Removing Tree Sap from a Car: Many Don'ts, Only One Do

‘Tree sap’ may refer to either the natural resins secreted by conifers (e.g., pine and fir trees) or it may refer to honeydew, a sweet, sticky substance produced by aphids. Regardless of the source, tree sap contains a high sugar content that causes it to quickly harden, resulting in an unsightly, sticky, and difficult-to-clean mess on vehicles. 

Tree sap may chemically bond with the car’s clear coat as it hardens into a tough, glue-like layer. Over time and with exposure to UV rays, this may cause oxidation that leads to discolouration and dull spots. When tree sap is removed incorrectly, for example, with harsh chemicals that also bond with the clear coat, it may leave the paintwork exposed to environmental damage, including fading, chipping, and rust formation. Left untreated indefinitely, hardened sap can etch into the paint, causing the type of damage that may require professional polishing or even repainting to fix. 

Despite what you may see on the internet, there are no quick fixes for dealing with tree sap on a car. What good is a fix that removes the sap but harms your paint or trim?

Regardless of whether the offending sap is fresh or has hardened into a near crystal-like substance, the ONLY way to safely remove tree sap from a car is to first soften it. Even if the sap is freshly fallen, trying to wipe it off with a damp cloth may harm your paint job as it sticks to micro-particles and causes abrasion.

What you will need:

• Car shampoo: We recommend snow foam car shampoo, although any type of car shampoo from a reputable supplier will work.

• Microfibre cloths: Low- to medium GSM microfibre like these 300 GSM Waffle Cloths are ideal for removing sap, while higher GSM cloths make quick work of drying.

• Isopropyl alcohol-based sap remover.

• Wax or sealant.

• Cold, running water.

Removing the sap

Step 1: Rinse the affected area with cold, running water to clear any loose dirt or debris that may scratch the car.

Step 2: Apply the snow foam and allow it to soak for a few minutes before gently washing the car as you normally would using the microfibre cloth. Do not scrub aggressively or focus on the sap in particular. The snow foam will soften much of the sap, and even gentle cleaning should remove some of the softer sap.

Step 3: To remove the remainder of the harder or more stubborn sap, dampen your microfibre cloth with isopropyl alcohol-based sap remover and lay it over the sap for roughly 60 seconds. For extremely hard sap that has been sitting for weeks or months, you may need to repeat this process.

Step 4: Using the same microfibre cloth, gently wipe in a circular motion until the sap lifts off. Do not aggressively scrub to avoid micro-scratches.

Step 5: Rewash the area with car shampoo and rinse with cold water to remove any remaining residue. Dry your car to prevent watermarks or mineral buildup. Apply a wax or sealant to protect your paint job from future sap buildup. 

Park with confidence this summer knowing that safely removing sap from cars is as straightforward as following 5 simple steps. You don’t need much in the line of specialised equipment, and suitable chemicals (shampoo and sap removers) are easy to find. Avoid any 3-minute fixesyou find online, especially if they involve harsh chemicals or scraping away sap with a metal tool.