Love Bug Problems!
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Myakka City Florida
Love Bug Problems!
I need some help with getting a few lovebug spots off my car. The lovebugs themselves are gone; however, they have permanently etched themselves into my clear coat. I've dabbed the etch marks with black wax and a black "chipstick" thinking it would cover them up. This returned very minor improvements. Is there anything I can use that will smooth out the etch marks so they are not so noticeable. I have a buffer machine that I can use also. Any input is appreciated.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16,270
Likes: 30
From: "It's 106 miles to Chicago, we've got a full tank of gas, half a pack of cigarettes, it's dark, and
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-‘18-'19
NCM Sinkhole Donor
I need some help with getting a few lovebug spots off my car. The lovebugs themselves are gone; however, they have permanently etched themselves into my clear coat. I've dabbed the etch marks with black wax and a black "chipstick" thinking it would cover them up. This returned very minor improvements. Is there anything I can use that will smooth out the etch marks so they are not so noticeable. I have a buffer machine that I can use also. Any input is appreciated.
You might have to take your car to a body shop professional and have the nose wet sanded and professionally buffed out to remove it.
In the future - if you live in an area with a lot of those creatures, you might consider a "nose mask" or a bra. Good luck
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 5
From: Middle Tennessee
When I saw "lovebugs" in your thread's title, I knew you lived in Florida! Those things have glue for guts. 
You need to scrub them off as soon as possible after they commit suicide on your Vette.
You need to scrub them off as soon as possible after they commit suicide on your Vette.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Myakka City Florida
First of all - black wax doesn't work on a clear coated surface. Have you tried clay bar and light swirl remover with your buffer? When you say buffer I am assuming that it is a random orbital/dual action as opposed to a rotary. If it is a rotary - unless you have experience with it, I wouldn't use it.
You might have to take your car to a body shop professional and have the nose wet sanded and professionally buffed out to remove it.
In the future - if you live in an area with a lot of those creatures, you might consider a "nose mask" or a bra. Good luck
You might have to take your car to a body shop professional and have the nose wet sanded and professionally buffed out to remove it.
In the future - if you live in an area with a lot of those creatures, you might consider a "nose mask" or a bra. Good luck
Thanks for everyone's input.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Sarasota Florida
I wash them off everyday. It's a real pain but from what I've experienced it's the only way to keep them from damaging paint.
By the way we're neighbors, I'm in Old Myakka. Really small world!
By the way we're neighbors, I'm in Old Myakka. Really small world!
Pro
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 557
Likes: 1
From: 15 miles south from the Raisin Capitol of the World Caifornia
"3M Finess-it" with buffer, and wax after. I use it to buff scratches out of mine. I have used it on clear coat and single stage paint, just be carefull not to burn it. I use the sponge waffle pad to keep heat down.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 612
Likes: 0
From: Myakka City Florida
dw99vette - I'll definitely look for the 3M Finess-it, thanks for the advice.
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 11,664
Likes: 15
From: Wellsboro Pa
When I was down to Florida on vacation in May the love bugs were terrible. I waited a few days to try to get them off of the paint. Mistake, I now have 3 spots where the clear coat is gone. WTH do you guys feed them things??
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 1
From: Atlanta GA
Cruise-In 11 Veteran
Paint it!
I feel your pain. Bought a black '99 from a guy in Tampa who didn't tell me about the bugs...
...we' had never heard of them......so, we got covered up in the drive back to ATL......peeled outta the car at midnight and hit the sack......next morning we washed, and washed, and washed, and got sicker and sicker.......those !@#$%^* were now part of the car......all the way past the clear coat. Nothing would get them out. Just made us sick.
So sorry for you.
Carol
I feel your pain. Bought a black '99 from a guy in Tampa who didn't tell me about the bugs...
...we' had never heard of them......so, we got covered up in the drive back to ATL......peeled outta the car at midnight and hit the sack......next morning we washed, and washed, and washed, and got sicker and sicker.......those !@#$%^* were now part of the car......all the way past the clear coat. Nothing would get them out. Just made us sick. So sorry for you.
