of sap and cars

[ghouchu]

hi folks

i've got a couple of general questions and then a real poser. first, what pressure can one safely use on a car? is there any reason not to use a pressure washer on a car? is there any benefit to using a pressure washer on a car?

now the tough one. we have beside our driveway a loathesome tree, an elm of some sort. every year in the late summer/early fall, it deposits what seems to be sap on whatever is underneath it. i say seems to be sap because is does not land in drops. it's as though it emits an invisible sap vapor that settles in layers. every year in the late summer i remind my wife not to park under that tree, and every year she ignores me, and i tell her "i told you so" as i wash her car. this year, the sap is heavier and more tenacious than usual, and the dawn dish-washing liquid that has succeeded in the past has had no discernable effect. i used about 1/2 a cup of dawn in a gallon of hot water, gave it 10 to 15 minutes dwell time, keeping the surface wet with re-applications as necessary. wiped gently but firmly with sponge for over 5minutes on a single foot square area. it didn't even dent the coat of sap. ANY SUGGESTIONS???

thanks

richard

 

[Ronniels]

You can get sap remover from an Auto Supply place.
Basically Gasoline, Kerosene or Deisel will be somewhere in the mix. (Maybe not Gasoline...but it will work)
Dawn is rough on your wax as are any of the above mentioned.
Try some liquid Oxacylic, it is used by detailers to remove sap, bug juice and overspray. (Among many other nasties that get on paint)
As for the Pressure Washer on the car, a soap tip spray is about it, unless you're using a 1200 psi Electric Unit or something like that. (On Paint)
A Pressure Washer is an advantage to cleaning wheels, white walls and under-carraiges.

 

[ghouchu]

thanks ronnie. i'll give the oxacylic a try.

 

[Jon]

A way to help prevent this from happening again, buy a car cover and teach the lady how to cover the car.

Heck you can always sell the car and tell her to take the bus!

But really since she is so adament about parking there would she at least cover the car, or you could be nice and go cover it once she gets home.

 

[Aplus]

I'd just cut the tree down.......problem solved.

 

[Cali]

I have always used approximately 1500 PSI safely. I also recommend using a good all purpose adhesive remover to actually remove the sap, and follow up with the clay that lots of companies sell at any auto parts store. I think they market it as a good overspray and other APC for flaws on the paint. I think Chief Auto parts, or Kraegan sell the clay made by Auto Magic or Meguair's. Both good products. (FYI, you don't need the spray they sell you with it, just use De-ionized water to prevent spotting. Don't waste the money)

When I used to detail cars professionally, this was the best method I found. The adhesive remover does a great job without destroying the paint. Follow up with the clay to remove any other misc. residue that might be left. Than wash it, and apply a good coat of wax.

And as Jon said, buy a car cover or something of the like

 

[Target P/W]

I just submitted a thread about "simple green", an automotive product/degreaser. It claims to remove just about everything related to cars and trucks.
As far as p.s.i. goes, I run at about 1000 for soap and 1600-2000 for the rinse, incorporating hot water in the rinse after October usually.

Good luck.

Chris.