Removing sap

goo gone.

or bug and tar remover.

be gentle and use a very soft cloth...

razor blade (carefully)

really?

for a beginner???

(very very very very carefully if you do.)

the repercussions (and scars) run deep if you don't do it right...

note to self:

never ask rosborne over to help detail the cars...

(or if I do, check pockets for stashed razor blades)

A wise choice.

when I used to run an office furniture install crew, I had to take away all of their hammers and let them earn them back.

you woulda been one of those guys, I think...

no razor blades allowed, seed.

I guess I wouldn't recommend it if you're driving a Ferrari or an Antique. But for a normal car... dried up old sap chips right off with the flat edge of a single edge razor blade. And I'm certainly no specialist at doing it, but I've never seen it leave even the tiniest mark.

Okay, two others were brave enough to answer. It's definately possible to damage the finish.

I often get pine sap on the car, and I start with a craft stick, which I sometimes call popcicle sticks. Remove as much as you can without actually touching the paint. I've never tried Goo Gone, or whatever it's called, and the solvents I use for the final finish work are slow working. Remove as much as possible before starting with the solvent.

I've tried 409 and Windex. Both have worked for me without hurting the finish. They are slow, but with lots of gentle rubbing without letting the solvent evaporate, you will get there. I've also used lighter fluid and the prep solvents intended for final cleaning before painting the car. Both work, but slowly. Neither has damaged my paint. Your mileage may vary.

Never, never, ever use a carburator cleaner like Barryman B-12. It's an absolutely great solvent, but can destroy paint, rubber, plastic, and your lungs.

Whatever you go with, try it in a very small and out of the way spot.

if you slip, you go all the way to the bone...

I've seen it happen even to someone like myself who does all kinds of tricks with a very sharp blade.

but I can fix what I screw up if I have to...

good answer, rog...

"prep solvents intended for final cleaning."

in practice called wax and grease remover.

but kinda pricey...

most modern vehicles are factory painted with a clearcoat.

damaging it is easier than you think, and the damage wont necessarily show itself right away...

I'm only speaking from my own experience. I've never had any problems doing it and it wasn't even difficult. Of course, you can't do it on every spot, it has to be on a flat (or very slightly curved) surface, not an edge or something. And you have to have a good "feel" for the blade as it slides. As I said before, do it carefully.

cool.

call me if you ever slip.

I'll give you an estimate on a paint job...

The best way I found to remove sap from a car is to open the passenger door and shove them out.

James Bond had an ejection seat - but only in the movies.

it ruins the clean roof line on the new aston, so they left it off the options list...

Guy parks his brand new camaro under pine trees that line the apartment complex. Gonna be good money for somebody.

I'd go razor (if you're a-skeered, they make plastic blades) then finish with bug & tar. Gotta do this before I can slap some vinyl on my hood actually...

ahahah!

I'm pretty sure that Googone will ruin the clear coat. Pretty sure it might take a while, but I think clay barring would be the safest and most effective answer.