How do I remove maple sap from car paintwork?

August 16, 2009 11:47 AM

Outside my house is a maple tree. I'm a lazy bastard who doesn't like to wash the car too often. Now, the car is covered in maple sap, which is ingrained with dirt. How do I get it off?

Taking the car through a car wash simply polishes the stuff so it's a nice shiny sap/dirt mixture. Last time I was in this situation, I had someone bring me some of those melamine sponges from the USA , and that got it off, but it was a lot of hard work.

Is there an easier way to do it that won't strip off the paintwork in the process?

posted by PeterMcDermott to home & garden (10 comments total)

Ew. The maker of Goo Gone claims it removes chewing gum, grease, tar, stickers, labels, tape residue, oil, blood, lipstick and mascara, shoe polish, crayon, bumper stickers.
posted by HotPatatta at 12:10 PM on August 16

WD-40. Seriously.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 12:12 PM on August 16

Finish up with a Clay Bar system if you still feel residual stuff. Clay bars will make the surface of the car feel as smooth as glass.
posted by ijoyner at 12:28 PM on August 16

Seconding WD-40.
Or Pam.
posted by SLC Mom at 12:38 PM on August 16

2nding Goo Gone, worked for me with pine sap on a vehicle. I'm not sure how widely available it is in the UK but this place has it...
posted by masher at 2:18 PM on August 16

I can't imagine going over an entire car with a rattlecan of WD-40, especially if this is going to be a recurring issue. A friend who does auto detailing recommends washing the car with Dawn Dishwashing soap; apparently it's high PH will help strip all that stuff off (including any old wax). Do your washing in the shade so the soap can soak a little bit without drying, give it a good scrubbing, rinse, then use a claybar to get any residual stuff off. Claybars can leave some residue so another wash might be necessary, and after all that you might want to consider a coat of wax to make it easier to wash next time.
posted by bizwank at 2:20 PM on August 16

I would take a close look at those maple leaves. I've never heard of an unwounded tree dripping sap, but aphids can excrete a sticky substance that will make a mess of vehicles. A healthy aphid population on the tree can be taken care of by spraying, and then you can park underneath again.
posted by fish tick at 4:45 PM on August 16

Agree that this is most likely some type of pest poop. We had an ash tree that did something similar, and the problem was solved by having an arborist treat it during a routine pruning.
posted by padraigin at 5:02 PM on August 16

You used a magic eraser on your paint? Ouch. Those can easily key the paint.

Any tar remover at your local auto parts store.

Buy a car cover while you're there.
posted by luckypozzo at 5:31 PM on August 16

Most things that will dissolve the sap (like rubbing or isopropyl alcohol) also remove the wax, so you will need to wash and wax your car again afterward.
posted by smackfu at 6:28 AM on August 17