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csaltkill 07-29-2005 02:22 PM

Dead bugs on car
 
Does anyone know of way or can recommend a product that will take the dead bugs of the front my my car without ruing the paint?
I have washed it, but there is some residue still there, regular wax doesn't take it out.

8is>enuff 07-29-2005 02:39 PM

Um, wax is not a cleaner. It's a protectant and shine-enhancer.

A clay bar should do the trick. You can find them at most auto part stores.

KYLiquid 07-29-2005 02:48 PM

there are some 'bug wipes' you can buy, they come in a plastic can like those ready to use Armor-All wipes.....safe for paint...the can is green i think. not sure who makes them...they work pretty good...its a textured cloth treated with a special soap....a little scrubbing and your done.

I also find that the normal carwash soap on a sponge (not deluted, just straght out of the bottle) works pretty good.

if your going on a long road trip...give the nose a good couple coats of wax...that will help remove them.

good luck

BoosTED 08-08-2005 10:08 AM

Bug and Tar remover and paint protection kits
 
Turtle Wax makes a decent Bug and Tar remover. It comes in an aerosol can. Spray it on let it soak for 5-30 seconds and wipe em off.
To keep the bugs off the bumper and hood take a look at the clear mask kits like at www.clearmask.com. An inexpensive solution is to check ebay for the precut vinyl paint protection kits. They are a test on the patience to install, but will definitely pay off in the years it lasts and keeps the paint intact. It can be peeled off without any harm to the paint later. :)

lurch519 08-08-2005 10:15 AM

i find that using microfiber towels and some elbo grease work quite well.

valpac 08-08-2005 11:05 AM


Originally Posted by csaltkill
Does anyone know of way or can recommend a product that will take the dead bugs of the front my my car without ruing the paint?

Another vote for clay.

Along4TheRide 08-08-2005 11:49 AM

I've found that Simple Green Automotive works pretty well. You have to be aware of the fact that it'll remove the wax also. For spot cleaning, I put some on a terry-cloth rag, and dab it on the spot. Wait a couple of minutes for it to soak in, then gently rub. Works pretty good. After a long-distance trip, I usually just spray it on the front directly, and wait a few minutes, then pressure wash it.

Again, because it strips the wax too, you'll have to re-wax the surface.

I like Simple Green because it's bio-degradable, and I don't have to worry about washing into my lawn.

RedSheDevil 08-08-2005 11:57 AM

For regular washings you can make the bug situation easier...start your wash by rinsing the whole car, then apply a wet towel (Mazda recommends wet newspaper) over the front while you wash/rinse the rest. By the time you get to the front, those bugs are much easier to remove cuz they've been getting mushy. Tho, I'm looking forward to trying out the claybar myself (bought it, just havent used it yet) on those tough little critters.

wedge357 08-08-2005 01:04 PM

If you let the bug splatter dry and bake on your car's finish then it will leave a burn mark on the clearcoating and will not go away with any clay, cloth or chemical. The only thing that will get it off is a professional buffing.

In short, do not let the bug carcasses stay on your paint too long. Remove them ASAP. I found that taking a spray and shine bottle (I use Meguiar) and a terry towel with me on long drives works best and I don't have to worry about rinsing it off since it does not harm the finish or remove the wax off your car. Spray the offending bug and your towel, let it sit for half minute, then wipe it off. The spray has special chemical that supposedly coat dirt particles to help avoid scratches when you use it on dirty surfaces. Just make sure you soak the area well and wipe once to remove the major gunk then turn the towel over and go at it again with a clean side.

r042wal 08-08-2005 01:15 PM

I used a spray on bug remover from Turtle Wax that I let sit for 5 minutes. It softens the bugs up first and then they wash off.

