How to remove dried pine sap without car damage

Tree or pine sap does more harm than the unsightly look it gives a car. The dried sap can hamper driving visibility on the windshield. Hardened tree sap can also damage the paintwork as it is incredibly challenging to remove. That is why I always advise that pine sap be removed immediately to prevent drying. Unfortunately, wet pine sap is extra tough to detect on cars.

As such, there may be circumstances where pine tree sap may dry up without you having any opportunity to deal with it timeously. This guide will explain how to remove dried pine sap from a car without damaging the paint. Critical steps in this tutorial include carwashing, gently soaking and disintegrating the pine sap, rewashing and waxing your vehicle.

Many “experts” are keen to recommend nail polish, mineral spirits or tar remover for pine sap removal. Sadly, all these items are very limited in what they can do and are often likely to damage your car paint in the process. For example, nail polish and lighter fluid cannot remove dried pine sap without damaging the paint. Mineral spirit is also ineffect with dried pine sap.

Therefore, the tools needed to remove dried pine sap from your car are listed below. You can use any available options to carry out the pine sap removal procedure. I shall explain further along.

The primary stage of your pine sap removal procedure is washing the car. By doing so, you will be able to spot exactly where the sap is and inspect it by washing off the dirt and debris. You can also get rid of the sap through this process. Note that dried pine sap is unlikely to be entirely removed through washing. However, you will be getting rid of particles that might interfere with the removal process by cleaning the car.

Once you have located the sap on your car paint, the next step is to soak the tree sap. To do this, you will need to choose your cleaning agent. As listed above, there are many options for soaking, including rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, WD40 and commercial cleaner. The soaking procedure for each of these materials is distinct.

I highly recommend hot water treatment for extra hardened pine sap that wouldn’t go away. This softens up the sap making it easy to remove. Dampen a microfiber cloth with hot water and alcohol. Use the material to scrub the affected areas.

Much has been said about using nail polish to get rid of pine sap. Although nail polish is a great wet pine sap remover, it does more harm than good to dried pine sap. When pine sap is still wet, it is sticky. In such a circumstance, the ideal solution is a nail polish remover with a bit of elbow grease. Apply them on a cotton ball and rub the affected areas in a circular motion. After removing the pine sap, use a baking soda and water paste to clean the areas where you used nail polish mix. To create this paste, mix a cup of baking soda with three cups of hot water.

After removing the pine sap, it is time to rewash and wax your car. This removes any residues and applies a new layer of protection to your vehicle.

There you have it, a detailed guide on removing dried pine sap from a car without damaging the paint. This tutorial should help you get rid of the most stubborn sap with relative ease. Most importantly, you will protect your paint from damage, leaving your car looking as good as new.

Donald Casey is the Editor-in-Chief of dccarcare.com. He has 24 years of experience in car care and car detailing. He can start with something that’s neglected and will not stop until it’s perfect. Currently, he focuses his time on sharing his knowledge & expertise. Visit his blog to get new content.