The best methods to remove tree sap from your car include a handwash with hot, soapy water, rubbing alcohol, a razor blade, or a commercial cleaning product. And don’t forget: the longer you leave the sap to dry, the more damage it’s likely to do to your car’s exterior paint.

So, the unthinkable finally happened—you got home late from work due to rush hour and all the good parking spots were gone. You ended up with the worst one, under the sappy pine trees. Sure enough, that sticky pine sap landed on your brand new car and hardened. Now what are you going to do?

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The best DIY methods to remove tree sap from your car’s paint

Don’t break out the rubbing alcohol or head to your local auto parts store just yet! The best thing to do if you notice a new glob of sap on your car is to wash it as soon as possible.

Hand wash or car wash

If you catch it soon enough, the sap may still be fresh enough that you can remove it with a thorough car wash at home. You’ll need to use a sponge, some hot soapy water, and a bit of elbow grease in a circular motion. If you don’t have the time or materials, your best bet is to head straight to a car wash.

Even if you need to proceed on to more serious cleaning solutions, ensuring that the surface of your car is otherwise clean and free of grime is a great place to start. Don’t forget that washing your car is an essential part of a consistent car care routine.

MORE: Foolproof ways to clean bird poop on your car

Use a stronger cleaning solution

More stubborn sap that has sat on your car too long will probably take a little more force to remove. The most common way to help get rid of the sap is to use rubbing alcohol. A microfiber cloth will be the least abrasive on your car’s exterior, but any soft cloth should do the trick. You could also use a cotton ball to apply your cleaning solvent to the sap.

Here’s what to do:

Soak a clean cloth in rubbing alcohol

Apply it onto the sap and then let it soak for about 30 seconds to dissolve the sap

Use a soft cloth to wipe the sap away

Keep in mind that rubbing alcohol should be used sparingly since too much of it can cause damage to

your car’s paint

—especially if it’s left there and forgotten about.

Bacon grease, cooking oil, mineral spirits, nail polish remover, acetone, isopropyl alcohol, lighter fluid, and WD-40 will also work similarly. Even hand sanitizer may have enough alcohol to get the job done in a pinch! If the sap doesn’t come off after the first soaking, try repeating this step.

MORE:

DIY car wash: a step-by-step guide

Pro Tip Avoid using vinegar to remove tree sap from your car. It’s acidic enough to do serious damage to your car’s paint job!

Razor blade sap removal

If you’ve soaked the sap and it’s still not quite coming off, try using a razor blade or box cutter to gently pry the hardened sap off your car’s paint. Even a fingernail might do the trick!

The scraping method should be used carefully since sharp objects can cause lasting scratches. Make sure you’re only putting force on the sap—never scraping the car’s paint finish.

MORE: How to remove bugs, tar, and sap from car paint

Use a commercial cleaning product

This method probably involves a trip to your local automotive supply store. Here are some products to look out for that are specially designed to remove sap, goo, and all sorts of other sticky substances from your car’s exterior:

Goo Gone

Goof Off

3M Adhesive Remover

Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover

Any commercial tree sap remover is going to be a great bet. It’s also a good idea to use some

car wax spray

on the cleaned area to finish off the cleaning process.

MORE:

Your guide to the longest-lasting car wax

Cleaning sap off your car’s window or windshield

Cleaning sap off of glass should be easier than cleaning it off of your car’s paint job. While glass cleaner isn’t recommended for cleaning paint, use it on any glass surfaces as an initial step.

MORE: How to clean the inside of a windshield

When in doubt, take it to the pros

A trusted auto paint shop or auto body professional will be a helpful resource if the DIY method just isn’t doing the trick. Keeping your car’s exterior in pristine shape will be worth the money spent as it will help the car maintain its resale value.

The best way to save money on car insurance

If you’ve been hit with some unexpected car expenses, you’re probably wondering how you can cut back in other areas. Car insurance is one area where you can really optimize your savings.

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The whole process is quick and simple. You won’t have to deal with any paperwork or get on the phone (unless you want to!). And best of all, the average user saves more than $800 per year when switching with Jerry.

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