TTU

Help! I just got back from a long road trip in my vette, and of course I have tons of bugs on the bumper/grill.

What is the best method/techniqe/chemical to remove this nasty stuff without harming the clear coat!

thanks all,

gg

loubob57

A moistened dryer sheet does a decent job for the bugs. I'm not sure if it works on tar.

napacruzerc5

Do a claybar on the whole car. Then apply Zaino. You'll find bugs will usually just wash off with a light spray of water after Zaino. Tar will usually just wipe off.

TTU

thanks for the helpful info so far!!!
Keep it coming!

z06Bigbird

Acetelyne torch will get bugs off, but I suspect it will kill some of the clearcoat and ALL of the bumper.

sjreeh

I did the claybar & 8 coats of Zaino. Looked great till I took a 1500 mi road trip. I had bugs embedded in the Zaino. The only way I could remove them was to use liquid Dawn to strip the Zaino. I know a lot of people on here swear by it but I was disappointed with the end results myself.

Wayne O

Bugs can 'etch' into the finish if they're not removed promptly. I'd use (very sparingly) some commercial bug & tar remover followed with some spot cleaning and waxing/polishing. I've heard of people using Bounce sheets (for a clothes dryer) and some apply a hot, moist towel first to loosen things up. As mentioned, make sure the finish is well-waxed, or Zaino'd...protects the finish and makes it easier to remove bugs and tar.

GAStateRep

I've found that using a little WD40 does the trick for both. Then wash and wax.

dmawd

Don't know about tar and such but for bugs I wet a towel with hot water wring it almost dry and let sit over infected area for about 10 min. Then just wipe the critters off and a polish with adams detail spray and good to go.

crabby

GM part # 1050172 Road Oil and Tar remover is a very good product and works well. Beware! Tar and road oils will often have fine sand embedded in it. Therefore, you must not use any hard rubbing action to avoid surface scratches. Using small pieces of a soft towel soaked in the remover, lightly apply the petroleum based product to the surface. It is clearcoat safe. Let it soak, and then lightly apply again, turning your towel to a fresh surface to avoid the light sand. Repeat the process as the tar melts away. Only after the tar is gone do you want to consider any clay bar, wax, etc. A standard car wash soap easily removes the petroleum residue. The GM remover should be available at any GM parts counter. I have used it for years and have had nothing but good results.

El Puto

After cleaning get a clear bra installed or get that "stretchy bra" so you don't have the hassle in the future.

User 020720

I apply Rejex to my front bumper and the bugs usually come right off with some detail spray.

Raider....Power! It's a Texas Tech thing, most probably wouldn't understand.

rdm1465

I have also used WD-40, it works . Also I have and still use Honda cleaner polish spray. it was designed for motorcycles? Anyways, it's great on plastic and fiberglas. Spray on wipe off. For bugs, i let it sit for a minute first.
But all the other suggestions work also.

FlyArmy

DON'T use a scouring pad. Apparently there are people stupid enough to do that (my dad's wife, as demonstrated on his new Lexus). She's a lawyer too. Who the hell does that? She's blonde, but wtf? I laughed really hard when she told me.

Carnac

I spray a light coat of Gunk Bug & Tar remover (I've also used Turtle Wax's Bug & Tar). I let it sit for a couple of minutes while I'm wetting the rest of the car for a wash. Then just soap and water to rinse. I use Zaino, but some bugs and tar marks take a little extra. Cheers - Jim

jojog

A cotten cloth and cheap liquid wax works great. Just wet the bumper down like you were going to wash it as usual but liberally apply the wax to a wet rag and wash with that. It will renew the wax and remove bugs and tar. Same goes for the rocker panels - quick and easy. Rinse the cloth frequently to avoid scratches. Hope that helps!

steve8

Zaino, which I use and like, or anything for that matter will help, but I have never seen bugs just rinse right off with a light spray of water from a road trip. Lots of good advice above, just don't let the bugs sit for too long.
Re-apply Z after most of the bug removal techniques.

ZaneO

I read you loud and clear

jon c

the best thing to do is to not let them set on there for a 1500 mile trip, I clean off the front of my bumper every time I stop only takes a minute, I also use zaino......

corvetteload

Use an old pair of underwear as a rag and gasoline. Clean entire car and wash and wax when done.................B