Tree Sap or what ?
Discussion
When I park my car outside the house for even an hour it's covered in thousands of minute drops which form a hard deposit.
These are almost invisible to the naked eye but give the paintwork a rough feeling, almost like sandpaper.
I live in a rural area and there are trees close to where I park. I'm assuming it's tree sap or something similar floating around, but the amount of the stuff seems ridiculous.
Is there anything I can apply that will make this stuff less likely to adhere other than a good wax polish ?
These are almost invisible to the naked eye but give the paintwork a rough feeling, almost like sandpaper.
I live in a rural area and there are trees close to where I park. I'm assuming it's tree sap or something similar floating around, but the amount of the stuff seems ridiculous.
Is there anything I can apply that will make this stuff less likely to adhere other than a good wax polish ?
Dogwatch said:
There is a Council owned (thankfully) Sycamore tree on the verge outside which showers my car in sap every summer. Important to keep washing it off before it attacks the modern water paints, even a bucket of water and a long-handled brush will do.
OP please don't use a brush, you will scratch your car.It is indeed tree sap, and can be a problem if left. Give the car a decent clean, then buy some claybar ( Megs is fine).
If you have never used clay before, check Youtube as there are loads of tutorials. It is dead easy, and will remove the sap effectively.
Once clayed, your paint work is 'bare' so will need some protection. At this stage it is worth using a good polish, then give it a few coats of good quality wax. You will then find that the sap will not adhere as easily and it will come off during your usual wash.
mph said:
When I park my car outside the house for even an hour it's covered in thousands of minute drops which form a hard deposit.
These are almost invisible to the naked eye but give the paintwork a rough feeling, almost like sandpaper.
I live in a rural area and there are trees close to where I park. I'm assuming it's tree sap or something similar floating around, but the amount of the stuff seems ridiculous.
Is there anything I can apply that will make this stuff less likely to adhere other than a good wax polish ?
This is NOT tree sap. A common misnomer.These are almost invisible to the naked eye but give the paintwork a rough feeling, almost like sandpaper.
I live in a rural area and there are trees close to where I park. I'm assuming it's tree sap or something similar floating around, but the amount of the stuff seems ridiculous.
Is there anything I can apply that will make this stuff less likely to adhere other than a good wax polish ?
Tree sap does not rain down from leaves, branches and twigs in millions of tiny peppered spots. Tree sap does fall on cars but in large very obvious dollops.
The dots are actually a sugar solution that is regurgitated from the stomachs of aphids. I have a big problem with it in my driveway as its under a big tree where they all live. At certain times of the year the dots will appear literally seconds after you have washed a panel. Simple water will wash it away though and it cant damage your paint.
jackal said:
This is NOT tree sap. A common misnomer.
Tree sap does not rain down from leaves, branches and twigs in millions of tiny peppered spots. Tree sap does fall on cars but in large very obvious dollops.
The dots are actually a sugar solution that is regurgitated from the stomachs of aphids. I have a big problem with it in my driveway as its under a big tree where they all live. At certain times of the year the dots will appear literally seconds after you have washed a panel. Simple water will wash it away though and it cant damage your paint.
Yes , this sounds exactly the scenario I have. Waxed the car this afternoon and it was covered again minutes after I finished.Tree sap does not rain down from leaves, branches and twigs in millions of tiny peppered spots. Tree sap does fall on cars but in large very obvious dollops.
The dots are actually a sugar solution that is regurgitated from the stomachs of aphids. I have a big problem with it in my driveway as its under a big tree where they all live. At certain times of the year the dots will appear literally seconds after you have washed a panel. Simple water will wash it away though and it cant damage your paint.
Must be a lot of those aphids up there !
JFReturns said:
Aphid crap or not, that is missing the point. The OP wanted to know how to clean it off and aid the cleaning process in the future.
As stated, simple water will do it. You dont even need shampoo or hot water. The sugar will stick and dry no matter what. There isnt a sealent on earth that will stop it.And the latter is fairly obvious. Dont park under the offending trees. There are millions of those blighters on the leaves.
No need to be sore because you were wrong though. No one knows everything in life and my post wasnt written to hurt you.
eldar said:
Aphids are the cause, they love sycamores. Its water soluble and just washes off about 10 minutes after you give it a good soaking. No need for brushes or the like. A drive in the rain will also clear it.
Thanks for all the advice at least I now know what I'm dealing with.Unfortunately I can't avoid parking near a tree and guess what - it's a sycamore.
The marks do wash off easily but it's a real pain, doesn't anyone market an aphid exterminator ?
mph said:
Thanks for all the advice at least I now know what I'm dealing with.
Unfortunately I can't avoid parking near a tree and guess what - it's a sycamore.
The marks do wash off easily but it's a real pain, doesn't anyone market an aphid exterminator ?
You can Karcher the tree. Unfortunately I can't avoid parking near a tree and guess what - it's a sycamore.
The marks do wash off easily but it's a real pain, doesn't anyone market an aphid exterminator ?
Ive not done this myself but it is supposed to give some temporary light relief.
I suppose google will return the name of an aphid killer product and you could mix this into a pressure washer stream perhaps. Quite an xtreme measure but knowing how much of a pain this is i would probably go for it myself f i had katcger.
jackal said:
You can Karcher the tree.
Ive not done this myself but it is supposed to give some temporary light relief.
I suppose google will return the name of an aphid killer product and you could mix this into a pressure washer stream perhaps. Quite an xtreme measure but knowing how much of a pain this is i would probably go for it myself f i had katcger.
I've got five of the sycamore weeds, all with TPOs. Squirting the trees will result in a huge cloud of aphids and a downfall of aphid sIve not done this myself but it is supposed to give some temporary light relief.
I suppose google will return the name of an aphid killer product and you could mix this into a pressure washer stream perhaps. Quite an xtreme measure but knowing how much of a pain this is i would probably go for it myself f i had katcger.
t as they fly away. A couple of days later the giant wasp magnet takes effect and there are millions of the stripey bds flying around, as well as the aphids. Got the T short for that
The solution in order of preference.
1. Chainsaw the buggers down and plant a proper tree.
2.Live in Cumbria where it rains every day.
3.Flamethrower.
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