can't get sap off car

[garth_angst]

I don't know if it's sap, some bird with mega turds or some sort of glue grease from a vandal, but it's on my hood and my front window. It's not a lot, but I am using soap and it's just not coming off. If I put a lot of soap on and then use my fingernail, it does come off, but it is really persistent. How do I get this off my car without ruining the paint? I used alcohol on the glass as I know it's safe there.

 

[cbaaz]

I don't know if it's sap, some bird with mega turds or some sort of glue grease from a vandal, but it's on my hood and my front window. It's not a lot, but I am using soap and it's just not coming off. If I put a lot of soap on and then use my fingernail, it does come off, but it is really persistent. How do I get this off my car without ruining the paint? I used alcohol on the glass as I know it's safe there.

Rubbing alcohol - preferably 90+%. Buy at any drug store. Use soft rag. Keep the sap wet with the alcohol for a couple of minutes. It will come off with very light rubbing.

 

[hcdavis3]

I don't know if it's sap, some bird with mega turds or some sort of glue grease from a vandal, but it's on my hood and my front window. It's not a lot, but I am using soap and it's just not coming off. If I put a lot of soap on and then use my fingernail, it does come off, but it is really persistent. How do I get this off my car without ruining the paint? I used alcohol on the glass as I know it's safe there.

Try spraying a little WD 40 on the spot. Let it sit for 5 or so minutes, and then wipe it off. A little alcohol on a rag will clean the WD 40 off. Yesterday after a meeting, my car was covered in seagull *sugar*. I had to go to the car wash. Now we have avian Tesla haters.

 

[DOCAL]

I've used Goo Gone successfully in the past.

 

[ewoodrick]

Warm water, let it set to start warming and dissolving and then standard soap.

The biggest secret is always get it off ASAP, before it can harden.

Razor blade may also be used on exterior glass.

 

[Silicon Desert]

I've used Goo Gone successfully in the past.

Ditto, I've done the same and it didn't seem to affect the paint or coating. Of course I use some soap after that.
Then I learned not to park under trees at that time of the year which drop sap on the car.

 

[R1Fast]

I've used Goo Gone successfully in the past.

+1 on this. Goo-Gone or a mix of 50/50 IPA and white vinegar for a homemade solution.

This is a good example of why ceramic coatings are so popular. Most sap, bugs, poop or other contaminants are no match for ceramic + a good tar remover and decon (like CQuartz, TarX, IronX).

 

[SW2Fiddler]

My CQuartz guy recommends this for getting bug gunk etc. off of that vulnerable, pre-CQuartz, paint:
(I use and recommend it too and it works on PINE SAP!!)

 

[EVS Motors]

Do you have a picture?

 

[garth_angst]

Do you have a picture?

Not really. It won't show up in a photo. I used WD-40 as suggested. Mostly all gone. I was going to try a Goo-Gone alternative that I have but it says may compromise some car paint. Yikes! So I went with the WD-40.

 

[SMAlset]

Warm water, let it set to start warming and dissolving and then standard soap.

The biggest secret is always get it off ASAP, before it can harden.

Razor blade may also be used on exterior glass.

If trying a razor blade use caution as you can scratch the windshield. The wrong angle and you'll end up with tiny cut lines.

 

[Kleenerth3]

WD-40

My favorite. Real gentle on most of the exterior esp.compared to GooGone.