Removing Sap from a Car Without Damaging the Finish

You found the one open parking spot in the neighborhood and happily parked your new car before anyone else could squeeze in. When you come to get the car it is covered in a gooey mess, which may or may not be tree sap. It is normal to think it is since it came from the tree, but it could also be a substance that gardeners are familiar with, honeydew, and it has nothing to do with a melon.
It is a substance secreted by insects who are making a meal out of the tree itself. Dust and dirt will stick to the honeydew making a bigger mess. You probably have what you need to remove the gunk, whether it be sap or more likely honeydew because sap only runs in the spring, before leaves appear, unless the tree is damaged.

Try these on a small spot first to see how they work and it would be a good idea to keep some in the car. You park your car under trees in more places than by your house and waiting until you get home to remove it will only make the job harder. Hardened sap can scratch the paint and that would be a more complicated problem to fix. So what if you draw a crowd in the mall parking lot. They will probably be great full to you for showing them your tricks.

Try using nail polish remover and cotton balls. Then go over it with a mix of baking soda and water and finally wax. Dampen a terry towel with denatured alcohol, rub it over the spot then wash and wax. Water-soluble paint brush cleaner is another option as is lighter fluid, rubbing alcohol, WD-40 and Skin-So-Soft . Be sure to wash the car afterward if you use any oil.

If you opt to use any of the commercial products on the market, wash and dry the car before you use it. Follow the manufacturers directions and then give the car a wax.

If it happens that you do not get to the car before the sap hardens, or if the sap covers a large area, it will take a bit more work. Try a light duty buffing compound and follow that up with de natured alcohol. Use a light touch to avoid moving the dry sap and scratching the paint. The buff with a good polish and follow up with a waxing.

Sources:

US Auto Parts

Mc Bent

Word Wolf