Getting tree sap off your paint

[mechsympathy]

Anyone got any pointers? It's really sticky crap and will come off if scraped with a plastic edge but I'm a bit concerned about trashing the paint. Will white spirit do any damage to the paint?

[mneame]

get yourself a meguiers quick detailing kit. these claybars are very easy going and will do the trick.

what wash methods do you use? once you let me know i'll let you know how i would go about it.

[mechsympathy]

I have a claybar, but it doesn't work on this stuff

When you say "wash system" do you mean a bucket and sponge??

[mneame]

which claybar have you got and what are you using as lube?

tar and glue remover should do the trick. although could work out expensive to go all over. you can use white spirit but i prefer not to. you'll need to polish and reprotect the paint afterwards regardless of what you use.

the other option is to get a citrus degreaser and go over the car and leave to soak for a few minutes. then rinse off and wash. dry and then clay bar. this would be my prefered method.

[mechsympathy]

mneame said:

which claybar have you got and what are you using as lube?

IIRC it's Meguiars Quik clay, with the original lube.

Cheers for the other pointers, I'll see how I get on.

[mneame]

that claybar is very mild. if you go with the citrus degreaser or the t&g and then claybar it should do the trick.

[Trooper2]

Bug and tar removers will usually cut through tree sap.

[cornershop]

http://www.bilthamber.com/autoclay.html

can use water as a lubricant....

[PJ S]

Mech, although you have a clay bar already, it's the Meg's one, and not one I'm familiar with. Having dived straight in at the Bilt Hamber, and finding it to be superb, I can only suggest you might be better served with one of them, as it is more aggressive, but gentle on the paintwork.
Saves the lube you have for a QD spray.
Anyway, I'd be very surprised if you needed anything more than a warm bucket of soapy water to remove the bulk of the sap - but as it'll need to be warmer than body temp, you'll probably remove your wax as well, which to a certain degree, you have/will already if going with a clay bar.
Still, should be all you really need bar the most stubborn bits.

If you plan on venturing into the Bilt Hamber arena, you'd be well advised to grab their shampoo, as well as the clay. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with it, over what you're currently using.

[Tim Bomford]

Failing the claybar route, get yourself a towelling pad and some cleaner fluid. Swissvax, Dodo juice, and even zymol do one () they vary from £15 to £25 from memory but for ease of use I'd go with the Dodo.

Tim