sap .thanks

[FuelFC]

I need this one too. I have tried gas, goo gone, thinner...everything except the old standby of 80 grit paper.

[DrJ]

Tree sap is water soluable ( think Maple syrup)
Warm water will take it off this year.
You just need to keep it wet untill it dissolves. wet towlwith a plastic bag over it to keep it from evaporating should do it.

[Fast Elvis]

You can also use a product named Sea Foam.........after you use it throw the rest of the can in the gas tank to condition the motor. You can pick it up at any parts jobber. Good luck

[Enbloc]

Try WD 40.......

Honest !!

[InjectorTim]

he aint kiddin, WD40!

[pigpen]

The good news is that the tree sap probably protected the bodies from more rust. Try Prep Sol solvent.

pigpen

[ABONES]

rubbing alcohol works on pine sap and possibly others.

[safariknut]

Try gum turpentine(I think tree sap is the main ingredient)to soften it initially and finish up with wax and grease remover or denatured alcohol.

[Gracie]

I got some little "handi-wipe" things from Autozone... I think it is by Turtlewax... "bug and tar remover" ... it works but takes quite a bit of elbow grease too... it comes in a container that looks like those "Wet Ones" towellettes...

Good Stuff Maynard.

[A32Flathead]

I used WD40 on the Valiant, which was parked under a pine tree for 16 years till we rescued her a few weeks ago.

Works VERY well.





Dave

[Kustom Chief]

Go into your medicine cabinet and get the bottle of rubbing alcohol and a rag. It will come right off. It will take the wax finish off a car...but it removes the pine sap. My father lived will all pine trees on his property and we had to do this on ever one of the cars when he moved!!!
Like 12 or 13 that were exposed to it.

Larry

[Blownolds]

If you use something oily to get it off, you may have troubles with paint later.

[overspray]

Some "tree sap" isn't tree sap at all, but droppings from insects. Here for a while in the summer, aphids leave a sticky film on cars when parked under trees. Only soap/detergent and water will take it off. No solvent based products or compounds will work.

overspray

[FuelFC]

Thanks for the ideas. I will try them in order of less oily to most oily and report back. It has become a mission now.

Company van is first in case of potential finish damage. Why ruin my stuff? (LOL) Sorry boss but you shoulda known better than to give me a psuedo rental car. Dumbass........whahahahahaha

[DrJ]

Listen up;
TREE SAP IS WATER SOLUBLE, DAMN IT!!!

[dixiedog]

[ QUOTE ]
Listen up;
TREE SAP IS WATER SOLUBLE, DAMN IT!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

except pine tree sap - that is what was used to make turpentine back years ago (I grew up by a turpentine "farm" below Tampa) here is a quote from this site scienceviews

"Longleaf Pine is a source of turpentine, pine oil, tar, pitch, resins and wood pulp. It is used in the manufacturing of varnishes, inks, waxes, seals and lubricants, as well as kraft paper and paperboard. The needles are used for mulch. Resin is used in the naval stores industry for gum turpentine and rosin production. The uses of turpentine oil as a rubefacient are well known. Rosin is widely used by athletes to protect their hands, and by violinists to prevent the bow from slipping and to produce better vibration. Pine tar from this source is used therapeutically for the same purpose as white pine tar. "

So for pine sap - mineral spirits works well

Here is a better site florida history

[steveb]

Lighter fluid or naptha really does a good job removing any type of grease, wax, tar, & pine sap. It evaporates quickly, & won't harm most paints.

Steve

[FuelFC]

Well I'd have to agree it is NOT water soluble. If it were then how come it is still there after 68" of rain this year? How come it doesn't come off in car wash? (repeated washings in sucession, the owner said "oh it will come off" and it went through 5 times, didn't touch it)

If all else fails in my quest I shall use your plain water method and just drive it into the pool and leave it for one week. Then we'll just see how well that works. (company van wouldn't use my own) Then you can tell the president what I was doing was just following instructions.

BTW I have had samples in water in a glass for over an hour and it is still like it was when I cut it off of the van.

[leadsled1953]

the trucks look like they got a a brown paint job lol .we couldnt get they out because it was raining.the ground isnt frozen so we gotta wait [my friend doesnt want his tow truck stuck,very embarrassing when that happens]maybe tomorrow i'll get a picture or too.i gotta cut down the trees growing out of the bumpers.once i get them to my friends tow yard i plan on steaming them .i figure i'll try that first.