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Topic: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat. (Read 1488 times) previous topic - next topic

Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

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.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #1
Mike,

Are you talking about on the roof or sides?  Gel coat or paint?
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #2
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
Kirk, Cindy & Porsche
2005 U320 42'  Build #6335
Rosenberg, Tx

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #3
Are you talking about on the roof or sides?  Gel coat or paint?

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. 
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #4
Again, makes a big difference whether it is gel coat fiberglass or if this was painted by the previous owner.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #5
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.
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #6
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.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #7
Pine sol.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #8
Pine vs Pine? :)

see ya
ken
The selected media item is not currently available.ken & dori hathaway & Big Agnes
🍺1992 U300 GrandVilla WTBI #4150 FOT FBP 2011
✨6V-92TA DDEC Parlor Coach 350HP Series 92
🏁2011 Nissan XTerra Pro-4X

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #9
Easiest way to get grease off is with a light oil.
The selected media item is not currently available. Dave Head & Megan Westbrook
Titusville, FL - The Great Outdoors
'98 270 buying this month
Toad is a 2018 F150 XLT

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #10
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
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #11
Try Pam works great on Dogs.
1988  40' Grand Villa Cat 3208t

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #12

Anything that does not smell so bad as "Goof Off", is worth a try. Thanks, Nancy.  ^.^d 
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #13
Mikes got a cat!😀😀
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #14
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
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #15
Mike try a clay bar can get one at Autozone,will zoom those little dots off.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #16
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.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #17
Will bring mine to "Q".
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #18
I thought the last owner painted that coach white?  i.e., not gel coat any more.
1996 U295 36' WTBI

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #19
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
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

 

Re: Tree Pitch on Gel-Coat.

Reply #20
Naphtha or lighter fluid I think is goof off.  Good stuff
"Riding and rejoicing"
Bob
1997 U320 40' Mid entry, build 5132,  wtbi ce27, 4th owner
2007 Solara convertible
2 prodeco tech outlaw ss electric bikes

1095 watts solar
08 Ls 460 and a sc430
2000 Ford F-250 superduty 4x4