How do I get major sap off the 80??

IdahoDoug · 10-08-03, 11:25 PM

Parked on the main drag of a tiny town over the weekend for several trees and returned to find the trees had literally showered the 80 with sap. I'm talking super fine drops so dense that there are at least 50 per square inch - truck feels like it's been stucco'd.

Anyone know of a product I can use to get it off - something that sprays on as I literally will be cleaning 90% of the entire body surface? A detail guy suggested rubbing alcohol, which did seem to dissolve the drops but it is so volatile it dries and merely converts drops to a layer of sap unless you get it wiped up before the alcohol dries (seconds). So, not good for the entire body....

Help!

IdahoDoug

Beowulf · 10-08-03, 11:30 PM

Doug,
I've had a can of Ford bug & tar remover that I have used for years. It's almost empty after 30 years but the stuff still works great. I don't know if you can still get it from a Ford dealer but it's worth a phone call. The stuff is probably illegal now but it doesn't hurt the finish as long as you wash it after use then wax it.
-B-

T Y L E R · 10-09-03, 03:17 AM

I drive down to my parents place a few times a year . Their place is like a forest *L* . Maples flank the drive and this summer I got sapped big time . I hauled my lazy ass to a place that hand washes your truck in and out , and then continued over to wally mart where I purchased a crude vehicle cover . Only takes around 30 secs to put it on or remove . Only the dork factor to contend with ... :-[ :-[ :-[

Tyler

As far as Beo's 'Pristine' , you should know he ain't never contended with foreign 'matter's directly as he has quite a layering of plastic wrap about that beast :slap:

LINUS · 10-09-03, 03:23 AM

I've used mineral spirits before to get road tar off the rocker panels on my old Corrado. I didn't see any damage done to the paint, and there were places where the paint wasn't factory. If your paint is fairly durable (eg. -not a respray in the last few months) I wouldn't hesatate trying it on a cool day out of the direct sunlight.

Waxed it afterwards and my car looked great.

My $.02 .

Scamper · 10-09-03, 06:14 AM

Yup...mineral spirits is the ticket. That's what the bug and tar remover is made of too. It won't hurt your finish.

UpNorth · 10-09-03, 08:14 AM

The other option would be detailing clay. Mothers makes a kit that should be available locally for about $12-$15. I'm not particularly fond of using really harsh solvents on my paint so I usually use clay for stuff like this. Just make sure you fold it frequently so if it picks up any hard particles you aren't grinding them into the paint.

CDN_Cruiser · 10-09-03, 08:27 AM

I've also used a 'clay bar' to clean the truck. While I was sceptical at first, it really does work. The downside is that there is a lot of elbow greese to do the job on a truck this size.

Cheers, Hugh

bkgiii · 10-09-03, 08:38 AM

My $.03: I've used several things over the years. Our problem down here is usually pine sap and 'love-bugs', both equally bothersome and hard to get off. Focusing on the pine sap, though, in order of removal preference:

(1) Mineral spirits.
(2) lighter fluid, or, for really really tough globs that are dried as hard as epoxy....
(3) ice. Freeze the heck out of it, then carefully chip at it with a razor blade. then GOTO (1)

Oh yeah......the bugs: they particularly like bumpers. If you clean / wash / wax the bumper, spray a little Pam on it.....keeps the bugs from sticking.

DanKunz · 10-09-03, 08:40 AM

Step 1: Dip whole truck in Dupont bedliner.
Step 2: I am obsessed with this idea.

scottm · 10-09-03, 09:03 AM

Ha, this reminds me of helping my other bro get heavy sap off a Triumph GT6 he bought for a song. It had sat under maple trees for an eternity, took a whole bottle of rubbing alcohol to discover the paint was flawless. Lots of rubbing alcohol and lots of work. Good luck bro!

Jonathan_Ferguson · 10-09-03, 09:22 AM

Easiest way to keep the Car clean is to regulaly use a good quality Wash/Wax.
Such as: Armour All - Wash and Wax, Turtle Wax - Wash with Wax and Selly's Wash and Wax.

To get Bugs and Tar off, The best I've found to work are: Acetone, Mineral Turpentine and Methylated Spirits.

