Clean sticky stuff off of rain fly?

[benjyt]

Hello, everyone! I've been reading the great threads here for some time as my family prepares for our first Fort Wilderness vacation. We're very excited - will be there during the first full week of December. We're renting a travel trailer from a local dealer, which will be set up on our site. We're also bringing down a new Coleman tent (a Father's Day gift for me this year) - which leads to my request for help!

Last weekend, we set the tent up to check out the seams and enjoy a quiet night spent in our backyard. When we broke the tent down the next afternoon, I noticed the problem - sticky stuff all over the rain fly and part of the tent. I believe this is likely "honeydew," the sticky stuff that passes through bugs that eat/live in the trees in the yard. We've tried to get the stuff off with warm water and soap, but no success. As a camping rookie, I'd like to ask those of you with expertise - please help! Any suggestions on getting this stuff off of the rain fly, or have I ruined it? Thanks!

 

[bama_ed]

benjyt,

I have tent camped quite a bit in my life and never heard of this happening. My only thought would be to try the hottest water you can, let it soak and soften the crud, and see if it comes off with a stiff brush and soap.

Good luck on your upcoming trip - it's a great time of year to visit in terms of weather, decorations, crowd levels, etc.

Bama Ed

 

[benjyt]

Thanks, Bama Ed. It happens all the time here, usually with cars parked beneath pecan trees. I should've known better. We're very excited about the trip!

 

[articfox676]

Goo Gone would be my go to products for this.

 

[manning]

wd 40. google it's uses.

Surprisingly the main ingredient is fish oil.

 

[Born 2 Fish]

wd 40. google it's uses.

Surprisingly the main ingredient is fish oil.

"Sorry Charlie", fish oil isn't one of the ingredients.
If you go to the WD 40 Ingredients, they won't tell ya the ingredients but they do say that Fish Oil isn't one of them.

But OMGosh , who woulda thunkt what awesome reading the WD 40 site is !!

 

[2goofycampers]

It will remove sticky stuff great though.

 

[IwannaLiveatDisney]

I've had good luck with Simple Green, let set and then scrub with a scrub brush..... They sell it in a spray bottle at Wal-Mart.

 

[jeeptruck]

I've had good luck with PB Blaster, goo gone, GOJO products, simple green, and grease lightning