Has anyone tried a good spray steam cleaner to clean stubborn dirt off their car? one of my wheels is horribly dirty and no cleaner will get the dirt off. I'm wondering if a professional steam cleaner would do it.

Also, would steam break down dried tree sap? Can't get rid of that without anything but 3M Adhesive remover and i don't think thats too good on the paint.

 

I never have used steam on the wheels but I have the 3m adhesive remover and I use it on my car. Or you could try and get the clar bar from mothers car care.

 

I did not realize a clay bar would remove sap?
I learn something new every day

 

Look out when trying to remove sap with a clay bar. I tried, and I made a bigger mess. The clay stuck to the sap!

 

Distephano,
Was this wet tree sap that stuck to it or dried tree sap?

Also, what brand of clay bar did you use, and what brand of lubricant for the clay? I've heard some are better than others.

 

Stay away from the Meguiar's clay. Mother's, Clay Magic, and Zaino clay are the best. Use plenty of lube, or clay will stick. You can make your own lube by putting about 8 drops of Dawn into a 16 ounce spray bottle of water, or substitute Zaino car wash for the Dawn. You can also use Zaino Z6 as the lube. The lube that comes with clay bars is usually loaded with silicones, so you'd have to wash it off really good when you're through.

 

You can also try using Goo Gone for the tree sap.

 

Use some WD-40 to get the sap off.

I had some road grease fling on my fenders and I tried to get it off with just a damp paper towel, but it wouldn't come off. I sprayed WD-40 on it and the grease came right off. Just make sure that you're washing the car immediately after you apply the WD-40 because you don't want to leave any traces of it on your paint.