Car was sitting 2 years under a tree. The hood had an extreme sap issue. Not sure what kind of tree. Went to a couple detail shops they either sent me away or said use 3000 grit paper to get the spots out. Well I tried every kind of wax, polish, compund, etc then finally got some 3k grit and tried it. Still nothing!! I was really embarrassed about these spots all over the hood so went and got some quotes for painting it. The average was $1200!! I've painted cars before and done body work but i'm definately no pro and its hard to be good at bodywork/paint but I thought I really don't want to spend in excess ok $1k for a hood. I started asking around at the most recommended paint shop about how much it would cost to do this. I was confident but the only problem was the stripes which I've never done and a body shop told me they don't even do them they send the hood out for that. Anyways I will show before, during and after pics. I used a 2 stage base coat/clear. The hardest or at least most tedious part was the prep and masking. I measured the stripes exactly on the passengers side then got so annoyed half way through the drivers side tbh I eyed it but I think it came out fine. So for under $300 worth of supplies and the feeling of doing something yourself here are the pics. Oh and before when I literally 1st got the car I wanted to address some rock chips in the front bumper. Well knowing me I went to the extreme and sanded down the whole bumper so I had a to paint that 1st actually which gave me some motivation. I think the paint also matched pretty well too. As you can see even after sanding with I think as low as 400 grit the spots still showed. Jeez.... Anyways I eventually got them out. Let me know what you think and if you need any pointers or what grit I used at what point or brands I used. Thanks. I will upload the photos in order.

 

Sorry I thought I had documented this project more extensively but that gives you an idea basically I guess. Let me know if you have any questions. The hardest part was the stripes.

 

Looks pretty good that tree sap can give you fits for sure.
It would be good if they made something that would break down the tree sap and not the clear coat. Like Goo Gone for tree sap?

 

Yeah thats the thing it was in the clear coat...... Tried Goo Gone too haha.