Tree sap - how to remove?

[KillaSV]

I parked under a tree the other day (no choice) and when i get back to my bike it has tree sap all over it. Windscreen, seats, tank, handlebars, plastics....I went to the dealership and all they could do is tell me to use really hot water and maybe it would come off. If not whatever else i use might ruin the paint and everything else its on. Anyone here have any suggestions if this water doesnt help. i know i tried it on my car once and it wouldnt come off. Never did try anything else on it because it wouldnt come off.

[Stig]

A rag and some WD40.

[maultin]

white spirit, like you would use to clean out your paint brushes, will do the paint no harm (presuming its the original 2 pack coating).
it will soften the sap & you will have a better chance getting it off with a rag.

check the suitablility of the white spirit on the underside of the tank or somewhere out of the way - i am absolutely sure it will be totally fine

Alan

[KillaSV]

will wd40 ruin the windscreen or seats or would i have to check that also on a small spot?

Whats white spirit your talking about? am from the states maybe its called something else

[Stig]

WD40 is good to go. Just don't get it on the brakes or disks. Other than that you can spray it everywhere.

[yorkie_chris]

Whats white spirit your talking about? am from the states maybe its called something else
Kerosene

[maultin]

KillaSV, if unsure about either WD40 (an issue if you get it on ur brakes) or Kerosine, then use whatever you would clean your paint brushes with when you have painted the woodwork (doors etc) in your home. It will not damage the paint, but will soften the resin in the tree sap.

Alan

ps - white spirits & kerosine are not the same. sorry Chris. kerosine is what us Brits would call paraffin.

[scottjames]

i think methelated sprit would be good. it should disolve the sap an leave nothing behind, whereas white sprite can leave a residue? ? worth a try. scott

[phil24_7]

Terps.

[yorkie_chris]

Turps/white spirit/kero

Muchly the same thing

[squirrel_hunter]

Turps/white spirit/kero

Muchly the same thing

Not true. White Spirit is mellow, Kerosene should be served on ice, and Turps leaves and aftertaste that I don't agree with.

HTH

[yorkie_chris]

You're just a soft southerner, just mix em all up and pour into a pint glass

[Bluepete]

To get the sap off the paint, use a clay bar. It will do the job perfectly, no damage or risk of damage at all.

I have used www.performancemotorcare.com (http://www.performancemotorcare.com) several times, they have a load of products, clay bars here (http://www.performancemotorcare.com/acatalog/Clay_Bars2.html)

The top pack on the list is what I have, the results are very, very good!

[Richie]

I think surgical sprits is called Rubbing Alcohol in the states.

[KillaSV]

I used Rubbing alchohal lightly on the sap spots besides the windscreen. After that i put a pot of water on the stove and warmed it up right before it started boiling. That and the alchohal took it off the paint. Though it didnt totally work on the seats. The hot water worked on the windscreen, though there wasnt much on it. Now i need to get into the tiny cracks on the seats to get it completely off the bike.

Lesson well learned. I will never park my bike under a tree under any circumstances. If i have to walk a 1/2 mile just so i dont have to so be it lol Thanks all with the ideas. Now i just need to get to waxing!

[maultin]

Chris, would you suggest a chaser for the WS/kerosine/turps combo?
perhaps a gallon of fork oil :D

Alan

[chazzyb]

Were the trees maples? If so, wipe the sap off with a lightly toasted waffle. :p

[yorkie_chris]

Chris, would you suggest a chaser for the WS/kerosine/turps combo?
perhaps a gallon of fork oil :D

Alan

Nah, methanol with a castrol R twist.

Puts hairs on yer chest :-P

[-Ralph-]

Funny you should post this, 'cos I've just posted in this thread

http://forums.sv650.org/showthread.php?t=95716

and I reckon the very same stuff should do nicely, Auto Glym Intensive Tar Remover.