Removing Pine Sap from a Car

Bug and TAR remover. Several good brand names out there. Turtle wax for one.

There are a number of commercial removers sold, but why does kerosene sound risky?

Use rubbing alcohol and a smooth cloth

kerosene would be harmless. Rubbing alcohol will work very well also.

Correct. GA from me.

Petrol/Gas will also remove it and not damage the paintwork. But is dangerous because of the fumes given off.....

My only suggestion is that whatever solvent you choose, letting it soak in before rubbing is likely going to be a factor.

To not damage the paint you may well need to soak, then chip, then soak and then chip, for pine tar is some tough stuff.

If the car had been waxed prior to the pine sap getting on it, getting it off is likely to be easier and less likely to cause damage.

Scotch bright scouring pads may be of some use, while steel wool is definitely not recommended.

Some damage is likely.

I would suggest that prior to the sap removal you do have on hand a car wax, or car polish to apply as soon as the sap is removed since whatever will dissolve pine sap is likely to dissolve at least common polishing compounds used to make cars shine.

DO NOT USE AN ABRASIVE PAD!!!!!!!!!

Thanks folks,Got some good ideas. I'll try to remember to let you know how it turns out.

Now where did I leave that car???

In the auto care aisle, buy a can of "Bug and Tar Remover", follow it's instructions.

Do what I do ... sun and rain.

DZ

DO NOT use rubbing alcohol. I had a mid 80's Pontiac Gran Prix when I was in college that had a big dollop of pine rosin on the hood, so I tried to use alcohol and a stiff boar bristle brush, the clearcoat turned white and chalky almost immediately. But the Polyurethane clearcoat he used had a slightly yellow tint to it and it changed the paint color enough it really didn't match that well any more. but it still looked better than having a huge white chalky splotch in the middle of the hood. The reaction was catalytic, once alcohol got on a spot, just for a split second, even if you immediately tried to wash it off with soap and water the paint was done for.

Thanks, I was a bit nervous about using rubbing alcohol.

Something happend to my post, a chunk went missing out of the middle. I was saying I ended up having my brother repaint the hood but the polyurethane clearcoat he used changed the color enough to not match well. apparently that part got mangled. I really was NOT drunk when I posted it... I promise...=b

I have had good success with 'Goof Off'.

"I have had good success with 'Goof Off'."

Me too Stubby,

Do they call you Stub, for short?

Goof off huh, I do that really well. Sounds good!

wd 40 works good to do not use a scotch brite pad.

I find that label remover aerosol is brilliant at cleaning tar and resin from floors and carpets.

The use of Kerosene should be fine, and turpentine that is suggested below is maybe a better solvent for this application since it does not volatilize as quickly as Kerosene.

Step Nr. 1 - do this in a shaded area on a warm and humid day and make sure the painted surface is not hot. I would apply the solvent of choice, keep the pine tar moistened, and use only a soft and clean cloth to gently rub the areas.

If this pine tar has been "cooked" by the sun it will be very difficult to remove it. I have found that most automotive waxes contain a bit of petroleum solvent and will dissolve pine tar (and asphalt tar) very slowly. I have used this to remove fresh tar stains from a vehicle. Of course many of these mixes also have a fine abrasive compound as well, and that will help in the removal of the tar.

I express again - use only a clean and soft cloth for the removal of these blemishes. I have seen synthetic automotive scrubbing pads that have a mesh surface, and these might be okay as well. I absolutely would not use an abrasive pad such as Scotch-Brite or its equivalent.

Best Regards,

Ing. Robert Forbus

Thanks Ing. Robert Forbus,

I just need to find the time now to actually do the job.

I stand corrected.

Try using Mayonnaise. But you have to catch it before it dries.

Kerosene in my experience doesn't work, I have tried stronger solvents also to no avail. I did read an article a while back where a fellow used towels that he soaked in hot water and let them sit on the car for a while and was able to get the sap off, haven't tried it myself though. That sap is tough stuff.

Funny this thread has had a long life. I look for the report of the outcome.

Odd what takes up space in your head sometimes.

Even last night at some point I wondered if heating the stuff up with a hair dryer might help, so the hot paper towel trick sounds promising in the same vein.

Do it like my wife hot waxes here legs!!

The car might even make an "OOOWWW" sound, especially if the paint comes off too!!

Most or all new automotive paints are resistant to gasoline / petroleum products. ( I know this as it is a test for automotive paint (Gas soak test). So try gas or kerosene with a Q-tip also try it in an inconspicuous spot first. Good Luck!

Try regular hand lotion. Just get some generic lotion spread it on the car and wipe it off with a rag.

Removing a Pining Sap from a Car, surely just means getting him out of the car, taking his keys and locking it up!!!and not letting him have them back before he gets himself a new girlfriend.....

...or at least sobers up enough to drive.

try using clay bar system. Mothers is a good one. One can find these at auto parts stores. I was amazed at how well this removed embedded surface contaminates from multiples of vehicles.

Hint: the latin word is veni rather than vini (as in "veni, vidi, vici).