PROTECT PAINT FROM TREE SAP

[garrup]

...........advice needed here guys. My driveway is overshadowed by the biggest weed tree you ever saw. Its a poplar tree with a trunk 3 ft in diameter and a crown about 75ft in diameter. This tree goes through various nasty stages. For 3 weeks in April it lets go some weird little sticky black thing, then for the next two months it drops sticky brown pods. After that, for SEVERAL MONTHS it releases a fine spray of sap daily, which drifts down on about half the cars on the block. The aforementioned sticky brown pods will stain your paint. If the weather is hot they can do such a good job of this staining that you can't get it off without marring your paint. Or can you? Anyone know a way?The sap which sprays down for the rest of the summer and into late fall is like a fine varnish. You can see it through your windshield where it appears as a fine drop marbling. This sap hardens quickly in the heat and also won't come off readily.I know its dumb to have a new car under such a tree, but the town constable has been warning people that kids are going around at night scratching the ()ell out of anything shiny and new that is parked on the street. I had mine down and across the street for the first couple of days but now I figure I'd rather approach the sap tree problem then the emotionally unbalanced kid problem. If anyone has experience in removing this crap from their paint without marring the finish, i would be immensely appreciative.I was wondering if a heavy wax job might help?

[versa2nr]

well it doesn't hurt to wash your car regularly. But waxing it more frequently and going after it with a clay bar on a regular basis is about all I can think of other than staying away from said tree.

[Versagirlie]

how about cut the tree down..I'm sure all the cars will be happier

[Ever Victorious]

how about cut the tree down..I'm sure all the cars will be happier

No kidding. Poplars and alders are nasty during the spring and early summer. A nice broad-leaf maple or a couple fruit trees would make a nice replacement.

but barring that, keeping your car appropriately cleaned and waxed will help with the tree problem.

As for the emotionally unstable children... I suggest an angry, hungry wolverine with an extendable lead.