Remove pine sap from composite deck

Taz · 09-23-2023, 07:14 AM

What is the safest method to remove pine sap from a composite deck? The deck is only 3 years old. I don't want to damage the finish if I use something like a mineral spirits. This never happened before.

John Mercier · 09-23-2023, 07:38 AM

There is no ''safe'' method because all the composites are slightly different in there exterior coating.

The suggested method tend to be used soap and water at first.
Then become more aggressive with other stick residue removers, checking in an inconspicuous spot at first (I just thought about this... and dealers have samples of the product that you could try the cleaner on first before moving to an inconspicuous spot on the actual deck).

ishoot308 · 09-23-2023, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taz

What is the safest method to remove pine sap from a composite deck? The deck is only 3 years old. I don't want to damage the finish if I use something like a mineral spirits. This never happened before.

Try a stiff brush with Dawn dish soap and water, if that doesn’t do it, try isopropyl alcohol in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t stain or damage…

Dan

Taz · 09-23-2023, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Try a stiff brush with Dawn dish soap and water, if that doesn’t do it, try isopropyl alcohol in an inconspicuous area first to make sure it doesn’t stain or damage…

Dan

Tried dish washing liquid with a stiff brush. There are still white residue marks.

tummyman · 09-23-2023, 09:00 AM

Rub a little butter on it..works great

Winilyme · 09-23-2023, 09:17 AM

I agree with John’s suggested cautious approach. That said, I went straight for the denaturalized alcohol on our composite furniture. Been doing that extensively for three years with no problems. Color of our furniture is very light so I’d be more careful with darker colors.

Descant · 09-23-2023, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taz

Tried dish washing liquid with a stiff brush. There are still white residue marks.

I think it is important to use Dawn, not just any dish washing brand. Dawn is also recommended for paint brushes and removing skunk oil from your dog.

We're closing soon. Mother Nature will do a lot of cleaning over the winter.

Biggd · 09-24-2023, 10:43 AM

Just cleaned the sap off my boat cover, tried hand sanitizer first but that didn't do it. Then I used pure alcohol, and it worked great.
But you can still see a spot where the sap was.

09-23-2023, 07:14 AM	#1
Taz Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 347 Thanks: 3 Thanked 70 Times in 47 Posts	Remove pine sap from composite deck What is the safest method to remove pine sap from a composite deck? The deck is only 3 years old. I don't want to damage the finish if I use something like a mineral spirits. This never happened before.

09-23-2023, 07:38 AM	#2
John Mercier Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2021 Posts: 3,983 Thanks: 3 Thanked 678 Times in 561 Posts	There is no ''safe'' method because all the composites are slightly different in there exterior coating. The suggested method tend to be used soap and water at first. Then become more aggressive with other stick residue removers, checking in an inconspicuous spot at first (I just thought about this... and dealers have samples of the product that you could try the cleaner on first before moving to an inconspicuous spot on the actual deck).

09-23-2023, 09:00 AM	#5
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 887 Thanks: 278 Thanked 761 Times in 271 Posts	Rub a little butter on it..works great

09-23-2023, 09:17 AM	#6
Winilyme Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Ice in = CT / Ice out = Winnipesaukee Posts: 577 Thanks: 168 Thanked 324 Times in 175 Posts	I agree with John’s suggested cautious approach. That said, I went straight for the denaturalized alcohol on our composite furniture. Been doing that extensively for three years with no problems. Color of our furniture is very light so I’d be more careful with darker colors.

The Following User Says Thank You to Winilyme For This Useful Post:
smith point boater (09-25-2023)

09-24-2023, 10:43 AM	#8
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,419 Thanks: 2,428 Thanked 1,269 Times in 812 Posts	Just cleaned the sap off my boat cover, tried hand sanitizer first but that didn't do it. Then I used pure alcohol, and it worked great. But you can still see a spot where the sap was.