I posted a while back that I noticed very small speckles on the windshield, and other glass on the car. I knew it couldn't be from any fast driving on the highway (only have about 1,800 miles on her now). There must have been a pine tree near the car on the dealers lot where it lightly misted the car with sap. I tried everything to get the speckles off (strong window cleaners, etc., with no luck). So, I went ahead and used a single edged razor blade and I gently went across the windshield and other windows and I was able to get about 90% of the stuff off.
The problem is that I don't want to use the razor blade technique on the outside rearview mirrors. I believe that they're coated with something that makes the surface softer. I've already tried a plastic polish and window cleaner. What else could I use that won't damage or scratch the rearview mirrors and yet remove these small sap speckles?

 

I would try denatured alcohol & or this other product called Goof Off or Goo Off.

 

Use Simple Green.

 

Marcus and DRU thanks! I'll give them a try.

 

You're scarin me with this razor blade talk!.. don't scratch your baby!! Just go to the store and get some "Bug and Tar remover" you can find it in the auto care section of any store like Wal-Mart or K-mart, it's usually near the wheel cleaners, waxes.. etc.. (GOO Gone works REALLy well too)

 

Plyfender, I did try lighter fluid and mineral spirits on the windshield and that did not remove the finely misted sap (remember it sat on the lot for 3 months). I was as careful as possible in using the blade and it was the only thing would remove this baked on sap.
I will try the Goo Gone, rubbing alcohol, etc., to remove the stuff off of the rearview mirrors.

 

You can try the 3M bug and tar remover spray it works great for stuff like that and it dont hurt the paint.

 

Nyc2kMax, I have the liquid version of that...but the spray is a foam and I could definitely let it sit on the mirror longer. It might work.

 

soaking a rag in hot water with some detergent in it to help soften the sap. Soak it, do not wring any water out, and place the rag over the area. You could also gently zip tie a plastic bag around the are to help keep the rag from drying out and leave it sit for quite a while.

 

jjs, thanks! Another good method.

 

Would a clay bar work for this? I've never tried it on sap, but it might work. Just another idea. Good luck getting that stuff off.

 

2k1seae, yes a clay bar might work...but like I said I do want to make sure that I don't scratch the surface of the mirrors. I guess if I use a good lubricant (like Meguiar's Quik Detailer), it just might work.

 

With a good lubricant, clay bar won't scratch glass. I work in an industrial area where there are a lot of contaminants in the air. The clay cleans that stuff off the windshield and saves my wipers from getting destroyed. You could probably just use some car wash soap and water for a lubricant. Maybe worth a try.

 

2k1seae, I'll give it shot!

 

K.I.S.S.


Bug and Tar Remover. IT WORKS

 

Check this thread, they say use 3m Adhesive removal:

http://www.autopia.ws/forums/showthr...0&pagenumber=1

 

MarcusJY, I tried the clay bar and 3M bug and tar remover on the mirrors and the sparkles are still there. I also used the claybar on the windshield because at certain low angles of the sun I would see sand sparkle in my windshield (and the other windows). Anyway this morning at work early I checked out another '02 SE (a friend at work) with low mileage like mine and low and behold as the sun was coming up (low angle) I could see that he had the same sand sparkle in his windshield. I also checked another '02 SE in the parking and saw the same thing. This must be normal. I guess the sand sparkle on the rearview mirrors is the same as the windshield and other windows on the car.

 

i use WD-40. Spray it on and rub lightly. Then repeat until it's gone.

 

Concentrated windshield wahser fluid!! Just go down to the local NAPA, buy a $0.99 botle of concentrated windshield washer fluid, put some on a nice soft terry towel, and it will take off any amount of tree sap or suicidal bugs. I use to live at a place with a pine tree above my drive way. I would always get pine sap on my car and would have to struggle to remove it. I asked a salesman at the local NAPA what i should use. To my suprise he told me to try the above. It works everytime. Plus did i say it was cheap...

Craig

 

MaxSE03, you won't believe this, but even using a clay bar wouldn't remove this tiny sand sparkle spots that you only see when the sun is a low angle (early morning and dusk). Check out my post above...I checked some other new '02 SE's and they had the same "sand sparkle" on their windshields, windows, and rearview mirrors. Must be something in the manufacturing process (the plastic which is sandwiched between the glass must have this quality).