"Clean with soap and water immediately after removal of the tree sap or bird droppings," Taljan says. It's important to clean the area you worked on once the sap is removed. Taljan says it's important to use them in a shady area and in minimal amounts. If the paint looks okay after testing, expand your work area.īecause these products can remove paint protectants along with the sap, be judicious in how much you use. "That's because it can damage the clearcoat and possibly the paint underneath." If this happens, it will appear as discoloration of the paint or streaking. "It's best to test any cleaner or removal product out on a small spot of paint," Ibbotson says. If that doesn't work, move on to a specialized tree-sap or bug-and-tar removal product, available at auto parts and hardware stores. That may be all you need to get the job done. "If the area around the sap is dirty, you'll just be grinding the dirt into the paint as you try to remove the sap."ĭab some rubbing alcohol on a cloth as your first line of attack. "This removes any sediment and grime from the area you will be working in," says Chris Jones, an automotive testing technician at CR's Auto Test Center. You can prevent damage by safely removing those and other elements from your car's finish as soon as possible. "In addition, clearcoat formulations have been designed to have greater resistance to chemical attacks."ĭon't let tree sap or bird droppings linger for days. "Newer finishes are designed to resist a wide range of environmental assaults ranging from acid rain to abrasive dust," Taljan says.
The finish on today's cars holds up much better than paint jobs from 20 years ago. "Bird droppings are another source of potential damage since they act similarly to the tree sap, shrinking and stressing the car's finish," he adds.
"When the sun arrives it scorches the eggs, and the decomposing material can etch certain automotive finishes. "There have been instances in which insects lay eggs on automobiles," says Taljan. Tree sap isn't the only overhead threat insects can be just as damaging. Many car wash professionals claim that copious amounts of isopropyl alcohol do a great job of clearing up tree sap and other organic stains. That tension can end up cracking a car's finish. Tree sap drops shrink over time, and as they shrink they create stress on your car's finish because of that strong bond with the paint, says Dennis Taljan, a general manager at PPG, which produces car paints and other products. Sap can damage your car because of how it bonds with the vehicle's surface. This is why sap starts flowing from a broken branch or cut in the tree during springtime. "Freezing nights and sunny days above 32 degrees promote the flow of sap after dormancy, although pine trees will ooze anytime of the year," Jascot says. "Sap will be visible on the surface or bark of a tree flowing from a wound, such as a saw cut or natural injury or disease," says Michael Jascot, a maintenance specialist at CR's test track who holds a degree in horticulture. Tree sap is transported in tree veins and consists of nutrients, hormones, water, and sugars.
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