Pine tree resin on solar panel

dinnyberry · 04-21-2018, 08:11 PM

It seems my neighbor's tree has dropped gobs of resin on my solar panels. Does anyone have any suggestions on removing the sticky stuff without damaging the panel. My first thought was a razor blade but I thought I would ask for help before doing anything to drastic.

davescape · 04-21-2018, 08:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinnyberry

It seems my neighbor's tree has dropped gobs of resin on my solar panels. Does anyone have any suggestions on removing the sticky stuff without damaging the panel. My first thought was a razor blade but I thought I would ask for help before doing anything to drastic.

Butter or peanut butter. Really! Its biodegradable and non-toxic.

gbaglo · 04-21-2018, 08:22 PM

I'd apply ice to make the resin brittle and then use a single sided razor blade ( the same that's used for removing paint from windows and for cleaning smooth top stoves ).

padlin · 04-21-2018, 08:22 PM

Isopropyl Alcohol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lHnT7cSgRU

gbaglo · 04-21-2018, 08:33 PM

Can you tell me the result? Or, do I have to watch 7 minutes and 58 seconds of video. I know Goo Gone doesn't work very well, if at all.

Rossue · 04-21-2018, 08:42 PM

Similar to auto paint; if hardened first get some hot water to soften, then use Turtle wax bug & tar remover or isopropyl. Been there, done that.

PGDriver · 04-21-2018, 08:48 PM

Razor blade then a solvent can be used as the glass is tempered, you won’t hurt it.

Cheers
Doug

gbaglo · 04-21-2018, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossue

Similar to auto paint; if hardened first get some hot water to soften, then use Turtle wax bug & tar remover or isopropyl. Been there, done that.

I go the opposite way. Ice it and the resin will shatter with application of the blade. Most of it will fall away and then you can apply isopropyl. I would not use blade on paint or gel coat, only on glass.

BruceW · 04-21-2018, 09:01 PM

I have had the best results on pine tar and road tar with 3M General Purpose Adhesive Remover 08984. Comes in a quart at automotive parts or paint stores or Amazon. Quart lasts almost forever.

Rossue · 04-21-2018, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

I go the opposite way. Ice it and the resin will shatter with application of the blade. Most of it will fall away and then you can apply isopropyl. I would not use blade on paint or gel coat, only on glass.

Seems we're polar opposites in general. Ok by me

gbaglo · 04-21-2018, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rossue

Seems we're polar opposites in general. Ok by me

I cannot disagree.

scubarx · 04-21-2018, 11:20 PM

I watched an old maintenance man remove chewing gum from carpet with a can of R-12 with a short piece of hose and a valve. He squirted a little of the freon on the wad and it instantly froze solid. He then use a narrow blade putty knife to break it out and just vacuumed up the pieces. Freezing it will work. Seems like heat would just make it more gooey.

Rossue · 04-21-2018, 11:26 PM

Maybe for gum & carpet, however for pine sap on clear coat (automotive or FG) working with soft goo is easier to remove safely with a cutting agent.

gbaglo · 04-22-2018, 12:18 AM

We are talking about pine sap on a solar panel.

ThomasG · 04-22-2018, 12:40 AM

Isopropyl alcohol worked well for me on glass, gel coat and tow vehicle paint.

AKCamper · 04-22-2018, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by padlin

Isopropyl Alcohol

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lHnT7cSgRU

Without a doubt, I found out a long time ago that alcohol works like nothing else.

escape artist · 04-22-2018, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gbaglo

We are talking about pine sap on a solar panel.

Hi: gbaglo... Not trying to be a "Sap" about it but Waterless hand cleaner works wonders. Whatever fragrance you have on hand will do, probably due to the content of "Isopryl alcohol in it.

Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

dinnyberry · 04-22-2018, 09:07 AM

Thanks for all the good suggestions. I went out to the garage to find some alcohol, of the isopropyl variety, and came up empty handed. I did find some acetone and that in combination with a micro fiber cloth took the resin off in short order. No razor blade was needed.

BruceW · 04-22-2018, 11:28 AM

Acetone will certainly work, but be careful not to leave it on the gel coat for too long. Acetone is used to thin gel coat for spraying and for clean up and can soften or remove the gloss from fiberglass if left on too long or rubbed too hard. I still recommend 3M GP Adhesive Remover. In addition to the qt size they also have a 12 oz aerosol. 3M also makes a less aggressive one called just “3M Adhesive Remover”.(no General Purpose in the name) in aerosol which I’ve not tried. It may be more available. There also is a “Specialty” version which has some really nasty chemicals in it. I wouldn’t mess with that.

dinnyberry · 04-22-2018, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BruceW

Acetone will certainly work, but be careful not to leave it on the gel coat for too long. Acetone is used to thin gel coat for spraying and for clean up and can soften or remove the gloss from fiberglass if left on too long or rubbed too hard. I still recommend 3M GP Adhesive Remover. In addition to the qt size they also have a 12 oz aerosol. 3M also makes a less aggressive one called just “3M Adhesive Remover”.(no General Purpose in the name) in aerosol which I’ve not tried. It may be more available. There also is a “Specialty” version which has some really nasty chemicals in it. I wouldn’t mess with that.

Thanks for the heads up on the gel coat. I only used the acetone on the glass of the solar panel

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