Bug Removal

[moose66]

Who has the best method for removing insects from the front bumper, hood, and windshield? I did some late night travel this past weekend and the bugs hitting the car sounded like rain! There are tons of them and I need to figure out the best way to remove them. I don't think a simple wash will work.

 

[Dimitry]

Meguiars has some great products, I have similar issues, do a quick run of the front every few days with some car Mist & Wipe, be sure to use some nice microfiber cloth

 

[silverado]

i like mother's bug and tar remover wipes. http://www.microfiber-products-online.com/06700mp.html

 

[tarpumn]

Now we know bugs here in central Fl. LOVE BUGS!! They can eat into your paint if left on. That said.
I was told and have used dryer sheets! Yes dryer sheets, make on wet and the bugs will wipe right off! After using it, coat the surface with some wip and shine and with little effort you are good to go.

 

[ImInPA]

First of all, before resorting to chemicals, really soak the vehicle for at least 10-15 minutes with just plain water. Get as many of the little buggers off using just plain water. You will be surprised how much will come off just letting them get good and soaked. Then after that, then use one of the commercially available products to remove the rest. Where I am, we have May Flies. I probably kill millions of them every year with the front of my car. When I know I will be traveling at night, I will spray a light coating of PAM (cooking spray) on the front bumper. This essentially will allow the bugs to simply wipe off. Hope this helps.

 

[moose66]

Awesome info from all. I will try each and every one of these solutions from the Megiuars to Mothers to Pam to Snuggle!!!! Thanks!

 

[Ron Veenker]

I think all of the above a excellent approaches. I have always had good results with car wash and a nylon stocking.

Just my 2¢ worth,

Ron

 

[ctrcbob]

Now we know bugs here in central Fl. LOVE BUGS!! They can eat into your paint if left on. That said.
I was told and have used dryer sheets! Yes dryer sheets, make on wet and the bugs will wipe right off! After using it, coat the surface with some wip and shine and with little effort you are good to go.

The two Love Bug seasons here in Central Florida is May and September. They are so big, they have "Numbers on their wings".
Also, for some reason, those that don't end up on the "Love Bug Screen" over the front of my car, or on the windshield, go and die on my front porch. I have to wash them off my porch every couple days. Why they pick my porch, I just don't know.

 

[2ez24get]

Autozone and other auto stores sell bug wash in a pump spray. Also get a Bug and Tar sponge with mesh. Spray the bugs and soak. Soak the sponge and wipe the bugs away.

 

[TJPark01]

Do this in the shade, not the sun.
Spray front of car with water.
Use foam gun, or 2 bucket, one with car soap one for rinse.
Use wash mitt or bug and tar sponge.
Rinse
Dry car with microfiber drying towels.
To get the last of it use Tarminator or Meguiars (same thing)and wipe off with microfiber towel.

Bug & Tar sponge (This thing is amazing).
Foam Gun
Tarminator
Meguiars Bug & Tar

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[Lux-sport-fan]

As crazy as it sounds I enjoy detailing my car as well as my wife's (family members also have me freshen up their cars too). In the northeast the bugs are unavoidable at certain times of the year.

Bugs should be removed as soon as possible as it can etch the paint. Using a bug and tar remover is a quick way to rid yourself of those nasty little splats. Another way to remove bugs is with a clay bar. Clay can help remove the impurities that find away into your car's finish.

Claying is a simple process

some quick tips and a video on how to clay bar

Good luck

 

[scottdk]

As crazy as it sounds I enjoy detailing my car as well as my wife's (family members also have me freshen up their cars too). In the northeast the bugs are unavoidable at certain times of the year.

Bugs should be removed as soon as possible as it can etch the paint. Using a bug and tar remover is a quick way to rid yourself of those nasty little splats. Another way to remove bugs is with a clay bar. Clay can help remove the impurities that find away into your car's finish.

