SIGforum
Bug removal from vehicle
May 24, 2020, 10:53 PM
LincolnSixEchoBug removal from vehicle
What’s the best product/method you have seen for removing bugs from the front of a vehicle? Both the paint and the windshield as well. I’ve heard dryer sheets are good, but someone said they are bad for your car’s finish.
May 24, 2020, 11:09 PM
Appliance BradI keep a spray bottle of Simple Green in my ambulance for removed bug splatters when we wash it at the end of our shift. Works pretty well
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Writing the next chapter that I've been looking forward to.
May 24, 2020, 11:29 PM
EdmondIf regular washing won't remove the bugs, I've used a claybar.
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May 24, 2020, 11:30 PM
bigdealFirst, bugs need to come off asap. The
"I'll get it tomorrow" approach will bring sadness and pain every time. There's been many a night I've spent washing the nose and windshield of my truck as soon as I got home to insure they came off as easy as possible. Second, the focus when dealing with dried on bugs and paint is always to rub on it as little and as lightly as possible to reduce the chance of marring the finish. My suggestion is always the same.
1 - Find some shade in the late afternoon or dusk hours, and soak the area to clean over and over again for maybe thirty minutes never letting the surface dry.
2 - Then mix up a bucket of car wash soap and at the end of thirty minutes of soaking, apply a heavy coverage of car wash soap and let it sit for another 15-20 minutes soaking again and again with car wash soap as needed to insure it stays soaked.
3 - Then take a good micro-fiber wash mitt and wash the area as many times as necessary to remove all the bugs. Do a light pass over the area and then assess where you're at.
Most importantly is after the area is completely clean, apply a coat of a good sealant over the nose and front fenders to make removing the next coat of bugs less difficult.
There are no real restrictions on cleaning windshields given the glass is usually very hard and difficult to scratch. That's not to say that using steel wool on it won't scratch it, so apply a bit of common sense.
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Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
May 24, 2020, 11:40 PM
airbubbawd-40
May 24, 2020, 11:40 PM
PykerSpray it with 409 cleaner, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then wash it off with soap and water.
May 25, 2020, 12:15 AM
bigdealquote:
Originally posted by airbubba:
wd-40
quote:
Originally posted by Pyker:
Spray it with 409 cleaner, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then wash it off with soap and water.
If you do, make sure to wash it off and then re-seal the paint. Both of those products will strip off any/all wax (and likely sealant) and leave the paint/clearcoat completely unprotected.
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Guns are awesome because they shoot solid lead freedom. Every man should have several guns. And several dogs, because a man with a cat is a woman. Kurt Schlichter
May 25, 2020, 12:33 AM
Skins2881I just use regular old tar and bug remover.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis May 25, 2020, 05:51 AM
rbert0005Harley puts out some stuff that works amazingly good.
Bob
I am no expert, but think I am sometimes.
May 25, 2020, 06:32 AM
mrvmaxI use Morhers and Meguiars bug and tar remover. It helps to have wax or ceramic coating between the paint and bugs.
May 25, 2020, 06:39 AM
trapper189I have yet to try it on a automobile, but the trick with faceshields on motorcycle helmets, motorcycle windscreens, and fairings was wet, hot dish towels. Rinse any grit off first, then drape a wet, hot towel over the faceshields and let it sit for a few minutes. The bugs wipe right off.
May 25, 2020, 07:03 AM
h2oysquote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
First, bugs need to come off asap. The "I'll get it tomorrow" approach will bring sadness and pain every time. There's been many a night I've spent washing the nose and windshield of my truck as soon as I got home to insure they came off as easy as possible. Second, the focus when dealing with dried on bugs and paint is always to rub on it as little and as lightly as possible to reduce the chance of marring the finish. My suggestion is always the same.
1 - Find some shade in the late afternoon or dusk hours, and soak the area to clean over and over again for maybe thirty minutes never letting the surface dry.
2 - Then mix up a bucket of car wash soap and at the end of thirty minutes of soaking, apply a heavy coverage of car wash soap and let it sit for another 15-20 minutes soaking again and again with car wash soap as needed to insure it stays soaked.
3 - Then take a good micro-fiber wash mitt and wash the area as many times as necessary to remove all the bugs. Do a light pass over the area and then assess where you're at.
Most importantly is after the area is completely clean, apply a coat of a good sealant over the nose and front fenders to make removing the next coat of bugs less difficult.
There are no real restrictions on cleaning windshields given the glass is usually very hard and difficult to scratch. That's not to say that using steel wool on it won't scratch it, so apply a bit of common sense.
^^^^
Great advice.
May 25, 2020, 08:22 AM
valkyrie1wet some dryer sheets and just rub off,use it on my motorcycle and truck,works great.
May 25, 2020, 08:37 AM
RIC.45^^ THIS ^^ Crazy how well it works.
Rick
Texting.......easier than calling. May 25, 2020, 08:46 AM
cparktdNo one else just uses spit?
Endeavor to persevere. May 25, 2020, 08:49 AM
henryazquote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
1 - Find some shade in the late afternoon or dusk hours, and soak the area to clean over and over again for maybe thirty minutes never letting the surface dry.
This is the main key. Get them good and wet, and they come off much easier.
When in doubt, mumble May 25, 2020, 09:02 AM
Pykerquote:
Originally posted by bigdeal:
quote:
Originally posted by Pyker:
Spray it with 409 cleaner, let it sit for a couple of minutes, then wash it off with soap and water.
If you do, make sure to wash it off and then re-seal the paint. Both of those products will strip off any/all wax (and likely sealant) and leave the paint/clearcoat completely unprotected.
Used it on every squad car and truck I've had. Never had any problem with the paint - ever. This, in the frozen north, where the paint takes a real beating year round. I do use a good car shampoo after though. Maybe that's the key.
May 25, 2020, 09:08 AM
mojojojoquote:
Originally posted by valkyrie1:
wet some dryer sheets and just rub off,use it on my motorcycle and truck,works great.
Yep. Works like a magic eraser for bugs. Used then for years and never an issue with the paint or finish on the vehicle. I clean off the bugs using a used dryer sheet, the wash vehicle right after. Easy, cheap, and it works
Icarus flew too close to the sun, but at least he flew. May 25, 2020, 09:44 AM
nosticksGotta agree with mojojojo. I just came back in the house after cleaning those miserable love bugs off the front surfaces of my Wrangler. I tried pressure washing first. It got the big chunks off but still left the crust on the paint. Then I grabbed a couple of dryer sheets and the rest of the crap came right off.
I also use a razor scraper on the windshield. Works great too.
Awake not woke
May 25, 2020, 09:47 AM
Sig209agree with getting them off much sooner than later
if they 'bake on' in the hot summer sun whatever you try will be harder IME
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