Recommend a cleaner for CARC paint?

[Blue2actual]

On my door mirrors and fenders, I have tree sap/residue stained into the paint it seems. I've tried most cleaners (dish soap, goo gone, M-P degreasers, Simple Green, purple power, etc etc). I even used my pressure washer (with adjustable pressure nozzle which did a GREAT job of getting off all the "set in" dirt and grime from the paint. If i use any more pressure on the sap areas, I would start taking the paint off. I know it's just a little minor thing but it is driving me crazy not being able to get this to come clean! Any of you guys have any recommendations on methods/cleaners to try?

 

[Woodsplinter]

Have you tried anything like mineral spirits or lacquer thinner? Mineral spirits is not very aggressive to the paint but lacquer thinner will be. I would test a small inconspicuous area first.
Also I've noticed the military uses dry cleaning fluid as a parts degreaser. I've never used it but thought I'd throw it out as a possibility.

Hope this helps!

 

[SouthernSteel]

NON CHLORINATED BRAKE CLEANER NON Flamable Works wonders it got some Lucas oil treatment off the floor board of my truck when degreaser wouldnt even touch it Spray some on a rag and wipe that stuff works great

 

[cpf240]

I have not tried it on tree sap, but brake cleaner worked great on my truck. My wife has a coworker who was in the service, and he said they were told to wipe them down with straight diesel.

 

[Blue2actual]

Woodsplinter- I did try just a bit of lacquer thinner, which didn't really do anything. I asked the light wheel mechanics at work and they told me to try some "Awesome" cleaner at the dollar store. I'm going to stop by on my way home and see if it works.

 

[Tow4]

Brake cleaner gets the GL white grease pencil off. Don't use a red shop rag. It takes more scrubbing with a white towel and brake cleaner to get the red off.

 

[mudman]

For a quick "Spit Shine"...try a little deisel on a rag. This is what is used for a quick inspection shine. should cover up the sap and blend everything in together.!!

 

[skysix]

Eucalyptus oil or teatree oil for sure - and possibly pepermint oil might work. Be sure to work quickly and rinse them off promptly.

 

[edpdx]

I was at a full service car wash. The guy doing the final hand dry was spraying some stuff from a yard sprayer on the paint behind the fender wells. It smelled like lighter fluid. He told me it was Naptha- same stuff. Home Depot has it in the paint dept. I have been using it to remove stubborn car paint stains since. Tar and sap no prob. Bird droppings- HOT water is the ticket. Cat paws- airsoft.

 

[gungearz]

Naptha is the only thing I could think of.

 

[Woodsplinter]

Well Blue, that's a lot of options. Let us know if anything works.
If not,ummm, maybe sandblast & repaint ?! lol
Good luck!

 

[SouthernSteel]

Haha Forgot to mention that Thanks Tow4 Good point

Brake cleaner gets the GL white grease pencil off. Don't use a red shop rag. It takes more scrubbing with a white towel and brake cleaner to get the red off.

Ha ha i dont feel bad now the non chlorinated brake cleaner doesnt stink as bad as diesel lol but hey if it works it works :]



Btw Wood splinter that would be the worse case lol

 

[Woodsplinter]

Yeah, just kidding!

 

[Blue2actual]

Thanks for all of the advice everyone. I got most of it off with lots of scrubbing with a heavy tire brush, lots of "Awesome" dollar store cleaner and brake parts cleaner. The only thing I didn't try was the naphtha stuff.

 

[ODdave]

try some gas on a rag. you might be suprized.

 

[skysix]

Lighter fluid (old school Zippo stuff) is very versatile also...

 

[gungearz]

Lighter fluid (old school Zippo stuff) is very versatile also...

Also known as naptha... We covered that one already

 

[quickfarms]

Brake cleaner gets the GL white grease pencil off. Don't use a red shop rag. It takes more scrubbing with a white towel and brake cleaner to get the red off.

Good idea