How to Remove Sap From Car Paint

Tree sap is sticky and can be tough to remove from any surface. When the tree sap is on your car's shiny paint job, it is important to use a removal method that will not scratch or damage your vehicle paint. Removing tree sap takes some old-fashioned "elbow grease" regardless of the method used, but it can be done without causing car damage.

Mineral Spirits

• 1

  Dip a clean cloth lightly in a bottle of mineral spirits (found at auto parts stores.)

• 2

  Rub the cloth containing the mineral spirits gently onto the tree sap, using a circular motion, until the tree sap has been loosened. With dried tree sap, this may take more than one application.

• 3

  Remove all loosened tree sap and excess mineral spirits with a clean cloth. Wipe the area gently until there is no trace of sap or mineral spirits.

• 4

  Wash and dry the vehicle. US Auto Parts recommends that you apply wax to the area that was affected by tree sap.

WD-40

• 1

  Spray WD-40 directly onto the area of your car covered in tree sap.

• 2

  Leave the WD-40 on the tree sap for five minutes, allowing it sufficient time to absorb.

• 3

  Wipe away the tree sap and excess WD-40 with a clean cloth.

• 4

  Apply wax to the area whee the tree sap was removed. The Car Tips website cautions that "WD-40 may remove your vehicle's wax, but it won't hurt the finish."

Denatured Alcohol

• 1

  Apply denatured alcohol to a clean cloth.

• 2

  Rub the denatured alcohol gently onto the tree sap. Continue to reapply fresh alcohol until the tree sap begins to loosen.

• 3

  Wipe away tree sap as it loosens. This may take some time since the denatured alcohol will slowly work into the tree sap.

• 4

  Clean away all tree sap and denatured alcohol residue.

• 5

  Wash and dry vehicle. Wax the affected area to help protect the car finish in the future.