Can Dried Tree Sap Damage Car Paint?

Judy
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts

June 28, 20180 found this helpful

It could be. Any sap, bird drippings or other foreign matter should be washed off as soon as possible. Do not delay cleaning the car.

Pghgirl40
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks

June 28, 20180 found this helpful

It is hard to tell what damage has been done. Just is correct that it is best to get the car cleaned sooner rather than later.

What's important is to be sure the removal process doesn't cause the damage vs the sap itself. Sap is like glue so you need to be careful not to cause scratches when trying to remove it.

This site gives the least expensive and safest to the finish start the removal process:

m.wikihow.com/Remove-Tree-Sap-From-Your-Car

cybergrannie
Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks

June 30, 20180 found this helpful

Auto refinisher's magazine says the sap may not have damaged the paint - yet - but you should try to remove it as soon as possible.

• There are several ways to do this but we have always washed our car and then used Goof Off and the sap/tar usually came right off.
• There are several commercial sap cleaning/removal products available from almost any retail store but for sure from an auto parts store.
• Here is a good site to check for instructions:
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• www.yourmechanic.com/.../how-to-remove-sap-from-a-car

15mhhm15
Diamond Post Medal for All Time! 1,298 Posts

June 30, 20180 found this helpful

Not good to have car being covered with tree sap for about 2 months. Best to give your car a good clean! Perhaps cover it if you're not using it.