KYLiquid 08-08-2005 02:14 PM

before a long trip i always put multiple coats of wax on, then tape a fine screen mesh (window screen, you can buy it by the foot at home depot) when you get back, you can peel the screen off and most of the bugs and dirt comes i it, sure it isnt pretty but it works...just like the screens you put over you radiator inlets on car when you drive through the swamp....only cover the whole bumper. duct-tape it on in the fender wells.

wedge357 08-08-2005 02:56 PM


Originally Posted by KYLiquid
before a long trip i always put multiple coats of wax on, then tape a fine screen mesh (window screen, you can buy it by the foot at home depot) when you get back, you can peel the screen off and most of the bugs and dirt comes i it, sure it isnt pretty but it works...just like the screens you put over you radiator inlets on car when you drive through the swamp....only cover the whole bumper. duct-tape it on in the fender wells.

I don't think this will work out too well...

First, it's the bug juice (yuk) that adheres to the car and will eat the paint if left too long. Using a mesh screen will not only look ugly but pretty much useless since you're still stuck with cleaning afterwards.

second, at highway speed the screen will minutely flap and vibrate against the finish causing scratches or worse. If you're really into covers then invest in either a 3M clearbra or a regular vinyl bra.

I agree with your suggestion to apply several coat of wax to make it easier to clean.

KYLiquid 08-08-2005 08:47 PM

ive never done it on the 8, but it worked on my truck....it can scrach it, but the coats of wax helped against that, i shoul have said that earlyer.

MyRxBad 08-16-2005 10:28 AM

Turtle Wax bug & tar remover or do the hand-towel trick.

Hand-towel trick: Wet the some paper towels and drape them over the nose and let them soak there for about 10-15mins. Don't worry the paper towel will stick and no worry about ink running like newspaper. Basically it's just softening up the bugs and then they wash/wipe right off.

Armaant 09-10-2005 01:37 PM

I used turtle wax bug and tar remover today and washed the car...i didnt get the spray it was the stuff you pour anyway i used it on the front bumper and it doesnt seem as shiny as the rest of the car...does the bug and tar remover take of the wax?

poolsidenaz 09-10-2005 01:42 PM

Bounce dryer sheets. They make a mess, but bounce dryer sheets and some muscle will work.

kellybrf 05-29-2006 09:18 PM

another geat tip i picked up here is to wash the car in the rain. it wont completely get the really gunked on ones, but it worked for me on ones that didnt come off with a normal wash. let it sit in the rain for half an hour or more, then just wash it in the rain while the bugs are soft

yiksing 05-29-2006 09:31 PM

Citrus Clean works best, better than most tar and bug removers but they also strip wax, no harm done to paint.

SJ_Rotary 05-29-2006 10:52 PM

Damp dryer sheets works the best for me. yes they do make a little of a mess but its amazing what they do to bugs and little road tar patches. Does not harm clear coat if you were wondering so yea give it a shot. :beerchug:

Flawless 05-29-2006 11:02 PM

Here's the solution to your problem: http://fiber-works.com/product_info....products_id=50

It's a wash mitt that has a scrubbing microfiber material as well. I have used this to get off bird crap as well as bugs and I just use this and regular car wash soap. The great thing is it's like a waffle type fiber and it doesn't scratch the paint even though its tough enough to remove the bugs.

P5 2 RX-8 06-14-2006 01:02 AM


Originally Posted by Armaant
I used turtle wax bug and tar remover today and washed the car...i didnt get the spray it was the stuff you pour anyway i used it on the front bumper and it doesnt seem as shiny as the rest of the car...does the bug and tar remover take of the wax?

Yes, bug and tar remover takes off the cars wax. Any area that is treated with bug and tar must be re-waxed to bring back the shine.

SayNoToPistons 06-14-2006 09:50 AM


Originally Posted by Flawless
Here's the solution to your problem: http://fiber-works.com/product_info....products_id=50

It's a wash mitt that has a scrubbing microfiber material as well. I have used this to get off bird crap as well as bugs and I just use this and regular car wash soap. The great thing is it's like a waffle type fiber and it doesn't scratch the paint even though its tough enough to remove the bugs.

dont use the MF mitts often. MF collects dirt (dust, sand, w/e, you name it) and LOCKs it into the the MF. you wont be able to see the tiny particles or be able to wash those particles out. at the end.. what you get is a dirty mitt rubbing all over your paint and marring it (micro scratching). only use MF for buffing and drying... go get a sheep skin wools mitt for washing.


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