sap removal???

[atomic]

Whatever you do don't use a single edge razor blade on a painted surface! They do make a plastic razor blade that could be used to remove large globs of sap. The simple green in a diluted form will help clean it off. After you use a strong cleaner like simple green on an automotive finish use clay bar, like the kind they sell at www.griotsgarage.com or Mothers or Meguires to clean the surface completely and get a couple coats of wax to seal the surface. Then never park under the "sappy" tree again.

And for the record you can to use a single edge razor blade but as I pointed out to be very careful.... I use to own a detail shop an know alittle about what I am doing and have been known to have to use them to even get those real stubborn pinstripes off of a car before. If you are careful and pay attention to what you are doing there is NO HARM DONE !!!! But you have to be very careful !!!! But I would only attempt this if the sap is real thick like 1/4" or more

[VAPORBLADE]

And for the record you can to use a single edge razor blade but as I pointed out to be very careful....

So if you have epilepsy is it a nono?

[atomic]

So if you have epilepsy is it a nono?

LOL yeah that wouldn't be a great idea !! but it can be done if you have a real steady hand... but only use as a last resort

[Van Westervelt]

Have you tried a claybar?

[george graves]

um, they sell bug and tar remover at every autoparts store in the country. Works great

Silly me. I tried a rain-x product - and it did not work...I'll fuss around with your suggestions and report back....

[AlarmedBread]

Get a car cover because your dbag boss won't park anywhere else so you're stuck parking under an oak tree that constantly drip sap, drops branches and bird shit all over your car because of the stupidly narrow driveway at the shop so you can not park anywhere but under this POS damn tree.

/rant

Get some bug/tar remover, maybe a plastic spatula type thing that isn't too hard/sharp too. The bondo spreading things work pretty good for this.

[thereisnoyun]

hm...

The guy that said to use alcohol is a pro detailer, does the work on Lambos and Euro show cars and such, I doubt that he would give bad advice

yea... he's a pro detailer, he knows how much to use and how to use it. They probably also have 10 layers of different type of wax on thier car to protect the paint, so they can do that. Your paint may not even have clear coat on them...

hell, I've been doing martial arts for 15 + years I can use a tree as my sandbag, but that doesnt mean you can do it.

Let me just say it again... my bro details cars, he's taken tons of wax off of cars. Get a polisher and good metal cleaner and polish it will come out instantly without damaging your paint.

[atomic]

Get you some Wurth Prepsol(solvent)... It is the same as the acusol I mentioned earlier and does a great job at removing stuff like this from your car. As a bonus it does not harm the paint at all... other than a few light scratches from the rag used but that will polish out easily...

[george graves]

Get you some Wurth Prepsol(solvent)... It is the same as the acusol I mentioned earlier and does a great job at removing stuff like this from your car. As a bonus it does not harm the paint at all... other than a few light scratches from the rag used but that will polish out easily...

I like wurth's products, I might try that - been too busy.

[george graves]

Well I tried:

- rain-x bug and tar remover (also claims to wok with sap)
- clay bar (very little came off)
- fingernail (some won't budge)
- rubbing alcohol (marred the clear coat)

Urrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.....

[atomic]

tried media blasting yet ? LOL NO damn how bad is the sap ? Thats crazy that nothing above at least helped some. Try to find the prepsol from worth and give it a try

[myinfernalbmw]

Ok step by step instructions from a detailer who deals with this shit every day.

1. Isopropyl alcohol. Use in the highest percentage you can. Its not the alcohol that marrs your paint but you rubbing it into the paint with your towel. Spray a good amount onto the spots and let sit for a few seconds until it starts to dry. Spray more on and gently wipe the spots. If this doesn't work move on to step 2.

2. Claybar. Clay usually only works if the sap is small specs and not big gobs. It is easier to pick up many small specs than one big booger of sap.

3. Compound. You can try using a rubbing compound like 3M Rubbing Compound (available at many parts stores and online). Use an applicator pad and move in small, even circles. Follow up with a swirl remover and wax. An orbital will make this process a little faster.

3. Body Shop. If both of these things don't work it may be set into the paint. The body shop will probably be able to tell you without you having to pay anything. They may have a simple solution but if it is set into the paint i believe they have to repaint.

The best bet is to use alcohol(which i know didn't work for you). The reason that this is the best solution is that unlike using a harsh metal polish (a practice used by hacks), the alcohol won't remove much if any paint. It might be the only solution but it would be my last choice. What happens if it happens again? You go right for the metal polish and a buffer. Oh no it happened again. Grab the polish again. That damn sap is back yet again and what do you know, you just burned through what little paint you had left from removing sap with metal polish. Granted thats a little extreme but that is exactly what you're doing every time you polish your car.

I would give the alcohol another shot, but let it soak for a while. Also scrape off as much as you can with your fingernail beforehand. Remember that your fingernail can scratch the shit out of the paint so try to only pick at the sap. The only time sap didn't come out with alcohol for me the panel had to be repainted on a new car. You are sure that it is tree sap correct? Rail dust will look and feel a lot like tree sap on cars but it should come off with a little bit of clay and a whole lot of time.

[george graves]

Man - you are awesome for taking the time to post all that up. Thank you!!!

I'll try spraying on "rubbing alcohol" like you suggested.

I also tried this: I put a detail rag on the car, and then using some scrap plastic I turned over a huge bottle of water onto the rag - essentially making a rag on the hood that would be soaked in water for hours and hours in the hot sun. I was trying to soften up the sap - no go...this sap is as had as f-ing epoxy.

[/end rant]

The trunk lid is ok, I can slowly pick at the sap with my finger (it had a newer coat of wax on it - the sap didn't bond at well as the rest) I found that if you fingernail it - that a quick spray of "quick detail" or "mother's gold liquid wax" before, prevents any damage that cant be buffed out..

I tried another brand of "bug and tar remover" tonight. This time from turtle wax. It was nothing more then very diluted liquid wax, a cleaner(could feel if) and some sort of degreaser. It didn't do a thing. urrrrr....

I've learned one thing - keep a good coat of wax on your car. I had let my waxing habits slip at bit as it was the end of summer and I was getting ready to do major surgery on the suspension (doing a total re-build) so, at the same time I wanted to do a really nice hand polish and carnuba bath on the paint (zinno *LOVES* a good wet, oily, wax - it eats moisture for breakfast) - Then the sap happened and I assumed that since my neighbor parked there every day that I would be ok.

The reason why I'm so pissed is that my car is really starting to come together. I have all suspension parts ready to put on, 16 K1's, iS side skirts ready, and I have a freaking awesome 3.5L m30 under the hood, not to mention I just replaced the entire interior over to black, and a ton of other stuff. the paint was the last I was going to splurge on and pay for a professional cut and polish...

I'm going to look into a re-spray. I know enough about preping a car to be dangerous. (helped M3 Ryan respary his e28 in a home garage - and it turned out well)

Oh well - at least it wasn't something I can't fix in time...

(oh e30's suck the life out of you sometimes...)

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///UUUURrrrrrr

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[myinfernalbmw]

It might be worth a shot to take it to a local body shop and have them take a look at it. A heavy compounding could be all it needs to look like new. A good detailing can save you a lot especially when the other option is a full respray. Good luck with your car GG.