Having trees is a delightful way to increase the beauty and value of your home. But having some kinds of trees can mean having tree sap, too. Tree sap can drip onto whatever is below, and unfortunately, sometimes that can be your car. Left alone for any amount of time, tree sap can be unsightly and sticky at best. At worst, it can ruin your car’s paint and lead to rust and other damage. Leaving it there isn’t a practical alternative, but in most cases, soap and water alone won’t do the trick. So, what can you do to deal with the sticky situation?
Important Tips for Removing Tree Sap from Your Car
- Get the sap off as soon as possible. The most important thing to remember is that the longer you wait, the more difficult it will be to remove the residue, and the more damage is likely to be done. On warm days, sap can eventually eat through your car’s paint job, because heat will accelerate the way the sap degrades the paint on your car.
- Wash your car thoroughly. This will remove any lingering grime or sediment in the area you’ll be working in, so that you do not grind dirt into the paint as you’re removing the sap, damaging the paint further.
- Dab some rubbing alcohol on a soft rag or microfiber cloth. That and a bit of elbow grease may be all you need to get the job done.
- If that doesn’t work, try using a tree-sap or bug-and-tar removal product, available at most auto parts and hardware stores. It’s best to test the removal product on a small spot of paint, because it’s possible that the sap removal product could damage the car’s clearcoat and possibly the paint underneath. If the paint looks okay after testing, expand your work area. Because these products can remove paint protectants along with the sap, start by using the product sparingly, and only use a product recommended by a car care expert.
- Clean the area you worked on again after the sap is removed. Wash with soap and water immediately after removing the tree sap. After that, it’s a good idea to apply a coat of wax to protect those areas.
Caring for Your Sappy Trees
Once you’ve cleaned the sap off of your car, turn your focus to the trees that dripped the sap and give them your attention. How long has it been since those trees were trimmed or looked over by a tree service professional? Maintaining your trees and keeping them healthy is a good way to make sure that the next thing your trees drop on your car isn’t a heavy branch. Call in your local tree service experts for advice on caring for your trees, whether or nor they’re sappy ones.
