Give me a solvent

G

getcha

New member
Ugh. After a post sale pickup prep for a now great customer of mine I am stuck wanting something easier to remove tree sap(as well as tar). I probably spent a good hour, while moving in between other things trying to get tree sap and tar off this gorgeous LR Discovery hood and lower front quarters. After trying various clay grades and a couple solvent options, I ended up asking them for a 2 bowls of HOT water and spend the next 40 minutes softening up the sap with rotating hot moist towels. In the end it didn't matter but I need something that is paint safe(guaranteed) and will work on this.



Also, after recently reading the post about tar removal, I don't think my customers would be to keen on the idea of gasoline or diesel on their cars painted surfaces, especially considering what some of the cars are worth.



Open to suggestions..

Many thanks guys and gals
 
is methyl hydrate safe for ALL paint finishes?







That was really annoying too, I couldnt believe i had to spend that much time on it.
 
salty said:
Methyl Hydrate for tree sap. Mineral spirits for tar.
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kinda weird...I was just going to put that. It's like we work together or something... lacquer thinner also works well for tar.



None of those products have given me problems on anything I've tried so far.
 
I REALLY like Surf City Garage's Road Grime remover, but haven't used it on sap... For tar and bug guts (even very stubborn bug guts) it works amazingly well.....
 
Never had any problems with Methyl Hydrate, works faster than IPA without the smell. Doesn't seem to soften paint.



Mineral spirits does need a dwell time on older tar.



Some other solvents work fastest on tar but might soften the paint. LT and others with Acetone or Xylene softened the paint when i tried them.
 
TH i just looked up the surf city grime destroyer. It has sodium metasilicate in it, the same stuff that A2Z and EO all wheel cleaner has in it. I wonder if this is safe on paint? I really would like something that I dont need to chance, especially with staining and DEFINITLY with softening paint.
 
what about IPA(stupid to ask though never tried it) or maybe 1:1 acetone to water. Though I wouldnt chance it without backing as it obviously removes nail paint.
 
getcha said:
what about IPA(stupid to ask though never tried it)
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I have used the 90% isopropyl alcohol straight to remove bugs, sap, and tar. This stuff works great. I also keep a small bucket of hot water to dip the towel in before I attack the gunk with the alcohol. Heat and alcohol seems to be a safe and inexpensive solution to problem contaminants on cars IME.
 
For tar removal I use RainX Bug and Tar remover. It's a GEL that doesn't drip off. I spray it on my SS exhaust tips, let it set for 45 min and just wipe away the tar. Got it at PeP Boys for $2.00 on a closeout. Haven't seen anyone mention this stuff, but it works.
 
Methyl hydrate and isop alcohol are very similiar, same family, something like that. Acetone is a step up stronger but riskier
 
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