Can I use clay bar, when there is tree sap issue?

Maintenance/Repairs
1

Hi,
I am in Seattle, and own Acura RDX 2015. We moved to new apartment and parking is all under tree. I keep seeing some sticky tiny dots all over car. If I keep it parked, it will look noticeable definitely. It will not go away just by plain water wash, but I use soap and “Spray Nine Heavy Duty cleaner” and do it almost every two weeks.
Since sometime I wanted to use Clay Bar (Mothers California Gold), but didn’t use, as I was not sure if if trees will stick on it more.

Now in a month, I will be moving to Liberty, MO. I never been to that region, but it looks that is 4 season place. Can I use clay bar here just before ship the car to transport, or after reaching there ? Or clay bar would help to be less sticky and I can do it now ?
What would you suggest ?

Thanks

2

Tester

3

I read the blog and it looks like, this guy recommends to clean and then use clay bar. That means, it should be good to use it now while I am here ?
If so, I will still wash my car with soap for at least 2 times before we leave Seattle, and that should be okay? I am asking this because, after applying clay bar, I will still wash and clean that tree sap with soap and “Spray Nine Heavy Duty cleaner”. Will it not hurt the clay bar application ?

4

You don’t “apply” clay bar, it is used to strip dirt from the paint.
After the clay bar treatment, you must reapply wax.

1 Like
5

Ah ok.
So, I will wash/clean the car, dry it up, spray ‘Instant Detailer’ and rub the clay bar. And finally I should apply ‘Butter Wet Wax’ mentioned in that website link ?

6

i fratelli Magliozzi mentioned the fellow who used a power sander to remove tree sap.

1 Like
7

What abrasive compound did they recommend?

8

This product is VERY hard on your paint. It is not intended for that purpose. Same issue if you are using dish detergent as your carwash soap.

As the article recommends, use bug and tar remover, an old credit card and then clay bar. You can then use any quality car wax.

If you use dish soap again to wash the car, it will strip the wax right off and require a re-waxing.

1 Like
9

I vividly recall seeing my neighbor’s young son “help” his Dad by removing heavy snow from the hood and trunk of his father’s nearly-new Pontiac with a shovel.
:scream:

10

I agree with this. The instructions say that it will damage glass, so there’s no way I’d ever let that near my paint.

11

Just wait until you get settled in the new place. Also you might find a detail shop there that will do a great job for a price that you can live with.

4 Likes
12

I have used rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol to remove pine sap without damaging the paint. Test in a hidden spot first to make sure it’s OK. Apply wax or polish over the spots you clean. Hand sanitizer works also if it has isopropyl alcohol.

13

Rubbing alcohol won’t damage paint. It’s a mild solvent and that’s one reason it’s often used first. The car should be waxed after removing the tree sap.

2 Likes
14

My preference for tar or sap removal that will not come off with car wash soap is to use mineral spirits. Dissolves very fast with minimal rubbing. Many commercial bug and tar removers are just mineral spirits anyway so save some money and buy generic. Be sure to clean the residue off and reapply wax afterward.

3 Likes
15

I use the clay bar twice a year. It takes all the surface contaminants off. Run your fingers over the paint before and after and you’ll see how smooth it is after. Tree sap is bad though so may need to start with a solvent or tar remover, then clay bar. I then machine polish with a swirl remover or light polish, then poly sealer or glaze, and hand wax. Twice a year. Stuff will tend to not stick to the paint then and car wash will usually do the trick. Then there are detailed and chain saws in extreme cases or a garage.