Help w/ Tree Sap Removal? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

DCN M5 · 12th July 2006, 06:23

I purchased a cover this week which is preventing "new" pine tree sap from getting on the paint. But I have about 5 or so blotches of the stuff on my black paint and can't get if off for the life of me.

I'm going mad.

Suggestions .... please ...

DCN

91 M5
88 911

bobz · 12th July 2006, 09:24

If they have only been there a short time then you can use detailing clay to remove it.

Remeber to use a lot of lubrication.

BobZ

farrell · 12th July 2006, 10:12

Yes
You will have to be quick to remove bird droppings & tree sap alike.
The lime & natural acids present in both are killers for paint & quickly burn through or discolour.
detailing clay is a great idea as its not to aggressive when watered down with spittle etc.
I tend to use a cutting compund on my finger tips to try & skim off the damage which should reduce the chance of removing too much material.
Remember that you are removing the clearcoat & you do not want to break through in to the colour coat.

A couple of local repairs I have undertaken could not be completely removed on my roof panel so I had to blow in some localised clear coat & feather it out & polish it back to lose the damage but at certain viewing angles you can just see the repair.

Farrell

jrobbo · 12th July 2006, 10:39

Yep, my first choice would be detailing clay and quick detailer as the lubricant. If that doesn't work, I would try Meguiars Deep Crystal System Pain Cleaner (applied with an orbital polisher or by hand) and if that doesn't work, I would probably try Meguiars's ScratchX (applied by hand). If that still didn't work, I would resort to Meguiars #83 applied with the oribital polisher. If that doesn't work, then i'd just get used to having it there, coz it's not coming off!

Regards

John

milesr3 · 12th July 2006, 11:18

I have a copy of an Autoexpress Magazine in front of me (Weekly UK motoring mag), which has a review of bug removers.

The best buy was Turtle Wax Platinum Series Tar, Tree Sap and Insect Remover. It says 'Don't let the mouthful of a title put you off - this cleaner proved simply astounding. Despite its pungent scent, itgot to work fast and managed to shift most of the bugs with one wipe/ After three, the panel was completel spotless and had a smooth wax-like finish. The instructions recommended rinsing with water and then buffing, but we found this last stage wasn't required. Our best buy.'

DCN M5 · 12th July 2006, 16:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobz

If they have only been there a short time then you can use detailing clay to remove it.

BobZ

Please define "short time". I would say I am looking at about 30 days.

DCN

91 M5
88 911

bobz · 12th July 2006, 16:23

If 30 days then I would look at jrobbos alternatives, however you could be lucky and gotten bird poo from a bird that had been taking antacids?

BobZ

farrell · 12th July 2006, 16:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobz

however you could be lucky and gotten bird poo from a bird that had been taking antacids?

BobZ

Classic..

dchyde · 12th July 2006, 17:03

Here is some info on the e60 forum:

3M Swirl remover and P21s..on Black

Stevie · 12th July 2006, 17:24

As a client of mine has a few trees surrounding his driveway that coninuously shed wax all over the cars I frequently have cars cleaned for this.

They handwash the cars with (dutch = spiritus) a diluted white-spirit to remove old wax and the tree-residu before applying a fresh coat of wax.