The worst thing I've ever used to clean the Car is with Cut and Polish. >:( Once you start you can never stop using it. :'(

After I've given the Car especially good Wash, I put a big splash of Selly's Poly Glaze - Wax into a Bucket and dilute with a bit of warm Water, Then apply with a sponge, Then Hose off with a very light spray. 8) - Only way to not have to keep Cutting and Polishing Dads 1996 Holden Barina(Vauxhall/Opel Corsa). When the Oil Pump Gasket went, Got it replaced at the Holden Dealer and they used a high pressure Water thing that killed the Clear Coat. >:(

Desertmaster · 10-09-03, 11:34 AM

Bug & Tar Removal Application from any auto store will do, just make sure it does not harm the finish, I have been in your pair of shoes in past with my old Camry.

Al

TLCObsession · 10-09-03, 11:35 AM

How about good old Turtle wax bug & tar remover....?

Beowulf · 10-09-03, 01:00 PM

>> Acetone, <<

Uhhh, I don't think you want to use acetone on *any* painted surface. Least not the acetone stuff I've got.

Not trying to start a firestorm but for waxing there's nothing that I have found that is better than Zaino. Spendy though.

Step 1. Remove shrink-wrap
Step 2. Wash with liquid Dawn
Step 3. Clay bar
Step 4. All the Zaino steps
Step 5. Reapply shrink-wrap

Keeps Pristine .... well... pristine.

-B-

-B-

cruiserdan · 10-09-03, 01:01 PM

Do not use dish soap for regular washing as it strips wax..........

sleeoffroad · 10-09-03, 02:25 PM

[quote author=DanKunz link=board=2;threadid=6109;start=msg49031#msg49031 date=1065706804]
Step 1: Dip whole truck in Dupont bedliner.
Step 2: I am obsessed with this idea.
[/quote]

Kinda like this
http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos...smi=1&a=122165

DanKunz · 10-09-03, 03:00 PM

huuummmmmina!!!

I want that treatment with my factory 2 tone

How much did that run if you don't mind me asking Christo?

alaskacruiser · 10-09-03, 03:07 PM

Christo- absolutely amazing!! Please fill us in on the $$$ of something like that!

DanKunz · 10-09-03, 03:10 PM

oh, and I couldn't resist this one either....

How do I get major sap off the 80??

You ask them nicely to get off or you go very fast around a curve

cruiserman · 10-09-03, 04:16 PM

Doug, Are you talking aphyd mess or stuff from a maple tree? A regular wash will remove aphyd crap.

fj40crusher · 10-09-03, 04:19 PM

Years ago a chick I was dating ran over a can of green spray paint that blew up all over her white car. I bought a product from turtle wax, some tar and paint remover stuff that took it right off 1 day later. Couldn't believe it worked as well as it did. Took off all the old road tar too. Didn't appear to hurt the finish either.

Needless to say, I was very impressed. Most crap on the market doesn't do what it says it should.

sleeoffroad · 10-09-03, 04:55 PM

Not sure on the cost. It was done by a customer of ours. He is in Texas and has beat the living daylights out of the truck. Decided Line-X was cheaper than paint

Photoman · 10-09-03, 05:00 PM

Things to try to remove sap; if fresh, mayonnaise, lard.
If it's been on for awhile; the ideas above plus WD40, kerosene, and dry ice. Live in Penn's woods.
Bill

IdahoDoug · 10-09-03, 08:50 PM

Hey, some great tips. Unless anyone can find a risk, I'm going to use mineral spirits as I suspect it will remain "wet" where the rubbing alcohol I tried dried in seconds and only allows small areas to be done. Since I have about 4 Triumph GT-6s worth of surface area and will be working alone, efficiency is key.

What a freaking mess this is. It's definitely sap, and my buddy's white Excursion diesel also got the rear half coated. One week later, and I'd have had a fresh coat of wax on it - grrr. I'll be pulling the Thule rack off to do it, adding to the time/labor.

As for clay, I have a bar, but it's fresh so the fine droplets are not hard enough to break off. In addition, that would take an incredible amount of work (see description in initial post). Incredibly, there was enough gentle wind that day that even the sides and all VERTICAL surfaces are coated at about 2/3 the amount of the horizontals.....

IdahoDoug

cruiserdan · 10-10-03, 08:41 AM

Doug,

This is a dumb question. Some tree droppings are water soluable, did you try that?

