Cleaning Solution for Tree Sap and Stains

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by buckaroo, Mar 25, 2012.

  1. buckaroo

    buckaroo Junior Member

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    I took my v in to be washed at Mr. Clean's car wash. It is the Brilliant Pearl color. When they finished I noticed little brown specks on the front of the car which came off with some elbow grease but I realized that they were probably some debris from some trees as I park under them at work. Anyone have some suggestions on a cleaner that will get off the tree residue but not harm the finish?
     
    #1 buckaroo, Mar 25, 2012
  2. Wanderer

    Wanderer Hybrid neophyte

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    There are a number of commercial solutions out there from clay bars (a relatively new thing I haven't tried) to various removers.

    For sap I use rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and apply moderate pressure. It may take several applications. Other things you see down south is bacon grease or lard and yes it works but messy.

    Plan to reapply wax to the area once removed.
    W
     
    #2 Wanderer, Mar 25, 2012
  3. buckaroo

    buckaroo Junior Member

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    Thanks but I did not feel like reapplying wax at this time.
     
    #3 buckaroo, Mar 27, 2012
  4. toyolover

    toyolover Member

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    Bug and Tar Remover seems to work fine.
     
    #4 toyolover, Apr 10, 2012
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Chemist's rule-of-thumb is like-dissolves-like. So that puts us with turpentine being perfect sovent, but I probably do not recommend it. I sometimes use "Oops" which is a lighter fluid type solvent. Sometimes I gob car wax on there as the solvent. I do not claim to know how to remove without affecting wax layer.

    One time my wife drove 100-miles behind a leaky tar truck. Or that's my guess anyways. I used half a bottle of Black Magic Liquid Wax Wet Shine to get it off.
     
    #5 wjtracy, Apr 12, 2012
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What finally worked for me: moisten a cloth with turpentine, and then add a dollup of liquid car wax. We'd had a fresh partial repaint (that very same day), and had gone to the movies. For some reason there were some vacant parking spots along a nearby side street....

    When we came back after the movie the car was totalled with pitch ;|
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Apr 12, 2012
  7. buckaroo

    buckaroo Junior Member

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    I work at a state DMV in the Lemon Law section and my mechanic advisors said use WD-40 and let the car sit out in the sun before you use it to soften the stain. Using WD-40 will not require reapplying wax. Going to test theory.
     
    #7 buckaroo, Apr 13, 2012
  8. Guill

    Guill Member

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    Do a search on Autopia.org. Lot's of great information on that site; Autopia is to detailing what Priuschat is to the Prius. I parked our old Honda Odyssey under a fir tree once and had to clean off a significant amount of tree sap. If I recall correctly I just used Dawn liquid dish detergent.
     
    #8 Guill, Apr 15, 2012
  9. Guill

    Guill Member

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    I just did a quick search for "tree sap" on Autopia.org and came up with 64 threads. Among other remedies, they recommend Denatured alcohol.
     
    #9 Guill, Apr 15, 2012
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