To escape the blazing South African sun during summer, we usually park our cars under the nearest tree to get some shade. But, on your return, you may discover that the tree has left sticky deposits on the car’s paintwork.
Let’s find out more about how to deal with these spots.1 Please consult with your vehicle manual and car dealership before doing anything. It’s best to not make things worse by incorrectly trying to remove deposits on your car’s paintwork, which would be costly respray. There could be numerous causes of deposits being present on your car’s paintwork. Please ensure that it is properly diagnosed and that you take the correct measures to remove it.
What are these deposits? 1
Although people attribute these deposits to tree sap, they are probably due to honey dew, a substance excreted by aphids living in the tree. As the name suggests, honey dew consists mainly of sugars.
How do you remove this sticky substance? 1
These spots won’t budge when using ordinary soap solutions. Please don’t leave them either as they will go hard and black over time and become even more challenging to clean. But don’t despair – here are some tips for eliminating these sticky spots, according to howstuffworks.com.1
Use some nail polish remover1
Add some nail polish remover to a cotton bud, and you should be able to wipe away the sticky spot. Then add a paste of water and baking soda to prevent any paint from being removed. After that, wash the area thoroughly with water.
Will turpentine work? 1
Add some turpentine to a soft cloth and rub the spot, which should disappear. Then, wash the area thoroughly with water to remove any remains.
You can use lighter fuel1
Apply topically to the sticky spots and allow the solvent to dissolve them. Then wipe off the rest of the sticky stuff.
You can choose a car cleaning product or tar remover1
Apply the product according to instructions and eliminate the sticky spots.
How can you restore any dull areas? 1
Some of the paintwork may have lost some of its shine because of the removal process. Next, polish the affected spots with a car wax product to restore the lustre.
Your car’s paintwork can quite quickly become damaged. But what about damage caused when the vehicle is involved in an accident? Have you taken out the right car insurance for your needs and wallet? If you are unsure, call PMD, who can provide you with more information on their affordable car insurance with unique benefits such as fixed premiums*, and a reduce to zero excess, with world-class service. T’s and C’s apply.
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This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.