Eucalyptus (Gum Tree) sap on duco

Submitted: Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 19:15

ThreadID: 32714 Views:19989 Replies:10 FollowUps:4

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Member - Norm C (QLD)

I parked the Hilux under gum trees for a few days recently and now have heaps (and heaps) of brown stains on the paint, which I assume are from tree sap. Doesn't wash off. Unfortunately I left it on for about a week before I got around to cleaning it off. I've tried polishing off with the Maguires polish I use. With lots of elbow grease I can get a fair bit of it off, but not all.

I could use a harsher polish or cutting compound to get it off, but is there a simpler way that will not be so tough on the paint finish?

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Reply By: Atropos - Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 19:43

Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 19:43

Hi Norm,

Rather than trying to cut and polish the marks off I would be inclined to wash them with petrol , you will have to polish the area afterwards but the tree sap should come off ok (clean off petrol with water straight after use)

john

AnswerID: 166007

Follow Up By: Atropos - Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 19:44

Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 19:44

BTW thats a rag soaked in a drop of petrol not buckets of the stuff (grin)

FollowupID: 420926

Reply By: howesy - Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 20:29

Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 20:29

I get this all the time where i live up the mountains. There are a couple of products. One is that stuff you see the guy demonstating at all the camping shows and the other is called "Car-Lack 68". It is made in germany been around for over 30 yrs and leaves maguires and mothers behind and is easier to buff off. You get what you pay for though it's around $40 for one litre. I buy 3ltr packs for $95 so It works out under 32 a ltr. it's on ebay now and then.

AnswerID: 166021

Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 09:13

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 09:13

howesy, other than on e-bay where else can I get this stuff. Happy to buy on e-bay, but by the time I wait for an auction to finish and pay for postage, it will probably cost $45+ and I'll have it in a week.

FollowupID: 421043

Reply By: Joe King - Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 20:34

Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 20:34

Norm, might sound funny but have you tried eucalyptus oil?
might work...

AnswerID: 166026

Follow Up By: MATT.D(WA) - Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 22:36

Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 22:36

I would be very careful using eucalyptus oil as I know of a bloke who used it on an older car which had been resprayed and it dulled the paintwork and took the shine off the patch it was used on.

Cheers Matt.

FollowupID: 420994

Reply By: Jack 2000 - Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 23:55

Sunday, Apr 09, 2006 at 23:55

car-lack68, sounds good just looked it up on ebay I think I will get some myself soon.

EBAY item number: 4628767443

link below to get you straight to it, click or copy and paste

Site Link

AnswerID: 166079

Reply By: Member - John R (NSW) - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 06:56

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 06:56

You could just go to a panel beaters or auto paint shop and buy a can of Prepsol. Works on enamels, urethanes and acrylics. It will remove any wax, so you'll have to polish the area again.

AnswerID: 166087

Reply By: Shane (QLD) - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 07:11

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 07:11

Polyglase Bug & Tar Remover !

AnswerID: 166089

Reply By: age - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 08:12

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 08:12

I use a product called SOLVEX. It is a polish that leaves a diamond hard finish. Removes sap and the like when applying and makes removal so easy next time it happens. I mainly use this product to protect duco from scratches and the salt when on the beach (truck has done 16 years of solid beach work and still looks great). Saw it demonstrated on a stall at boat show ands thought it was a gimmick (guy put some on a bonnet and set fire to it with petrol then polished the scorch marks off). The guy gave me a trial bottle because I was still suss on it and never looked back since. Also use it on boat and esky's etc. Available from mail order - Google Solvex. Supplier is based at Tweed Heads. About $10/litre, but goes a long way and only needs applying twice a year.

Cheers

AnswerID: 166099

Reply By: Shaker - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 09:08

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 09:08

Have you tried very warm to hot water?

AnswerID: 166108

Follow Up By: Member - Norm C (QLD) - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 09:54

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 09:54

Shaker, I have now. Of all the things I've tried so far it is the best. Straight hot water and elbow grease has got a lot of it off. Simple solutions are often the best.

I'll probably still get some of this Car Laxk 68 stuff. Sounds pretty good.

FollowupID: 421047

Reply By: camship - Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 13:22

Monday, Apr 10, 2006 at 13:22

Ive just had an 05 prado grande completly resprayed (insurance paid luckily). Make sure you wash bat poo off your car asap. It can and does eat through the clear coat.

AnswerID: 166152