D-

IdahoDoug · 10-10-03, 09:55 PM

Well, it pays to be dirty sometimes. When this whole sap thing happened, the truck was filthy and I was planning to wash and wax it the next day. So today I came home early with a gallon of mineral spirits and a spray bottle as well as a large bag o' rags. While washing the truck to get it ready, I was astonished to see the detergent loosening them up, and by the time I was done, it was apparent the sap had been atop the dirt!! So, about 99.3% of it came off as kind of "soft" grit. When I realized it was happening, I immediately dumped the warm soapy water and refilled with super cold soapy water to help discourage it from regripping on the now clean paint. Worked like a charm and areas that it gripped a little better were overcome with a bug sponge (has that cheesecloth texture). I am soooo relieved!! Spent an hour touching up chips instead, so that it's ready to wax later in the weekend.

Thanks for all the tips, and I'll be returning the rags and mineral spirits with a very light heart.

IdahoDoug

DanKunz · 10-10-03, 09:57 PM

Let this be a lesson to you...never wash your truck!

Junk · 10-10-03, 10:33 PM

best way to get it off? :urinate: Dang Woody and Gumby, got to bring that one back for us :slap:

MTNRAT · 10-10-03, 11:24 PM

I would try a sapsucker

.
Sean

IdahoDoug · 10-10-03, 11:25 PM

Hey, wondered where you were and when you'd weigh in on this issue. Heh.

IdahoDoug

10-08-03, 11:25 PM	#1
IdahoDoug IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 6,604	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Parked on the main drag of a tiny town over the weekend for several trees and returned to find the trees had literally showered the 80 with sap. I'm talking super fine drops so dense that there are at least 50 per square inch - truck feels like it's been stucco'd. Anyone know of a product I can use to get it off - something that sprays on as I literally will be cleaning 90% of the entire body surface? A detail guy suggested rubbing alcohol, which did seem to dissolve the drops but it is so volatile it dries and merely converts drops to a layer of sap unless you get it wiped up before the alcohol dries (seconds). So, not good for the entire body.... Help! IdahoDoug

10-08-03, 11:30 PM	#2
Beowulf The quick brown fox ..... Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somewhere in the foothills... Posts: 10,774	Re:How do I get major sap off the 80?? Doug, I've had a can of Ford bug & tar remover that I have used for years. It's almost empty after 30 years but the stuff still works great. I don't know if you can still get it from a Ford dealer but it's worth a phone call. The stuff is probably illegal now but it doesn't hurt the finish as long as you wash it after use then wax it. -B-

10-09-03, 03:17 AM	#3
T Y L E R DUM8HIT Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 2,386	How do I get major sap off the 80?? I drive down to my parents place a few times a year . Their place is like a forest L . Maples flank the drive and this summer I got sapped big time . I hauled my lazy ass to a place that hand washes your truck in and out , and then continued over to wally mart where I purchased a crude vehicle cover . Only takes around 30 secs to put it on or remove . Only the dork factor to contend with ... :-[ :-[ :-[ Tyler As far as Beo's 'Pristine' , you should know he ain't never contended with foreign 'matter's directly as he has quite a layering of plastic wrap about that beast :slap:

10-09-03, 03:23 AM	#4
LINUS IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: PNW - WA Posts: 143	How do I get major sap off the 80?? I've used mineral spirits before to get road tar off the rocker panels on my old Corrado. I didn't see any damage done to the paint, and there were places where the paint wasn't factory. If your paint is fairly durable (eg. -not a respray in the last few months) I wouldn't hesatate trying it on a cool day out of the direct sunlight. Waxed it afterwards and my car looked great. My $.02 .

10-09-03, 06:14 AM	#5
Scamper IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somewhere in NJ Posts: 1,339	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Yup...mineral spirits is the ticket. That's what the bug and tar remover is made of too. It won't hurt your finish.

10-09-03, 08:14 AM	#6
UpNorth IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 13	Re:How do I get major sap off the 80?? The other option would be detailing clay. Mothers makes a kit that should be available locally for about $12-$15. I'm not particularly fond of using really harsh solvents on my paint so I usually use clay for stuff like this. Just make sure you fold it frequently so if it picks up any hard particles you aren't grinding them into the paint.

