Many of us aspire to having a clean, shiny vehicle , but driving and parking on roads can cause dirt and contaminants to build up and diminish the pristine finish. Arguably one of the most difficult to remove contaminants car drivers may have to deal with at some point is tree sap.

Tree sap usually gets onto your car if you park underneath a tree. It can be difficult to remove from your vehicle as it contains terpenes. These bioactive molecules help protect trees from hungry animals and disease, but they are also responsible for making sap incredibly sticky and hard to remove, especially if not removed quickly.

The best way to avoid getting tree sap on your vehicle is to avoid parking under trees, but this isn’t always feasible. Fortunately, Star Car Wash is one of Australia’s largest networks of professional car detailers, and our experienced, knowledgeable car detailers are experts at removing all kinds of contaminants from your car, including tree sap.

In this guide, we share what you’ll need to clean tree sap from your vehicle, how to clean it and when you may want to consider getting help from specialist car washing services like JS Car Wash & Detailing.

Assessing Your Car for Signs of Tree Sap

Tree sap may seem relatively harmless, but it can seriously damage the aesthetic and longevity of your vehicle in several ways :

• Staining – Tree sap contains chemicals and contaminants that can bake into your car’s paintwork, resulting in small, stubborn, and unsightly stains that are difficult to remove.
• Corrosion – Tree sap can cause corrosion, causing it to lose its lustre and shine, and if left untreated, can cause rust spots.
• Windscreen damage – Tree sap on a car’s windscreen can reduce visibility and increase your risk of accidents, especially during bad weather or at night.
• Reduced Value – Tree sap can reduce the value of your car should you wish to sell it. Potential buyers may be deterred by the cost of restoring the car, making it less saleable.

Cleaning tree sap off your car as quickly as possible is the best way to minimise the damage. For that reason, we recommend inspecting your vehicle for tree sap at least monthly or more frequently if you regularly park under trees.

It is best to inspect your car during the day to ensure you can fully see any sap. Pay particular attention to areas where sap is likely to land, including the roof, hood (bonnent), boot, and windscreen.

If you notice any tree sap, take note of the affected area and act promptly by cleaning it yourself using our step-by-step method below or seeking professional car cleaning services like those offered at  JS Car Wash & Detailing.