Parked under some Juniper trees and notice they drip pitch, big time. Before I screw-up the new Gel-Coat, anyone have a suggestion for removal? :-\ Chain saws are not an option.
Mike,
Are you talking about on the roof or sides? Gel coat or paint?
Mike, I've used acetone to remove sap drops from my bay boat's gel coat and on my cars It usually comes right off with a shot of WD-40. On the glass I just use a razor blade and then any remaining residue comes right off with glass cleaner.
Have a great day,
Kirk
No problem on the sides, Dani has freaked me out on high places, so I have not checked the roof. Where we have it, is the stern valence before the rear bumper and the indent just below the camera. WD-40 doth not get it.
Again, makes a big difference whether it is gel coat fiberglass or if this was painted by the previous owner.
I found several recommendations online for using hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, alcohol wipes, etc. The isopropyl alcohol seems to be the "magic" ingredient for dissolving pine tree sap. Use at your own risk. Try on a inconspicuous spot first.
Try one of the clay bars out there,can buy them at auto zone,can use with water or soap solution,will not hurt the gel coat.
Pine sol.
Pine vs Pine? :)
see ya
ken
Easiest way to get grease off is with a light oil.
Uncle Mikie update: thanks for all the replies! Had this on board and took the plunge. With an old towel and VERY GENTLY rubbing, the pitch is coming off, not without a little carefull attention to not "leaning on it", there are no scratches in the valance. I might try the "Bounce Pads" a member suggested for "bug burn". After I buy a large can of cleaner (very smelly!) and some plastic gloves, I'll attempt to do the job.
I'm thinking about buying a small cooler to keep cold beer handy next to my "project". This has "don't rush it" written all over it. ^.^d Oh ya, might as well be comfy at work. b^.^d
Try Pam works great on Dogs.
Anything that does not smell so bad as "Goof Off", is worth a try. Thanks, Nancy. ^.^d
Mikes got a cat!😀😀
Update: Finally got to removing the Juniper pitch, nasty stuff! I liked the "Goof Off", but the smell was terrible. Found the spray bottle version, which was biodegradable, and tried it. Worthless, maybe 10 applications would have gotten most, but not all, off.
The spray works great on light weight stuff (road oil, etc.), but I went back to the nasty and got the pitch off. No, I have not been on the roof to see what the work required to remove the pitch would be, I mite not go there! ^.^d
Mike try a clay bar can get one at Autozone,will zoom those little dots off.
I'll pay for your site if you come out and help.
Will bring mine to "Q".
I thought the last owner painted that coach white? i.e., not gel coat any more.
Yes, you are right, being a Airstream guy, it took me a while to learn the difference between gel coat and paint. They stripped the coach of all the exteriors, painted, and sent her to an application biz for the stripes, which they found from FT and 3M made the apps. She looks brand new; nothing like 12 CBs to spruce a coach up! ^.^d
Naphtha or lighter fluid I think is goof off. Good stuff