10-09-03, 08:27 AM	#7
CDN_Cruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,037	How do I get major sap off the 80?? I've also used a 'clay bar' to clean the truck. While I was sceptical at first, it really does work. The downside is that there is a lot of elbow greese to do the job on a truck this size. Cheers, Hugh

10-09-03, 08:38 AM	#8
bkgiii IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Gulf Coast Posts: 469	How do I get major sap off the 80?? My $.03: I've used several things over the years. Our problem down here is usually pine sap and 'love-bugs', both equally bothersome and hard to get off. Focusing on the pine sap, though, in order of removal preference: (1) Mineral spirits. (2) lighter fluid, or, for really really tough globs that are dried as hard as epoxy.... (3) ice. Freeze the heck out of it, then carefully chip at it with a razor blade. then GOTO (1) Oh yeah......the bugs: they particularly like bumpers. If you clean / wash / wax the bumper, spray a little Pam on it.....keeps the bugs from sticking.

10-09-03, 08:40 AM	#9
DanKunz IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Woodstock, GA TLCA# 10893 Posts: 5,359	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Step 1: Dip whole truck in Dupont bedliner. Step 2: I am obsessed with this idea.

10-09-03, 09:03 AM	#10
scottm IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Holland, Michigan Posts: 1,464	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Ha, this reminds me of helping my other bro get heavy sap off a Triumph GT6 he bought for a song. It had sat under maple trees for an eternity, took a whole bottle of rubbing alcohol to discover the paint was flawless. Lots of rubbing alcohol and lots of work. Good luck bro!

10-09-03, 09:22 AM	#11
Jonathan_Ferguson IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Glen Waverley, Victoria, Australia TLCA# June 9th, 2002 Posts: 792	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Easiest way to keep the Car clean is to regulaly use a good quality Wash/Wax. Such as: Armour All - Wash and Wax, Turtle Wax - Wash with Wax and Selly's Wash and Wax. To get Bugs and Tar off, The best I've found to work are: Acetone, Mineral Turpentine and Methylated Spirits. The worst thing I've ever used to clean the Car is with Cut and Polish. >:( Once you start you can never stop using it. :'( After I've given the Car especially good Wash, I put a big splash of Selly's Poly Glaze - Wax into a Bucket and dilute with a bit of warm Water, Then apply with a sponge, Then Hose off with a very light spray. 8) - Only way to not have to keep Cutting and Polishing Dads 1996 Holden Barina(Vauxhall/Opel Corsa). When the Oil Pump Gasket went, Got it replaced at the Holden Dealer and they used a high pressure Water thing that killed the Clear Coat. >:(

10-09-03, 11:34 AM	#12
Desertmaster IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 220	Re:How do I get major sap off the 80?? Bug & Tar Removal Application from any auto store will do, just make sure it does not harm the finish, I have been in your pair of shoes in past with my old Camry. Al

10-09-03, 11:35 AM	#13
TLCObsession IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Bellingham, WA (Lake Samish) Posts: 148	How do I get major sap off the 80?? How about good old Turtle wax bug & tar remover....?

10-09-03, 01:00 PM	#14
Beowulf The quick brown fox ..... Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somewhere in the foothills... Posts: 10,774	Re:How do I get major sap off the 80?? >> Acetone, << Uhhh, I don't think you want to use acetone on any painted surface. Least not the acetone stuff I've got. Not trying to start a firestorm but for waxing there's nothing that I have found that is better than Zaino. Spendy though. Step 1. Remove shrink-wrap Step 2. Wash with liquid Dawn Step 3. Clay bar Step 4. All the Zaino steps Step 5. Reapply shrink-wrap Keeps Pristine .... well... pristine. -B- -B-

10-09-03, 01:01 PM	#15
cruiserdan Parts Shaman (per Romer) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where's my glasses? TLCA# 11332 Posts: 14,195	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Do not use dish soap for regular washing as it strips wax..........

10-09-03, 02:25 PM	#16
sleeoffroad IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 3,939	How do I get major sap off the 80?? [quote author=DanKunz link=board=2;threadid=6109;start=msg49031#msg49031 date=1065706804] Step 1: Dip whole truck in Dupont bedliner. Step 2: I am obsessed with this idea. [/quote] Kinda like this http://www.webphotos.com/list_photos...smi=1&a=122165

10-09-03, 03:00 PM	#17
DanKunz IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Woodstock, GA TLCA# 10893 Posts: 5,359	How do I get major sap off the 80?? huuummmmmina!!! I want that treatment with my factory 2 tone How much did that run if you don't mind me asking Christo?

10-09-03, 03:07 PM	#18
alaskacruiser IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: LA, CA Posts: 1,296	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Christo- absolutely amazing!! Please fill us in on the $$$ of something like that!

