Tree sap removal (not heavy)

[Willwork4truck]

Dumb sheet here parked under a deciduous tree for a few days in order to not overheat the interior prior to getting the ceramic tint done all around. Fast forward to discovering lots of very small clear drops of sap over every panel and all glass. (face palm)
What to do?

YT had a few hundred recommendations, mostly different exterior detail sprays and then wipe off. Some said to foam cannon the whole thing with a diluted vinegar or other home remedies. A couple channels (Chris Fix was one) tested a bunch of different products.

I ended up using Windex brand foaming spray cleaner (after a pre-wash) when not out in strong sun. Spray on, wait 10 -15 seconds and wipe off with soft rags (microfiber). Go panel by panel and break up big areas into thirds or fourths.
A few more stubborn spots required retreatment however 1 large can later (appx 20 oz), and 7 rags, it was done, top, sides, glass.

Worked well, the finish is smooth again and I don't believe it affected the ceramic wax that had been applied a few months ago.
YMMV if its pine sap, mine was not.

 

[greenwae]

hand sanitizer works great! Eats it up within seconds and wipes clean. It works on your skin, clothes, whatever....

 

[Willwork4truck]

Probably will get the ceramic wax re-applied ($100) earlier than later to renew the covering.

 

[Bob.]

Be glad you had a clean truck. If it was unwaxed or not coated you'd be very ticked off.
Sap is nasty if it dries on.

 

[spyder]

Rubbing alcohol works great. Comes right off.

 

[n8zcc]

Rubbing alcohol works great. Comes right off.

hand sanitizer works great! Eats it up within seconds and wipes clean. It works on your skin, clothes, whatever....

I have a collection of sap on two vehicles. I'm going to try both these suggestions and see if works for me.

 

[spyder]

I moved a fresh cut natural edge pine board a while back and what seemed like a gallon of sap dripped down the outside of the bed from the bed rail down across the fuel fill door and to the bottom of the side of the bed. I got busy and didn't clean it for ...oh, probably 3 months.

Soaked a rag in rubbing alcohol and started working it, took about 5 minutes total to get it all cleaned off. After that, wash the residue with normal dish soap and water, and it was fine.

I bet the hand sanitizer worked because it's typically mostly rubbing alcohol.

 

[WXman]

Vinegar is the trick. I stupidly got cement mix all over my tailgate and panicked. Could not get it off with anything I tried. Nothing. My mother actually told me to try vinegar, so I went in the kitchen when the wife wasn't looking at stole her vinegar. It worked!

 

[n8zcc]

Vinegar is the trick. I stupidly got cement mix all over my tailgate and panicked. Could not get it off with anything I tried. Nothing. My mother actually told me to try vinegar, so I went in the kitchen when the wife wasn't looking at stole her vinegar. It worked!

I had a big calcium deposit on my roof from a leaking fire pipe in a parking garage. Everything I tried wouldn't clean it until I tried CLR and just like that, poof, it was gone.