How to Remove Tree Sap from Your Car

Parking under a shady tree on a hot day may seem like a good idea at the moment, until you return to find tree sap on your car! And as you’ll notice the second you touch it, it doesn’t come off very quickly—unless you have the right products. Fortunately, you have a few options when it comes to an effective tree sap remover. So if you’re interested in learning how to remove tree sap from your car, here are some ideas on getting started.

Wash Your Car

There may be a few different ways to remove tree sap from car surfaces, but they all start with a car wash. After all, if the sap isn’t fully dry yet, you may be able to remove it with some hot water and soap. Just make sure you have all the right car wash accessories first, including car wash soap and microfiber towels. Gently scrub extra where the tree sap is to see if you can get it off without using a specialty tree sap remover. If it’s still there after the car wash, you’re ready to move on to the next step of figuring out how to remove tree sap.

Choose Which Tree Sap Remover to Use

One of the simplest ways to remove tree sap from the car is to buy a specialty tree sap remover at the store. This type of product should take only minutes to apply so you see results quickly.

Another option is to use a clay bar or mitt, as this product is known for easily removing any rough impurities from an otherwise smooth surface, all without scratching the paint. Whether you use a clay bar or clay mitt, be sure to get it wet with soapy water before you rub it on the dried tree sap. Once the sap is gone, rinse the area with clean water.

How NOT to Remove Tree Sap

As you try to figure out how to remove tree sap, you might find some DIY options that use products you probably already have at home. As tempting as it may be to use items you have around the house, you should be cautious because many of them could scratch your paint.

For example, some people claim that items like lighter fluid, hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, or nail polish remover can remove sap. And in some cases, they might, but they can also damage the paint and the clear coat on your car, especially if you don’t wipe them off right away.

Another suggestion some people have for how to remove tree sap is to scrub the spot with baking soda. And while this might seem harmless, it’s important to refrain from scrubbing your car too hard with anything that could cause damage. The point is to remove tree sap, not take off the paint or leave scratches behind.

Preventing Tree Sap Problems

Now that you know how to remove tree sap, you should learn how to prevent the problem in the first place. To start, try to avoid parking near trees that are known for producing lots of sap, such as birch, maple, and walnut trees.

Another way to prevent sap from getting on your car is to make sure it always has a protective coating of wax. After all, waxing your car puts a barrier between the paint and any destructive issues, like tree sap, acid rain, and salt. So if you don’t want to have to spend time trying to figure out how to remove tree sap from a car, waxing the surface is a good start!