how sap can damage your car:
Aesthetically displeasing
Vehicles are a big investment, and no one wants their vehicle covered in tree sap which just attracts more dirt and debris to stick to your car and build up over time. Tree sap can be one of the most stubborn substances to remove from your vehicle’s surface, and attempting to do it yourself can lead to scratches or permanent damage.
permenant paint damage
Tree sap is acidic and can slowly eat away at your car’s clear coat—the protective layer of your vehicle’s paint. Over time, this can lead to permanent etching and discoloration of the paint. Once sap hardens, it becomes extremely difficult to remove without specialized cleaners. Trying to scrape it off can scratch your car’s surface.
damage to glass
Sap creates a sticky, hazy film on the windshield, which can distort your view of the road. Sap can also cling to your wiper blades, making them less effective at clearing the windshield. If left untreated, the wipers can scratch the glass as they scrape across. The combination of sap and UV exposure can also make the sap harden and lead to permanent staining and etching that is hard to remove.
sap doesn’t have to be a permanent problem
The good news is that tree sap doesn’t have to be a permanent problem. Our professional technicians at Mint Mobile Detail have the expertise and specialized tools to safely and effectively remove sap without harming your car’s paint or finish.
1. Act Quickly: The sooner you catch sap on your car, the easier it is to remove. Fresh sap is softer and more manageable, while dried sap can harden and bond with your car’s surface. The longer you wait, the more time, tools, chemicals and equipment will be required to remove the substance. Acting quickly will protect your car’s paint (and your budget).
2. Mint Technicians will Perform a Thorough Inspection:
Detailers begin by inspecting the entire vehicle to identify sap spots and assess how long the sap has been on the surface. Older sap is harder to remove and may require additional treatment. Different types of sap also have different properties and require specialized knowledge to know how to remove them safely and effectively.
3. We Use Specialized Detailing Products to Break the Bond Between the Sap and Your Paint:
Unlike household cleaners or DIY solutions, our professionals use commercial-grade sap removers specifically designed to break down and dissolve sap. These products soften the sap without damaging the paint, allowing for a safe and efficient removal.
4. Polishing & Restoration to Remove Etching:
After sap is removed, we will buff and polish the affected area to restore the shine and eliminate any minor imperfections caused by the sap. This step helps bring the paint back to its original condition.
5. We will Apply a Protective Ceramic Sealant:
Finally, our professional detailers apply a protective ceramic sealant that last 6 months. This added layer not only makes your car shine but also deters sap from bonding in the future, making it easier to remove if it happens again.
What level of treatment does your car need?
Stage one
Newly fallen sap that has not hardened or had time to bond to the paint can be more efficiently addressed. Catching the sap early is the most cost- effective way to get your car clean and keep it protected. Once your car is clean, we will apply a ceramic sealant that deters sap from bonding to your car for up to 6 months.
stage Two
When you leave sap sitting on your paint, it gives it more time to harden, bond to the paint and attract more dirt and debris that builds up on top of the sticky sap. This makes removing the sap more difficult and time consuming. This means that our technicians will need to use more aggressive cleaners and polish the vehicle once the sap is removed to address the etching that was caused by the sap.
stage Three
Tree sap contains natural chemicals and acids that can react with your car’s paint. As time passes, the acids in the sap begin to break down the clear coat, creating a chemical reaction that starts eating into the paint underneath. Once we have removed the sap, we can determine the sap has caused etching in your paint. If it has, we will need to perform a two-step polish to remove the marks and restore the shine.
CANCELLATION POLICY: A 25% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. If you cancel or reschedule with less than 72 hours’ notice, you will forfeit your deposit. This deposit goes directly to our technicians to compensate them for reserved time. Please also be aware of the arrival window for your appointment. If a vehicle is not available for cleaning within 15 minutes of our arrival.