Tree Sap Removal

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phalconfixer

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RV LIFE Pro
Joined
Nov 18, 2023
Messages
21
Location
Schaumburg IL
We camped at a state park at a site covered with large pine trees. Unfortunately we have to deal with sap that dropped on our trailer and truck and it's proving to be a pain to remove. I used isopropyl alcohol to remove the sap from our trucks windshield, but hesitate to use it on our trailers roof. I'd appreciate any insight on removing tree sap from the roof membrane.

Jim
 
Try using Crisco shortening , that's what we used for pine sap removal while I was a florist. Just be sure to follow it up with soap and water.
 
This has happened to us a couple times. I just did nothing as eventually the sap dries up and flakes off.
 
I too have encountered lot of pine sap from state campground. My first intuition is to use Mineral Spirits but trial-and-error reveals Rubbing Alcohol works better (gentler). I concur with sponsor "WhittleBurner" to follow-up with soap and water. [unrelated: I removed and re-applied decal using plastic scraper blade working well to prevent inadvertent scratching and ease of smoothing out bubbles]
 
97% Isoprophyl Alcohol will do the trick without hesitation. Whether the sap is new or old.

WD40 may be the next best option but it (and other oil based recommendations) still need to be cleaned after using (assuming they work).
 
Bugs N All

phalconfixer said:
We camped at a state park at a site covered with large pine trees. Unfortunately we have to deal with sap that dropped on our trailer and truck and it's proving to be a pain to remove. I used isopropyl alcohol to remove the sap from our trucks windshield, but hesitate to use it on our trailers roof. I'd appreciate any insight on removing tree sap from the roof membrane.

Jim
Click to expand...

Have you tried bugs n all? Best stuff I’ve tried to get most stuff off camper and front of truck. Took love bugs off with no problem on our trip to Florida.
 
Tree sap removal

phalconfixer said:
We camped at a state park at a site covered with large pine trees. Unfortunately we have to deal with sap that dropped on our trailer and truck and it's proving to be a pain to remove. I used isopropyl alcohol to remove the sap from our trucks windshield, but hesitate to use it on our trailers roof. I'd appreciate any insight on removing tree sap from the roof membrane.

Jim
Click to expand...

Hand sanitizer works great. It evaporates quickly and does not harm the paint.
 
Purell or other waterless hand cleaners work really well to remove tree sap from cars, kids, dogs and just about anything else including hands. Don't worry about using it on your rubber roof. Talking with an RV tech, they use mineral spirits and other similar solvents to clean areas on the roof before applying dicor self leveling lap sealant.
 
On your TPO roof, leave it! It will not harm anything at all. It will eventually sun-bake, dry out, and come off on its own. If you have it on the PVC-coated awning fabric, use nothing more aggressive than vegetable oil or vegetable-based shortening and a nice wash with a gentle soap and water after.
 
Thanks to all for your replies. It shows that there's a lot of options out there to consider that will help with the sap removal problem.

Jim
 
I use WD40. Spray some on the tree sap and then spray some on a rag and cover the spot for a few minutes. It should wipe right off
 
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