New guy battling old tree sap

[50spence]

This is the spot of sap on the hood of my 2011 Forester. Is there any hope to save this? Tarminator got some, but obviously most of it still remains. I'm fairly new to detailing, so what should I do? Would I be better off taking it to a professional?

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/05/by4ety9u.jpg

[Just02896]

Have you tried paint thinner or mineral spirits?
WD-40 and fingernail polish remover may also work. If you try using fingernail polish remover, be sure to rinse the are with a mixture of baking soda and water to neutralize the polish remover!

I've also used lighter fluid with great success.

[50spence]

No, Tarminator is all I've tried because I knew it'd be safe on my paint and clear coat.

[Quiksilver5882]

I definitely would not use paint thinner on your car! If tarminator is not working, try goo gone with a microfiber towel. Don't scrub it. Let it soak and then try to remove the sap.

[50spence]

When you say soak, should I spray directly on the spot or saturate the microfiber then let it sit on top? How long should I let it soak for?

[Pureshine]

I use Goof off and a Q-tip works great for things like this.

[Quiksilver5882]

When you say soak, should I spray directly on the spot or saturate the microfiber then let it sit on top? How long should I let it soak for?


Saturate a microfiber towel with it and tab it on the sap. Let it sit for five minutes or so and see if it will come off. Add product to the microfiber towel as needed.

[Just02896]

I've used paint thinner before as a last resort. NOT LACQUER THINNER! Regular paint thinner is pretty weak. IF you have to resort to using it, do so only on the tar itself and don't let it linger on the paint!

[UglyBetty]

I'm no expert, but that doesn't look like tree sap to me.

Are you sure it isn't some kind of paint defect / bubbling of the paint?

[allenk4]

If it's an isolated blob of tree sap..start with a plastic razorblade

[50spence]

I'll go get a can of goof off and try that. Ok, so worst case scenario, what if none of that works? What then?

[ycdriveclean]

I've used paint thinner before as a last resort. NOT LACQUER THINNER! Regular paint thinner is pretty weak. IF you have to resort to using it, do so only on the tar itself and don't let it linger on the paint!

why not lacquer thinner?

[Chris@AutoCleanse]

If it's an isolated blob of tree sap..start with a plastic razorblade

After soaking it for a while, carefully use a plastic razor blade and it should pop right off. I have had a couple cars with these size spots and this is what I did to remove them. Follow up with a polish if necessay. The piece should come off in 2 or 3 chunks. Just my 2 cents. Good luck

[50spence]

I'm no expert, but that doesn't look like tree sap to me.

Are you sure it isn't some kind of paint defect / bubbling of the paint?

I'm pretty sure it's sap. When I hit it with the Tarminator there's a faint brown spot left on the microfiber. If it is some kind of paint defect, I'm not knowledgeable enough to know.

[mark98xlt]

Put a couple drops of purrell on it or any of the instant hand sanitizers, let it sit for 10 mins then try wiping it off with a microfiber towel