Tree sap on a car is already bad, but on a motorcycle? It’s right there in front of you every time you’re trying to enjoy a ride! Sap is a pain to get off, but don’t worry — we have a few tips and tricks to get the sap off without damaging your motorcycle’s paint.
Believe it or not, there are a ton of do-it-yourself tips that can get the sap right off:
- WD-40
- Kerosene
- Denatured rubbing alcohol
- Mineral oil
- Goo-gone
- Bug and tar remover
- Detailing clay
- Mayonnaise
- Armor-all
- Dryer softener sheets soaked with water
Some of these definitely sound strange, but motorcycle riders swear by them for sap removal. The only thing to be aware of is that pretty much all of them are likely to strip the wax off as well, though they won’t harm the paint job. You will likely have to re-wax your motorcycle when you’ve finished removing the sap because of this.
Regardless of what you use to get the sap off, there are a few cleaning techniques that will make the job easier.
Wash the Entire Motorcycle
If you’ve found a spot of sap on your motorcycle, odds are there are more than just one. When you’re preparing to get the sap off, you might as well wash the whole bike down. This will also help you make sure you get everything off with less extreme methods before moving on to harsher chemicals.
While you’re washing your motorcycle, try to gently scratch the sap off with a fingernail. You might be able to remove all of it without having to do any more than give it a good rinse! The earlier you can get started removing the sap from your motorcycle, the more likely it is this will work.
Take Your Time
If simply washing the motorcycle doesn’t work to get the sap off and you move on to more pointed methods, remember to take your time. Use a soft microfiber rag to gently apply your preferred cleaner. Remember that it will be more effective and have less potential to damage the paint and the clear coat if you work slowly and gently, instead of scrubbing to try to remove all of the sap quickly.
Understand What Else You Might Remove
Some substances you can use to remove sap from your motorcycle might remove the wax, while others might remove wax and clear coat. Some things you can use to clean the sap off won’t affect the wax at all, though. Always make sure you know exactly what the substance will do to your motorcycle before using it.
Get Professional Help
When all else fails, or if you’re nervous that you might damage the surface of your motorcycle, it’s time to call in reinforcements. A professional detailer will have ample experience safely removing sap from all kinds of vehicles and renewing the wax coating. When in doubt, it’s usually much easier and cheaper to get professional help, rather than risk ruining the paint job.
