Removing tree sap and bird droppings
Jacaranda sap, pine resin and bird droppings bake onto paint in summer sun. Soften, lift, never scrape.
15 minBeginner5 steps
Bird droppings are acidic and, on hot paint, can leave a dull etched mark within days. Tree sap — jacaranda in Pretoria in spring, pine and syringa elsewhere — is sticky when fresh and goes hard and glassy in the sun. Both come off safely if you soften them first. The worst thing you can do is scrape them dry with a fingernail.
- 1
Act as soon as you see it
The longer it sits in Highveld sun, the more likely it is to etch. Keep a bottle of Quick Detailer and a microfibre in the boot.
- 2
Soak, do not wipe
Fold a microfibre, wet it with warm water, lay it over the dropping or sap and leave it for three to five minutes to soften.
- 3
Lift it off
Mist with Quick Detailer or Waterless Wash and gently lift — pinch the towel upward rather than wiping across. Repeat the soak if anything is left.
Bay tip · For hard sap, a second warm soak works better than any amount of rubbing.
- 4
Check for etching
Once clean, look at the spot at an angle. A dull outline means the clear coat is etched; light marks may polish out, so book a detail rather than scrubbing at it.
- 5
Protect the paint
A slick Ceramic Shield layer gives droppings and sap less grip and buys you time before they bite.
Common mistakes
- Scraping with a fingernail or card
- Dry-wiping a fresh dropping, which drags grit across the paint
- Parking under jacarandas or pines for days in spring
- Using harsh solvents that damage trim and protection