Carol
3rd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Lovebugs
I'm not sure about what to do on the paint but I can tell you to not use dryer sheets to get lovebugs off. A lot of people say to use them but a friend of mine that's in paint and body told me that they are made of a plastic fiber, not cotton, so if you rub long enough or hard enough, it will rub through the clear coat.
I usually just get the LoveBug Wipes at the convenience store and make sure that I wipe off the lovebugs almost everytime I drive during May and September.
I usually just get the LoveBug Wipes at the convenience store and make sure that I wipe off the lovebugs almost everytime I drive during May and September.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,421
Likes: 8
From: Lake Mary Florida
I know what your talking about, went through that earlier this year with the love bugs on this '01. They leave little marks that you can see from angles. Nothing seemed to work, soap, soaking, detailer, claybar... I ended up having to use Zanio PC and my PC/DA buffer and go over the entire hood and fender that had the marks.
As mentioned above, 3M Finesse It but I think that would be if 3M Swirl Mark and Scratch Remover and a buffer didn't work bucause Finesse It is a lot more agressive product. Finesse It will do the job but if something a little agressive will work I'd prefer that option. 3M SMR can be picked up in most auto parts (3M 39009) but Finesse It you'll probably need to order online or find a local auto paint distributor (like FinishMasters) and it only comes in a fairly large bottle.
My preference though is the Zaino PC, it is extremely effective and produces a show car finish as well. Be sure to apply your preferred polish afterwards.
As mentioned above, 3M Finesse It but I think that would be if 3M Swirl Mark and Scratch Remover and a buffer didn't work bucause Finesse It is a lot more agressive product. Finesse It will do the job but if something a little agressive will work I'd prefer that option. 3M SMR can be picked up in most auto parts (3M 39009) but Finesse It you'll probably need to order online or find a local auto paint distributor (like FinishMasters) and it only comes in a fairly large bottle.
My preference though is the Zaino PC, it is extremely effective and produces a show car finish as well. Be sure to apply your preferred polish afterwards.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 490
Likes: 5
From: Tampa Bay Area, U.S.A. (Zombie Nation)
welcome to the club
My understanding is that if you can catch your fingernail in any part of a scratch or etching then it is permanent, as far as any hope of rubbing it out is concerned. My car has a few lovebug etchings too but I didn't let it happen so I don't let it worry me too much.
Guest
Posts: n/a
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Tallahassee Florida
Man I hate lovebugs. My solution is I don't drive my car in May or September! That seems to be the peak here in north Florida. Otherwise, you wash the nose every single day without fail.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
They have to be washed off immediately. The acid in their bodies will eat thru the clear coat if you leave them on. When I lived in Fla.(Clermont for 4 years) I found a product at a local car store that had a name like Love Bug Off or something similar. It worked well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 5,865
Likes: 6
From: Saraland Alabama
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
I live in the Mobile, Alabama area and we have Love Bugs terribly in May and September. This year they are not as bad as usual because of the drought. They breed in rotting vegetation like grass clippings and leaves.
I have a GM bra for my Vette so I just put a good coat of wax on the nose and don't buff it and then install the Bra. The Bra protects the nose from the bugs and the wax protects the nose from the bra. Be sure to use a wax that has Carnuba(sp) in it as it will wipe right off even months later. Be sure to keep them off your side mirrors, too.
I have a GM bra for my Vette so I just put a good coat of wax on the nose and don't buff it and then install the Bra. The Bra protects the nose from the bugs and the wax protects the nose from the bra. Be sure to use a wax that has Carnuba(sp) in it as it will wipe right off even months later. Be sure to keep them off your side mirrors, too.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge la
After being in the "touch up " buisness for 20 years I can tell you that there is nothing short of painting your front bumper that will make those little splatterd carcuses go away once the damage is done........"lovebugs"....kinda a contradiction in terms,have a large percentage of acidity to their systems thus the damage.The best thing to do when you see that you have a mass suicide of them on your bumper, hood ,or mirrors is hydrate them with mild degreaser, water or suds,let it set!...This lets the now deceased bug rehydrate and thus can be washed off.Any left overs can be clayed then rewaxIt usually takes several days in the sun for bugs to do perm damage so get them off ASAP!