We are approaching that time of year when many folks will be transporting a freshly cut Christmas tree home to decorate for the holidays. Make absolutely sure that you protect your truck bed from the remnants of the tree needles which may have pine pitch on them. It’s best to remove the tree and store it somewhere else, don’t leave it on your truck once you are back home. The longer tree sap is on your truck bed or anywhere on its’ finish, the more involved and laborious removing it will be.
Fresh pine sap and dried-on sap are two different issues to remove. If you have a bed liner, you will still want to remove any traces of pitch on it, as well as the finish exposed finish areas of your pickup. Removing sap is a tad more difficult that removing tar or bird droppings. If it is done incorrectly, removing dried and hardened sap will scratch your paint. I discovered that hand rubbing the spots of pitch with mineral spirits, which are easy to buy in stores, is great to use. The mineral spirits act as a solvent to break up and dissolve the sap.
If you have a very large area of sap marks on your truck, for example due to a work site that has lots of pine trees, or if the sap has been left on undetected for quite awhile, I found that if you apply some rubbing compound it will remove the hardened surface area making the use of mineral spirits after that step much easier. The rubbing compound is a specifically formulated blend of oils, solvents and water, and are designed to remove paint scratches, stains and acid rain etchings, so it works great for the sap as well because it softens it. Rubbing compounds may be applied either by hand or with a machine. Just keep in mind that a lighter pressure is desired to avoid scratching the paint.
Another idea is to use an orange-based solvent, such as Orange Sol or Citra Solve along with children’s molding clay. You simply apply a bit of the solvent and rub it with the clay. That makes it abrasive enough to scrub off the sap after it’s been broken down when the solvent does its job. Keep in mind that the chemicals used to move the sap can also remove your wax or sealants, so be sure to spot wax or re-wax your truck after you remove the sap.
I have heard of many things that folks have tried on pine sap, such as antibacterial hand gel, mayonnaise, ice cubes, denatured alcohol, WD-40, nail polish remover, pure lard, and Avon Skin-So-Soft bath oil, just to name a few. I cannot recommend or dispute any of these because I have not personally used them as I have the mineral spirits, CitraSolve, molding clay and rubbing compound. Obviously, your trucks’ windows are different from its paint finish, in which case any sap on glass can be removed with a razor blade.
Some of nature’s elements can enhance the effects of sap on your paint finish such as hot weather, particularly the baking of it from the sun. It can harden the sap and turn it black, making it harder than ever to remove. Running your truck through the car wash will definitely not do the trick. It takes more than just the soap and warm water. Some detailing professionals swear by Goof Off and Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover, but you must be careful to follow directions to the letter to eliminate unintentional damage to your pickup.
All vehicles and situations can require different methods, depending on your trucks’ finish, be it clear coat or pearl. If you have any doubt which product, home item or method is best for your type of truck finish, it’s always best to consult a body shop or mechanic who has dealt with this situation before for the best detailed advice. Best prevention method is to be aware of what you park near or underneath, and when it’s time to cut that Christmas tree down, protect your truck bed, even if you have a liner or bed mat, with a sheet or tarp while transporting your holiday tree home.
Beware Of This When Buying A Used Pickup Truck
Of course a shiny brand new truck is a thrill for any truck lover, but if your wallet can’t deal with a big monthly payment and you still need a pickup for work or just because you want one, use the following tips to prevent getting yourself a lemon or having to sink crazy dollars into the truck right after you buy it because the seller misrepresented the vehicle.
New Year – New Truck? Top Four Best Pickups
If you are like everyone else, you may have made a resolution last New Years that you didn’t keep, which may have been to take better care of your old pickup. The up side to that is that you may be in the market for a new truck to start the New Year. Here is what the manufacturers are claiming to be the top four choices in brand new pickup trucks for 2017.
Plowing Snow With Your Pickup Truck
There is no denying that snow season has arrived. If you’re a truck owner with a snow plow, as much as you may dread all the inches of white stuff, you have to admit there is a certain appeal to the flashing strobe lights, the whine of hydraulics and the sound of steel dragging on the pavement. At times it might feel like you are playing with your favorite toy, but there is no mistaking the price and value of that toy, hence you had better know how to use it wisely and make it last. If you are new to plowing or purchasing a plow for the first time, I think you will find my information regarding features and options valuable.
