Tree Sap Trouble - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

bmwluvr4evr · 26th June 2008, 09:45

Hi all! Fathers day weekend we took our new 5 out and the place we went to had several pines. We parked in this one spot where nobody could park next to us and left the car there for two nights. We come back to see these drops of sap covering the jet black paint and unfortunatly there wasn't a car wash for miles. So once we got home I washed it by hand and put some BMW Tree Sap Remover. It didn't work all that much and I believe part of the reason was that during that weekend the temp was between 90 and 100 degress! Scorching hot! I'm guessing it etched through... I washed the car twice but spots are still visible where the sap was. I've thought about having it waxed but perhaps the paint is too new? Does anyone have any suggestions as to how to get our black beauty back

Fiori · 29th June 2008, 16:39

ouch...

I'll try to reach and ask my friend's mechanics/car specialists from Lithuania.
Those guys virtually know everything.

chowdah · 29th June 2008, 17:06

I'll preface by saying this probably won't work, but you could try a clay bar. Next step would be some kind of polish.

Bird poo, tree sap, wet leaves in the fall -- all these are deadly to clear coat. Prevention is key, whether by wax/Zaino, or by carrying baby wipes to remove it right away.

bmwluvr4evr · 29th June 2008, 19:02

I bought a clay kit called Smooth Surface Clay Kit by Meguiars at advance auto parts. It came with 2 clay bars, lubricant, a microfiber towel, and some wax. They didn't have much at the store so I got what was availble. There isn't many shops around here that I know of that sell auto detailing supplies... stinks... but I'm going to give that kit a go and I'll let yall know how it goes

ezmoney888 · 10th September 2008, 09:34

clay bar will work.

bud4ya · 15th December 2008, 02:51

+1 on the clay bar. Go to a good store that sells higer end detail products. They will get you something. Friend just had the same issue but brought his in to get detailed and they got it all.

They sell sap/tar remover at any auto parts store and that will works. Just try it in a hidden area first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ezmoney888

clay bar will work.

kindanutz · 20th December 2008, 22:21

ur probably going to need some sort of fast acting laquer thinner... thats what i use to get sap off my beast as well as my family's cars...

blueaudis4 · 19th January 2009, 06:26

BMW has an actual pine sap remover and a road tar remover both work extremely well. Make sure you are in a WELL ventilated area as both will knock you on your *** if you inhale any bit of it.

ArrestMeRed · 25th June 2009, 17:26

Try denatured alcohol. It dissolves large deposits of tree sap just like water dissolving blocks of sugar.

bmwluvr4evr · 5th September 2009, 08:56

I'm replying so late...

I couldn't get myself to do the clay bar after all. Too afraid of ruining the paint. I took the car to get full detail right after that happened. It looked better than new after. No spots of sap.