Claying is a simple process

some quick tips and a video on how to clay bar

Good luck

Good advice I'm a big fan of using the clay bar. My question is is it worth doing it on a newer car such as my Genesis? Maybe I should wait a few years for the impurites to form in/on the paint for this?

What do you think?

 

[TJPark01]

Good advice I'm a big fan of using the clay bar. My question is is it worth doing it on a newer car such as my Genesis? Maybe I should wait a few years for the impurites to form in/on the paint for this?

What do you think?

I clayed the car, after a week of delivery, and you would be surprised at the contamination; there is stuff floating in the air that you can't see that ends up landing on the paint. The way to tell if your car needs to be clayed is... right after washing and drying the car, use your clean dry hand and move it lightly across the paint. It should feel like glass or a mirror. If you feel light dots or pimple like rough spots, that is surface contamination. You can't see it but it's there. If your car spends most of it's time parked outside, I would clay it every season. If it is a garage queen, once every 6 months.

 

[scottdk]

I clayed the car, after a week of delivery, and you would be surprised at the contamination; there is stuff floating in the air that you can't see that ends up landing on the paint. The way to tell if your car needs to be clayed is... right after washing and drying the car, use your clean dry hand and move it lightly across the paint. It should feel like glass or a mirror. If you feel light dots or pimple like rough spots, that is surface contamination. You can't see it but it's there. If your car spends most of it's time parked outside, I would clay it every season. If it is a garage queen, once every 6 months.

Thanks for the info. So this sounds very time consuming since using the clay bar on the car will strip all the wax, and needing to rewax the car after the time consuming clay bar use. *SIGH*

Oh well, I'll still do it

 

[TJPark01]

Thanks for the info. So this sounds very time consuming since using the clay bar on the car will strip all the wax, and needing to rewax the car after the time consuming clay bar use. *SIGH*

Oh well, I'll still do it

Time consuming is an understatement. To do this correctly, I start on friday afternoon and I am finally done by Sunday night. But I also do things that the average person wont do, like tape down all the trim, let the glazes cure overnight, pull the rims off the car and polish the interior hubs and wheel wells. Don't even get me started on the interior...Normal humans can do this in a day, by skipping all this, but yeah, after you clay... everything is off the paint, including any waxes,sealants or polish.

 

[ASHDUMP]

Time consuming is an understatement. To do this correctly, I start on friday afternoon and I am finally done by Sunday night. But I also do things that the average person wont do, like tape down all the trim, let the glazes cure overnight, pull the rims off the car and polish the interior hubs and wheel wells. Don't even get me started on the interior...Normal humans can do this in a day, by skipping all this, but yeah, after you clay... everything is off the paint, including any waxes,sealants or polish.

You're the type of person that I would love to buy a used car from!!!!

 

[TJPark01]

You're the type of person that I would love to buy a used car from!!!!

15 year old beater!!! The Genesis will not see any baseball games, rock concerts or Walmart parking lots. The issue is no matter how expensive a car was when you bot it...at the end of 10 years they will all be worth the same, about 5-8 grand. I have done all the work on this car with my own hands, so selling it would be a total waste. I'm gonna drive it till it explodes. Plus I have an eye out on a really self indulgent car next. BMW Z4 or Porsche Boxster Spyder.

 

[2012Rspec]

The most effective bug remover I have ever tried (and I have tried many) is Bugs B Gone. It is cheap, water soluble and widely available. Spray it on, let it soak for a few minutes, and if the bug coating is really thick then scrub with a bug sponge or a soft cloth and rinse.

Amazon has it. [ame="http://www.amazon.com/BUGS-GONE-16-OZ-TRIGGER/dp/B00062W5TG"]Amazon.com: BUGS B GONE 16 OZ. TRIGGER: Automotive[/ame]

 

[fazerG8R]

Plexus, get it a motorcycle dealer. Great stuff.

http://www.plexusplasticcleaner.com/plexus.html

 

[DubaiRich]

I've always used Simple Green with no problems. The bugs pretty much melt away, then I wash normally.