Removing Bugs From Drive
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 3
From: Arlington VA
Removing Bugs From Drive
What do you guys do to remove the bugs from the front/hood area after a drive?
Do you let them sit until the car cools, knowing they may scratch when removed then?
Or do you remove them right away while they are soft, even though the paint is more vulnerable when hot?
What do you use? A detail spray, warm water and sponge, or warm soapy water?
Do you let them sit until the car cools, knowing they may scratch when removed then?
Or do you remove them right away while they are soft, even though the paint is more vulnerable when hot?
What do you use? A detail spray, warm water and sponge, or warm soapy water?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 4
From: Ponte Vedra Beach / London State: Dazed and confused
Heat (vehicle paint temperature of 90.oF+ creates a very aggressive reactivity of the acids that are present, which causes surface etching, so they should be removed without delay, at lower temperatures (40oF or less) there’ s no reactivity and therefore little or no etching.
To remove - pre-soak heavy bug contamination with an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) soaked towel(s) and let dwell for 4-5 minutes before removing. Then use a Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad and some warm, soapy water. It’s completely harmless to the paint or glass surfaces, a very efficient and safe way of removing harmful baked on bug debris due to its non-abrasive nature. The open-cell construction 'grabs' foreign matter on your cars paint surface and safely removes it.
To remove - pre-soak heavy bug contamination with an isopropyl alcohol (IPA) soaked towel(s) and let dwell for 4-5 minutes before removing. Then use a Safe Scrub Bug & Tar Pad and some warm, soapy water. It’s completely harmless to the paint or glass surfaces, a very efficient and safe way of removing harmful baked on bug debris due to its non-abrasive nature. The open-cell construction 'grabs' foreign matter on your cars paint surface and safely removes it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 795
Likes: 0
From: Albany NY
I spray the Chemical Guys Bug Bugger & Tar Remover on the build ups and then I may just wash the front of the vehicle with the Optimum (OPT) No Rinse Wash & Shine New Formula (ONR). The Bug Bugger does an awesome job of quickly breaking down any build ups.
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I take a large cotton towel, soak it thoroughly with clean water and lay it over the nose of the car for a few minutes and let it soak the bugs. Slide the towel off taking alot of the bugs with it. I then use Zaino Z6 spray detailer with a microfiber.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale NY
St. Jude Donor '06
I have a 3M Clear Bra on my front bumper cover. It's an investment, but I find it's a lot more forgiving than the clear coat when it comes to removing bugs after a long drive.
I usually have a bottle of Chemical Guys QD in the car that I soak the area with, and the bugs just wipe off with no etching etc..
I usually have a bottle of Chemical Guys QD in the car that I soak the area with, and the bugs just wipe off with no etching etc..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 95
From: Blue Springs MO
I too use this method with great success. I leave the towel on the bugs for at least 10 minutes, preferably 15 minutes. Turn the towel over and GENTLY wipe away the bugs. Use your favorite detail spray to get any further bug juice off.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 95
From: Blue Springs MO
You will be surprised at how easy the bugs come off after soaking for 10 to 15 minutes. I drove my new ZR1 from Bowling Green to Effingham, IL in late September. The front was covered with hundreds of bugs. I was sick. I got a towel out and used the method described and the finish was perfect!
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