Cleaning Sap Off Awming

[Carolyn_374450152]

Hi

We have just got back from France, where we parked our van and awning under a pine tree. Thought it was beautiful, until packing away, and we found we had sap over the back of the van, and on the awning. Is there any effective way to clean it off. It won't come off the van either, and has left a black, sticky mark. I would be grateful for some advice. Many thanks.

 

[Suzac]

We had the same problem on returning from France at the end of June. The sap appears to have been particularly bad this year as we have stayed on the same pitch under the same trees in previous years with little problem. There have been several previous threads on this matter and it would be worth doing a search for advice. In our case we must have had 200+ spots of sap on the caravan roof. I eventually got it all off using Methylated Spirits (as recommended by someone on a previous thread) and a thumbnail but it took me about six hours.Afterwards I gave the roof a good wash and a polish.As regards the awning you should be able to get it off the roof OK but the darned stuff gets in the weave of the side panels and is not easy to remove without making a worse mess.

 

[Suzac]

Search under "Sap" for last 6 months and a couple of threads come up.

 

[Carolyn_374458147]

Thanks for the advice. We'll give it a go!!

 

[DomDom]

Meths is very harsh. Before you get to that level I suggest a bar of detailing clay. This is what us detailers (show car level of preparation & shine) use to get sap & general contamination off car paint. Works like a champ on paint. I have also used it to good effect on a gelcoated boat.

Look at something like www.polishedbliss.co.uk or www.cleanyourcar.com. Go for an aggressive clay. Use with rubber gloves and mist water (plant sprayer) on to the panel as you rub it with the clay. 3 or 4 passes will see the job done. Probably about 30 minutes for the back of a standard caravan.

Safe on glass but be careful (try a small test) on polycarbonate windows.

Hope this helps.

Dom.