10-09-03, 03:10 PM	#19
DanKunz IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Woodstock, GA TLCA# 10893 Posts: 5,359	How do I get major sap off the 80?? oh, and I couldn't resist this one either.... How do I get major sap off the 80?? You ask them nicely to get off or you go very fast around a curve

10-09-03, 04:16 PM	#20
cruiserman IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 1,823	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Doug, Are you talking aphyd mess or stuff from a maple tree? A regular wash will remove aphyd crap.

10-09-03, 04:19 PM	#21
fj40crusher IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Pacific NorthWest TLCA# 11862 Posts: 457	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Years ago a chick I was dating ran over a can of green spray paint that blew up all over her white car. I bought a product from turtle wax, some tar and paint remover stuff that took it right off 1 day later. Couldn't believe it worked as well as it did. Took off all the old road tar too. Didn't appear to hurt the finish either. Needless to say, I was very impressed. Most crap on the market doesn't do what it says it should.

10-09-03, 04:55 PM	#22
sleeoffroad IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 3,939	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Not sure on the cost. It was done by a customer of ours. He is in Texas and has beat the living daylights out of the truck. Decided Line-X was cheaper than paint

10-09-03, 05:00 PM	#23
Photoman IH8MUD Addict Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 941	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Things to try to remove sap; if fresh, mayonnaise, lard. If it's been on for awhile; the ideas above plus WD40, kerosene, and dry ice. Live in Penn's woods. Bill

10-09-03, 08:50 PM	#24
IdahoDoug IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 6,604	Re:How do I get major sap off the 80?? Hey, some great tips. Unless anyone can find a risk, I'm going to use mineral spirits as I suspect it will remain "wet" where the rubbing alcohol I tried dried in seconds and only allows small areas to be done. Since I have about 4 Triumph GT-6s worth of surface area and will be working alone, efficiency is key. What a freaking mess this is. It's definitely sap, and my buddy's white Excursion diesel also got the rear half coated. One week later, and I'd have had a fresh coat of wax on it - grrr. I'll be pulling the Thule rack off to do it, adding to the time/labor. As for clay, I have a bar, but it's fresh so the fine droplets are not hard enough to break off. In addition, that would take an incredible amount of work (see description in initial post). Incredibly, there was enough gentle wind that day that even the sides and all VERTICAL surfaces are coated at about 2/3 the amount of the horizontals..... IdahoDoug

10-10-03, 08:41 AM	#25
cruiserdan Parts Shaman (per Romer) Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Where's my glasses? TLCA# 11332 Posts: 14,195	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Doug, This is a dumb question. Some tree droppings are water soluable, did you try that? D-

10-10-03, 09:55 PM	#26
IdahoDoug IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 6,604	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Well, it pays to be dirty sometimes. When this whole sap thing happened, the truck was filthy and I was planning to wash and wax it the next day. So today I came home early with a gallon of mineral spirits and a spray bottle as well as a large bag o' rags. While washing the truck to get it ready, I was astonished to see the detergent loosening them up, and by the time I was done, it was apparent the sap had been atop the dirt!! So, about 99.3% of it came off as kind of "soft" grit. When I realized it was happening, I immediately dumped the warm soapy water and refilled with super cold soapy water to help discourage it from regripping on the now clean paint. Worked like a charm and areas that it gripped a little better were overcome with a bug sponge (has that cheesecloth texture). I am soooo relieved!! Spent an hour touching up chips instead, so that it's ready to wax later in the weekend. Thanks for all the tips, and I'll be returning the rags and mineral spirits with a very light heart. IdahoDoug

10-10-03, 09:57 PM	#27
DanKunz IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Woodstock, GA TLCA# 10893 Posts: 5,359	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Let this be a lesson to you...never wash your truck!

10-10-03, 10:33 PM	#28
Junk IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: buggerville nj Posts: 5,934 Blog Entries: 1	How do I get major sap off the 80?? best way to get it off? :urinate: Dang Woody and Gumby, got to bring that one back for us :slap:

10-10-03, 11:24 PM	#29
MTNRAT IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fernie B.C. Posts: 1,134	How do I get major sap off the 80?? I would try a sapsucker . Sean

10-10-03, 11:25 PM	#30
IdahoDoug IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Aug 2003 Posts: 6,604	How do I get major sap off the 80?? Hey, wondered where you were and when you'd weigh in on this issue. Heh. IdahoDoug

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