How to remove tree sap from your car

Parking your car near trees and bushes can be unavoidable at times, but it often comes with the risk of getting your car covered in tree sap, which is both messy and can damage a car’s paintwork. Thankfully, removing tree sap from your car should be fairly straightforward with the right car cleaning products, while also protecting the paintwork in the future. So, let’s take a look at the best ways to remove tree sap from your car. 

Before we begin, it’s important to remember that the longer you leave tree sap on your car's paintwork, the harder it is to remove and the more likely it is to do lasting damage to the paint surface. Removing stubborn tree sap or resin should always be done as soon as possible. Thankfully, there are plenty of car shampoos and spray-on cleaners that can help loosen these contaminants prior to you cleaning your car. Before you try these methods, it’s essential to understand what tree sap looks like, how to remove it safely and how to protect and prevent it from damaging your paintwork. 

What does tree sap look like on a car?

Tree sap on a car is often clear and translucent, or amber in colour and is sticky to the touch. You might not notice it from a distance, but when you get up close, you’ll notice that sap can make car paint and glass surfaces look dull and textured, rather than smooth and shiny. 

How to remove tree sap from a car without damaging paint

Removing tree sap from your car without damaging your paintwork should be fairly easy and can be done with regular car cleaning products – it just requires some time and a little elbow grease.

1. Wash your car with car shampoo. If the tree sap is still wet or sticky to the touch, washing your car with a high-foaming car shampoo and car wash mitt or microfibre cloth should remove it. You may need to increase the concentration of shampoo where there are areas of build up, and a second wash may be required to remove more stubborn areas of sap.
2. Use warm water. Warm water can help soften tree sap and requires less rubbing with a cloth.
3. Be gentle with the car wash mitt or cloth. Rubbing too hard can cause scratches to the paint surface, especially if bits of grit or dust gets in between the fibres of the cloth. Rinse and turn the cloth regularly to prevent grit build up.
4. Use tree sap removal sprays or wipes. In between washes, using a tree sap removal spray or wipes can help remove the majority of the sap and are designed not to damage the paint work. Using a bug and tar removal spray can also help cut through the sap.
5. Use a clay bar. For areas of hardened or stubborn tree sap, use a clay bar to safely remove it, while leaving behind a smooth finish. Simply tear off some of the clay and work it in your hands until it's soft, spray the contaminated area with a mixture of car shampoo and water and work the clay over the area, applying light pressure. Apply more water and shampoo regularly and don’t forget to reseal or wax the paintwork afterwards.

Once you have cleaned your car and removed the tree sap, using a car wax and sealant or a ceramic coat will help to create a barrier between your car's paintwork and the elements. Not only will it make your car look nice and shiny, but it will also make removing tree sap easier in the future.

How to prevent tree sap on car surfaces

While it’s not entirely possible to prevent your car getting covered in tree sap, there are ways you can protect your car's paintwork and surfaces from the potential damage.

Regularly washing your car will help prevent sap building up over time, making it easier to remove. Once tree sap hardens and bakes on to the paint surface, the more difficult it is to remove. Hardened tree sap can also damage the paint finish and clear coat, resulting in staining or blemishes.

Alongside regular washing, you can further protect your car by applying a ceramic glaze, paint sealant or car wax when your car has been cleaned. This will help form a protective layer between the surface of the car and the sap, also making it easier to remove the next time you wash your car.

Car glass cleaners are also effective at removing sap from windscreens, windows and plastics in between washes.

Removing tree sap from a car FAQs

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