Pine Sap UGH!

[pricerj]

Just got back from 4 glorious days in Yosemite Valley, along with 4 days of pine sap dropped on my Sunbrella top. Do you have any favorite "Sunbrella-safe" easy ways to clean off this goo?

[fallsrider]

I don't know how to clean off the sap, but this sounds like a great excuse to get sportsman blankets or PopUp Gizmos for your pup! They not only keep the interior more comfortable, but they protect your canvas as well.

['tiredTeacher]

Just got back from 4 glorious days in Yosemite Valley, along with 4 days of pine sap dropped on my Sunbrella top. Do you have any favorite "Sunbrella-safe" easy ways to clean off this goo?

Mayonnaise or bacon grease work well and won't harm the fabric. Just wash them off with soap and water after application.

[flyfisherman]

I cover my bunk ends for that very reason ... all the "crap" that can be deposited on them can make cleaning them a real chore. For washing my Starcraft "Aqualon", I like to use Murphy's Oil Soap. Does a most excellent job on just about everything (except pine sap!) - when pine sap does get on the camper (usually the aluminum roof), and also the TV, I use a 70% isopropyl alcohol (buy it by the pint at Wally-Mart) and that disolves the pine sap just great and does not harm the painted surfaces of the PU or TV.

Don't know how the alcohol would work out on Sunbrella but you might try dabbing some right on the sap itself and see if that would break the bond and immedialetly washing the solution off.





Fly

[backpacker3]

Have used Pop Up Gizmos since the day I bought my PUP for that very reason and they do work and are well worth the investment. Not sure what will work the best for sap removal but I usually use a mild detergent cleaner and a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for other stains.

[Dray]

I've got to get a set of those Popup Gizmos.  Now that I know they have two very useful purposes they seem like a good deal.

[maromeo]

I have used Citrus Pro. It is a degreaser and can be purchased at auto parts supply store in the area where they sell wash and waxes for vehicle. It worked great on tree sap for me.

I also use Pop up gizmos and love them. I especially use them when we are camping in the pines.

Mary Romeo

[pricerj]

Here's a "am I stupid or what" epiphany... A co-worker told me he used a four to one Pine-Sol to water solution. I tried it and this stuff came off with a single pass of the wash cloth. What I was expecting to be a 2 hour job was done in ten minutes.

Pine-Sol, pine solvent, who knew?  I just thought they called it that because of the scent.

[homer]

Just got back from 4 glorious days in Yosemite Valley, along with 4 days of pine sap dropped on my Sunbrella top. Do you have any favorite "Sunbrella-safe" easy ways to clean off this goo?

This is a crux to camping.  We tented for years and thought about a popup to get off the ground.  After borrowing  our daughters new popup and parking under the canopy of the trees, I discovered the sap and rosin all over the top and ends. It has been so long ago I can't remember how we got it off.
Then 8 yrs ago we quit tenting and bought a 77 Apache Ranger with solid ends with no canvas. I decided to buy a large tarp to go over the whole thing and keep the stuff from getting on the camper for me to have to clean off.
 We have replaced it once  and the last one I bought was a farm duty tarp and have now used it for 5 seasons.  WOW! it lasted nearly 3 times longer than the cheap blue one.
  I won't go camping now without taking the tarp. It serves  as a cover to keep camper CLEAN, also a BIG awning.  I think it is 18' X 24" and I bought it for 1/2 price 5yrs ago for $16.  I think a darn good investment.  I fastened one side to the camper with jeep top fasteners .  Before raising the top, I fasten it down and lay it on the top then raise the top.  Then I stretch it across and put adjustable poles in the grommets  with a parachute cords already fastened to the grommets and drive tent pegs in the ground and tie the cord to them.
 When packing up to leave , I lower the top and fold up the tarp while it's still fastened then unhook it and finish folding. Never hits the ground!
  Since I have been doing this our camper is still clean when we arrive home .  Something to think about and if interested you can do it. If you have the Jan-Feb 2005 issue of POPUP TIMES , you can see and read the article about the first tarp I used.
'homer'