Many of us choose to park our cars under trees for the benefits of the shade. After all, no one wants to climb into a hot, musty car. While having a cool vehicle is a great perk, when we park under trees we also run the risk of falling victim to natural vandalism coming from those very trees. Tree pollen and the mess left behind by birds are easy to remove. However, it's when we end up with cars covered with tree sap that we're presented with a real challenge.

If tree sap is a problem for you, perhaps one or two of these cleaning tips will help:

• A light duty buffing compound works to soften the sappy area. Try this first and then use one of the methods below to remove sap completely.
• Try rubbing the offending area with WD-40. Spray some on the sap, let it sit for a while and wipe off with a cloth diaper, which will help to eliminate lint. Repeat if necessary.
• Apply nail polish remover with a cotton ball or swab and rub gently until the sap is removed.
• Buff lard onto the area with sap and wipe with a lint free cloth, such as a cloth diaper or terrycloth towel.
• Avon's Skin So Soft bath oil is also said to be an effective sap removal agent. Rub it onto the sticky area and wipe clean with a cloth.
• Try dabbing the area with a cotton ball moistened with rubbing alcohol.
• Remove sap from your automobile by applying bacon grease and wiping clean.
• Make a paste of baking soda and water and use to clean your car. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.
• Mineral spirits mixed with denatured alcohol will remove sap without ruining your auto's paint job.
• It may sound funny, but polishing your car with mayonnaise will also remove sap.

If any of the above recommendations have you worried about ruining your car's finish, test on a hidden area first. If you're comfortable with what you see, proceed.

Your auto care professional may also have a recommendation to remove tree sap from your car. When using chemicals, be sure to read all product labels carefully and follow the instructions accordingly. The last thing you want to do is ruin your paint job. If using chemicals, be sure to wear gloves and adhere to all safety precautions.

Of course, there's another way to keep your auto sap-free. Try taking care to park it away from trees.