Paint on car has something like tree spit

D

Don S

Senior Member
I think I must have parked under a tree and got spit on by the tree. It is not sticky like I have had before , but very fine to the feel. I have tried water and soap, windex , various polishes , alcohol ,( not the drinking type ) . The paint is in really good condition , Ditzler enamel painted nearly 50 years ago , so I don’t want to be too aggressive . Any ideas ?

Thanks. Don S
 
Don S said:
I think I must have parked under a tree and got spit on by the tree. It is not sticky like I have had before , but very fine to the feel. I have tried water and soap, windex , various polishes , alcohol ,( not the drinking type ) . The paint is in really good condition , Ditzler enamel painted nearly 50 years ago , so I don’t want to be too aggressive . Any ideas ?

Thanks. Don S
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I have used Chemical Guys Tree Sap Remover for Car with good results.
 
Regular paint thinner works great on removing tar. I would try it on a small area to if it works. It should not affect the paint just use soap and water afterwards.
 
Had some solvent in the shop,it works. I have a lot of work ahead of me , thanks for your suggestions.

Don S
 
Old31, I have no experience with a clay bar ,and or how it would be used . I am 89 ,familiar with older products ,like varsol, solvent and, and white gas .

Don S
 
Don, 89, good for you.

You do not have to use their spray. Any spray wax or glaze works well with a clay bar. I happen to use Meguiar's bars.

Because I have not seen your paint, I am not saying that the clay bar is better, just something to consider as it might be less abrasive on old paints

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3CL04f2NAc
 
Turpentine is a highly effective solvent for tree sap because it is derived from pine resin. To use it, apply a small amount to a soft cloth, hold it against the sap to soften it, and gently wipe until dissolved. Always wash the area thoroughly with soap and water afterward.
 
Sometimes, plain mineral spirits work. It depends on the type of sap. Sap was and still is used for making some forms of paint. They are referred to as paint gums. Even boiled linseed gets hard as a rock and it comes from flax seed. It takes some of them a long time to dry but if it sets out in the hot sun it speeds up the process.
 
Try hand sanitizer. It is the only thing I found to remove pine pitch. Isopropyl alcohol won't touch it. Hand sanitizer contains ethyl alcohol or ethanol. Also tried paint thinner and wd 40. Ethanol works on pine pitch.
 
Pure gum turpentine is made from the sap of pine trees, hence the refreshing smell. I have never found a sap it will not remove and we have some trees you guys don't know.
 
An update on my paint issue, spent most of yesterday cleaning the paint with solvent. Not an easy project. Several steps ,cleaning the paint with warm water ,drying, then applying the solvent ,leave it on for a few minutes,the wash it off with soap and water,rinsing with clean water,wiping the area dry with a microfibre cloth. I completed this process on my car yesterday and today applied Adam’s detailer polish for a nice finish .
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and support .
Don S
 
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