I detailed an elderly ladies 5 year old Toyota Avalon yesterday. She parks it outside under a tree and has not had it detailed for 5 years. The sap was unbelieveable. I tried tarminator and then a light sample of laquer thinner but it didnt budge. I ultimately had to clay bar the entire car and it took me 4 hours as it was everywhere. My fingers were numb last night and at 65 I have a little arthuritis so I was popping Tylenol with arthuritis every 4 hours. Is there an easier way to remove this stuff. I know my detail supplier stocks a more aggressive clay and I saw that Griots sells an attachment that fits on the Porter Cable DA machine I use. The clay fits inside a pad and allows for machine use. The car came out great after getting all of the sap off then polish and Klasse but it took me 10 hours. I could barely get my hands around the multiple Corona's I drank after I got home.

 

i think letting it soak in some APC would help

 

WD-40 was recently recommended to me for tree sap.

 

This is when plastic razor blades are your friend. I just removed all the sap and bird doodoo of the wifeys van a coupe weeks ago.

Spray the area with Tarminator, let dwell for about 2 minutes, scrap with plastic razor blade, spray again and wipe with a mf towel. Then proceed to clay.

Hope this helps, and hope your hands feel better.

 

I will definitely experiment with these suggestions, where do you purchase plastic razor blades. Hands are better today, thanks guys.

 

I've had good luck rubbing a mechanic's waterless hand cleaner over the paint and letting it sit for a while, even overnight. It's thick enough to cling to vertical surfaces, rinses off with water, and dissolves most saps, greases, etc.

Of course, NO PUMICE, and I prefer the old-fashioned stinky stuff to the newer citrus.

Of course, I'm adding the standard "test in an inconspicuous place before using" disclaimer.

 

Just went through the sap saga with my '07 Accord. 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a mirofiber towel took it off easily without damaging the finish.

 

i was gonna suggest the beer remedy for your hands, but i see that you already got that one !!

and the technical stuff was handled by our fellow wackos above-