So i was working at a camp in sequoia national park for three weeks, and now there is giant seqoia tree sap on my front bumper and is annoying as, well just really annoying. i tried soap and water and picking at it with my fingers, but i just cant get this crap off!! any suggestions?

 

Turtle wax bug and tar remover... works great!

 

Mother's Clay Bar is made for just this kind of problem. watch the fingernail picking or you could be looking at a re-polish, or worse, some rubbing compound. the clear coat is thin and temperamental.
the bug-and-tar remover is great also. once you get it off - do a really good wax job and any future sap, bugs, road grime... will come off much easier.

 

tree sap is essentially just -rosin-

it is a hydrocarbon resin

as such, solvent forms of hydrocarbon will all remove the sap in a hurry.


the safest (absolutely safe) is regular mineral spirits. you may choose the next stronger distillation, "lighter fluid" for even faster results. Get a bottle of Ronson and keep it in the car for quick fixes of tar spots and sap. Of course! it removes wax. But it won't harm your OEM paint

Goo Gone sticky-remover also works.


Never rub a bird spot, though: bird lime (a neat old term) contains -sand- (craw grinding-grit)

 

Nice tip!

On that tangent, use a detailing lube to remove 'bird lime'. Soak it down first, then gently begin dabbing it away with a microfiber cloth.

 

also for tree sap , and many dont know this . Go to your medicin cabinet or whatever you hold stuff like that in , and get you some rubbing alchol (yeah I probably spelt that wrong LOL) , soak a cloth (preferably microfiber) with it , and hold it on the tree sap to let the sap absorb some of it . the slowly and lightly rub the mark wiht the cloth , I will take alittl time and isnt instantanous . But will remove the sap . Afterwards apply a coat of wax over the treated spot

 

WD-40 removes tree sap too. I learned that trick from my dad, we used it to get gobs of tree sap off my wife's old car.