Pine Sap!

kenn209 · 02-24-2013, 09:38 AM

I have the misfortune of parking the camper under a pine tree, Well at least the front camp portion. (any one wanna cut it down for me?) Anyway, What can I use to clean the pine sap off of. At least the front cap. Looks horrible.

2011 keystone · 02-24-2013, 10:22 AM

WD-40 works great.

**JRTJH** · 02-24-2013, 10:35 AM

WD 40 will work. Goo-gone will work, several other cleaners will work. Be careful about getting any of those products on the EPDM roof or any adjacent Everbond tape as the cleaners have petroleum distillates in them and will damage the rubber roof. I'd not be too worried about the roof, you can't see it and if you can manage to stop parking under that tree, the roof stains will eventually go away with normal annual cleaning.

kenn209 · 02-24-2013, 11:31 AM

Could I use fingernail polish remover? Sparingly of course.

ktmracer · 02-24-2013, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2011 keystone

WD-40 works great.

yup, and IMHO one of the few things WD-40 is good for, certainly not as a lube!! Naptha also works well. I carry a spray can of WD-40 just for getting sap off hands, paint etc.

But as mentioned DO NOT use it on the roof membrane!

Cougarfamily · 02-24-2013, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JRTJH

WD 40 will work. Goo-gone will work, several other cleaners will work. Be careful about getting any of those products on the EPDM roof or any adjacent Everbond tape as the cleaners have petroleum distillates in them and will damage the rubber roof. I'd not be too worried about the roof, you can't see it and if you can manage to stop parking under that tree, the roof stains will eventually go away with normal annual cleaning.

Is it necessary to wash the roof every year?

And is just water and a brush enough?

Festus2 · 02-24-2013, 07:01 PM

There are lots of posts/threads about roof cleaning and maintenance already on the forum. Try using your search feature to find out how often it should be cleaned and what products are recommended.

raytronx · 02-24-2013, 07:31 PM

I had a fair amount of pine sap on my rubber roof from a summer season on Vancouver Island, I didn't try to force it off and eventually it disappeared. Not a trace of it now 4 months later under the desert sun. The front cap I keep really well waxed and hardly anything can stick to it very well. Bounce dryer sheets are good to get sticky things off the fiberglass.

**hankpage** · 02-25-2013, 05:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenn209

Could I use fingernail polish remover? Sparingly of course.

NO!!!!! Some contain acetone and will remove the finish and leave a very dull spot. It will look like you sanded the area. JM2¢, Hank

ewkearns · 02-25-2013, 10:41 AM

WD-40 is 88% a combination of:
Aliphatic Hydrocarbon
Petroleum Base Oil
LVP Aliphatic Hydrocarbon

So, my unscientific assessment is that it is probably mostly benzene with a light oil mixed in. And yes, it really sucks as a lubricant.... mostly because that is not what it was designed to be..... it is WD- or.... a water dispersant.... it is pretty good at that.

Goo Gone is:

Hydrotreated light distillates, d-Limonene, and Tripropyleneglycol methyl ether.... whatever THEY are.....

Fingernail polish remover is mostly Acetone.... and it will strip EVERTHING off of the surface. Be prepared for some serious waxing if you go there.... (just don't.)

fla-gypsy · 02-25-2013, 05:29 PM

I have had some luck with hand cleaners with NO abrasives/no citrus cleaners that are high in lanolin. Apply it liberally over the spot and allow it to soften the sap and gently buff it off. It can take multiple applications but will not hurt the finish.

rbjsaylo · 02-25-2013, 05:35 PM

When we were out last season, our good friends went to the mountains in Glacier National Park with their dog. They spent the weekend out there and when they got back, the dog's belly and fur under her belly was covered in sap despite their best efforts to bath her.

I had heard from my Grandmother many years ago about using Peanut Butter on sap to break it down. I use it on my glass as well as my hood and roof with no ill effects.

I told them to just try it on a spot under the dog and voila! They were able to clean up the dog very easily and the dog enjoyed it too once the sap was gone.

kenn209 · 02-25-2013, 06:02 PM

I have used Mayonnaise before, it worked but took some doing, it softens the sap.

dandjh1958 · 02-26-2013, 09:20 AM

Lestoil- You can get it at Home Depot. Doesn't harm car surfaces and I have used it on my Popup all the time since we camp in the woods almost 100% of the time in Oregon.

A little goes a LONG way! Its kind of like WD-40- you can use it for a multitude of things

**JRTJH** · 02-26-2013, 10:11 AM

Lestoil is OK to use on the painted surfaces of your RV, but be careful using it on the roof. It contains Stoddard Solvent, a petroleum based product. DICOR cautions against using petroleum based products on the EPDM roof.

kenn209 · 02-26-2013, 10:30 AM

Thanks everyone for the help. I only will work on the fiberglass front cap for now.

dandjh1958 · 02-27-2013, 07:15 PM

Good to know about not using it on the roof..... my popup's roof is much different than my TT......

jas8698 · 04-10-2013, 01:44 PM

butter works great on hands. maybe on this too?

bill&fawne · 04-13-2013, 07:51 AM

A simple but effective way to remove pine sap is Hand sanitizer . It works great and will even remove the nasty bug guts.

homer3 · 09-07-2013, 03:27 PM

as funny as it may sound, mayonnaise always worked for me when cutting pine trees for fire wood. use the mayo to wash the sap off me hands worked great.

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