TOP TEN TIPS FOR AVOIDING & TACKLING TREE SAP ON YOUR CAR

'Tree sap' commonly refers to the resins secreted by conifers such as pine and fir, as well as honeydew, which is produced by aphids living in deciduous trees such as acers, birch, magnolia, oak, elm, walnut, beech and wisteria. These residues quickly harden due to their high sugar content, and the longer they are left on paintwork the more difficult they can be to remove.

A growing number of hacks circulating on social media recommend the use of substances such as acetone, alcohol, anti-bacterial hand gel, lacquer thinner, turpentine, nail polish remover, petrol and WD40 to remove the sap deposits. However, while some of these chemicals and substances may help to shift hardened tree sap, they can also attack vehicle plastics and rubber trim, and strip away protective coatings.

One hack, which involves scraping away hardened tree sap with a razor blade, is almost certainly one to avoid by motorists who don't want the risk of having to pay out for a costly smart repair.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society, tree sap on vehicles will become more common as overall temperatures in the UK rise further and aphid populations grow. There are currently ...