Cleaning sap or similar off my Skoda Octavia

[aslsw]

I'd really appreciate some help with the best way of cleaning something that looks like sap from my car. I think we picked it up a few weeks back on a trip to Sydney.

Here's what it is like:

- it is clear,
- when it first appeared, it had the consistency of wax but it has hardened in the colder weather,
- I've pushed a bit with a fingernail. The top layer disintegrates into a white-ish powder, but then leaves a smear mark,
- there are about 12-15 of these spots over just one section of the bonnet.

Any idea on the best products to use for this. I would prefer something easily available (ie. in retail outlets) but I guess if the best has to be ordered in, then that's what I will do.

Thanks

[brad]

my general method of attacking mystery blobs is to start with something mild & work my way upwards.
carwash
eucalyptus oil
spot & tar remover
metho
kero
turps
petrol

remove gunk, claybar, sealant, wax, whatever

[team_v]

Boiling water over sap will liquify it and allow a wash off with relative ease.
That is how i do it, and no nasty chemicals are used.

[Jayray]

Boiling water over sap will liquify it and allow a wash off with relative ease.
That is how i do it, and no nasty chemicals are used.

I second that. Works every time with sap and bird/bat poop

[gecko2k]

As mentioned before boiling water works well, if the area is too big, you can also attack it with a claybar and some quick-detailer, that has always helped me to get rid of nasty tree sap...