OK - so my car was covered in oak tree sap (whole top surface was bumpy), and I was looking for ways to get rid of it. Several of you gave me ideas, but most involved having to re-wax the car after at least an hour or two of work.

Then I talked to a car-nut I know, and he said "Don't worry, just do this - put it out in a rainstorm and when it's done it will be perfect". He told me that tap-water doesn't work, nor do many products, but that rain works miracles. He found this out the hard way after having serious sap problems with a show car he has. He tried everything, but then it rained...

Well, I didn't believe him, but it rained hard the next day (oak sap covering car was on for 3 days of hot sun at this point). He told me that the harder the rain the better.

IT WORKED. It's got to be the acid in the rain, but whatever it is, it's amazing.

Don't believe me? TRY IT.

And the great thing is, it removes it from the top, rear window, as well as the other surfaces.

 

And no damage to the car?

 

I'm curious to see if it works, but has anyone tried to place an ice-cube on the spots and pick it off after a few minutes of freezing?

 

I always knew that ACID RAIN had some good points. At least the sap came off.

 

Nope - when it stopped raining it was PERFECT. I imagine that the weak acid dissolved the sap.

Regarding the ice-cube test, why would you try? I'd rather dissolve the sap than mechanically remove the sap anyday. Especially since cars get rained on anyway, so it's not like you're subjecting it to any additional "stresses".

 

There are lots of bug/tar/sap remover products out there - did you try any of those? Seems more convenient than waiting for rain.

Also, some of us don't get rain...

 

I bought some bug/tar remover, but didn't use it. Remember also that my entire car was covered, including the vinyl top and rear window. It would have been a LOT of work.

Finally, where I am it does rain

Maybe I should bottle some rain and send it to you.

I just can't believe how well it worked, that it wasn't any work at ALL, and that I don't even have to wax it now (it was waxed before).

 

rain works great....i did the same thing. I think it is just the fact that you get tons of water beating down on your car for a long time that does it...acid rain...that seems like a stretch!!

 

Nope - faucet water doesn't do it. That's why I believe it's the weak acid solution.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by elanderholm
[B]rain works great....i did the same thing.