potential problem...

That stuff is NASTY! I just found about 6 drops on my 430 Spider including one on the soft top. Thank god I put the top up when I parked. I tried a hot cloth which got most of it off but left a slight residue. So I took it to get a quick detail and they used something to get it off the cloth and the clear coat. Head to the car wash.

 

Typically I've been able to remove with warm water, good quality mild car soap and 100% cotton or micro fiber wash mit. If that doesn't work I would use paint cleaning clay with 'speed shine' all from www.griotsgarage.com

 

sap can be removed with common household cooking oil (corn/peanut, or...its a ferrari, so even virgin olive oil imported from Italy!). rub it gently with a soft clean cloth dipped in the oil, then when sap is all off, remove oil with clean , un oiled part of the cloth. cloth MUST BE BONE DRY!!

 

I've had several different types of sap on my cars.

I've got this tree in the driveway that covers my truck on occasion... yet it's sap will come off with a basic "car wash" type cleaner.

I've also been very familiar with Pine sap (Norway and White pine) which is much nastier. If it's fresh, go with a cleaner type wax or quick swipe of paint thinner/mineral spirits and that will take it off. Followed by replenishing the protective layer of wax (of your choice).

Hardened sap is the most difficult. Start with the least invasive option and work up from there....cleaner wax, bug/tar remover, clay bar, fine cut cleaner, solvent based liquid (paint thiner, etc).

I've taken sap off my cars with as strong a solvent as laquer thinner and had no problems. The key is to know what you are doing and not over use the product.


Most times if the sap is fresh enough it will be disolved with a basic wax.

 

Man, talk about ruining a car! Watch out!!!

Laquer thinner?? Wow, that stuff is loaded with toluene, the main ingredient in PAINT REMOVER! Discussion to be continued, Im sure.......

 

I have used lighter fluid with out any problem. It is also great to remove adhesive residue from labels and tape. Griot's also sells a product to remove sap.

 

Mineral spirits(varsol) is way less harsh than lighter fluid and can be used to remove labels, tar(wont hurt paint), clean paint brushes (If allowed to settle, can be used again), clean parts, engines, etc. and can be washed off. Oh, yes. Almost impossible to ignite. Finally, very inexpensive. Been using it for thirty+ years.

 

Believe it or not, this stuff works wonders! I've used it on a variety of foreign & domestic paints, one stage, two stage, etc... $4
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Detailing clay and lubricant for paint and windows. Works great and it is safe too if used with the proper lubricant.

 

Ken, it USED to be inexpensive.....so cheap,house painters (I was one once) switched from pure gum turp to it almost exclusively starting around, say, mid 1970's, when turp went up in price. But recently, say, 2 yrs ago, min spir shot up from 2.99/gal to about 8-9.00/gal now, cuz its a petrol derivative.

But, it is a great solvent! Watch out when contacting rubber, though.

 

Hey, dont forget about Naphtha (not NAPA) based products. You probably have some in your garage now!! Naphtha is the choice for a lot of stain/gum/tar removers.

 

What works well for road tar is to spray a little WD40 on a clean cloth and wipe lightly.
Then use regular car washing liquid soap (mixed with water in a clean bucket) to get the remaining oil film off.

 

I own a detail shop. Take isopropyl alcohol on a soft rag and slowly melt the sap off. If the sap has already hardened, break the top off with your fingernail or blast it with your 160 degree hot water pressure washer like we do. Then slowly rub of the sap like you are melting a jolly rancher. Alcohol is a mild solvent so you will have to re-wax after using it.