Dryer Sheets And Water
You can call bullshit all day long on this one, but even Napa Auto Parts admits that dryer sheets work well on moderately hardened bug splatter. The key to this method is to spritz the vehicle down with a spray bottle thats been filled with warm water, and making sure that your dryer sheet also remains wet the entire time.
If theres a particularly stubborn spot, liberally spray the bug splatter with water, as this will allow it ample time to soften. Once agitated with the H20 saturated dryer sheet, rinse the surface area with fresh water, and then hit it with a microfiber washcloth or mitt thats been loaded with water and pH balanced automotive shampoo.
Quick Tip: If using the dryer sheet bug removal method, be sure to thoroughly shampoo and rinse the area of the vehicle where it was applied. There are chemicals within these laundry products that you dont want curing on your cars clear coat.
Easy Cleaning With Bugger Off
We made an entirely new product in 2015, that was filled with the latest chemistry to be 100% targeted towards cleaning kamikaze bugs from your car. With the advent of so many modern cars having mostly plastic frontal areas and polycarbonate headlights, the old solvents everyone were using, were no longer suitable, as they could sometimes etch into these more fragile surfaces. So we created this one that was fully compatible and safe for all cars, old and new. We call it Bugger Off.
- It cleans bug splatter off fast, a must for every road trip.
- Powerful citrus formula, with unique enzymes that quickly penetrate to break down & dissolve bug splatter.
- Super effective, for easy use on your car, truck, caravan and bike.
- pH neutral, wont remove good quality/durable waxes, sealants or paint protection.
- Safe on all paints, plastics, rubber, fibreglass, headlights, fairings, number plates, grills, & bullbars.
- Leaves a clean, non greasy finish, just rinse it off for a residue free finish.
- Environmentally safe and biodegradable formula.
We also made a non scratching microfibre cloth to work with it as well, that we call the DeBugger. It has a unique diamond weave that dramatically increases the ease and speed of removing any bugs from your car when used with the Bugger Off.
It’s Not A Big Bugger Of A Job
An important thing to remember is that bug strike marks need to be cleaned off as soon as possible. As the bugs slowly decompose, they have some nasty acids in them, which means if they are left on the paint surface too long, they can badly damage and etch into your paints’ surface. It can become a very big bloody job to then remove those marks and is usually best done by a professional with a machine polishing system. So clean them off before it gets to this!
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When The Risk Is Highest
If you live in warmer climates, you might notice this occurring all year round. But if you do have colder temperatures during winter, then you will not have to worry all the time. Still wherever you live, you will have experienced crashing into a bug at least once in your life. This is why knowing how to clean bugs off car is useful.
There is also no specific bug season, although summer and spring are when they are up and about. You will notice more of them during sunset because they are more active during the night. They get attracted by your headlights, especially if you are driving along the highway.
Why You Have To Clean Bug Splats Within 24 Hours
You will want to remove dead bugs, not only are bug guts an eye sore they are also very harmful to your vehicle and car windows. If you remember your highschool chemistry class, you probably learned that every aqueous in other words liquid solution has a PH level. The PH level is a number system that tells us if a solution is acidic, neutral, or alkaline. The lower the number the more acidic, the higher the number the more alkaline. For example lemon juice has a PH level of 2 while your average degreaser is around 12, if you combine those two numbers youll find their median average of 7 which is considered neutral on the PH scale. Most bug guts are very low on the pH scale, so they would be considered very acidic. Even the bugs guts that are alkaline or pH natural can become acidic when left in the sun for too long. Acid as we all know is very harmful and can cause major damage to your vehicles surfaces, in the case of bug guts we would refer to this damage as bug etchings.
When it comes to a cleaning solution for bugs, within the first 24 hours the acid from the bug spater can be at its strongest, rapidly eating away at your clear coat. If your car is left out in the sun the heat can speed up the etching process cousin permanent damage in a few hours. This damage can be very difficult, in the most extreme situations requiring sanding and advanced paint job correction performed by professional detailers.
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Four Carefully Clean The Affected Areas
It is essential to take care and clean as gently as possible. You do not want to cause damage while cleaning the bugs and stains off your car or your cars windshield. You must follow these instructions and do a thorough job. Again, with the bug and tar remover, follow the instructions on the bottle.
How To Clean Bugs Off Your Car Using Wd40
Some drivers have it worse than others when it comes to bug infestation. So, if you live in a region densely populated with bugs, it is best to learn how to properly clean the bugs off your car. Beetles and lovebugs are two of the most common bugs that target cars.
Live bugs are much easier to get off your car, as they are still alive and not decomposing yet. On the other hand, dead bugs decompose and then dry up, thereby sticking to your car surface.
Leaving dead bugs on your car surface is just as harmful to the paint as cleaning it in the wrong way. This is why you must take care of the bug stains in the proper way. Below is a step-by-step process of cleaning bug stains off your car using Wd40.
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How To Remove Tar And Bug Guts
When a bug decides to prematurely terminate its life via impaling itself onto your front end or windshield, it creates a messy splatter. If you continue driving down the highway, itll take a few minutes to dry. Tar can likewise dry on your car within an hour. At this point, the bond is solidly connected to an unprotected surface.
If these sticky items annoy you, and youre looking to reduce the potential of damage, there are some proven and not-so-effective methods to consider.
A Clay Mitt or Clay Bar
When tar and bug splatters are dried, its very tricky to remove. To do so, youll have to find a way to slowly break away that bond and the substance to reduce the potential of scratching. A great and safe way to accomplish this is to use a clay mitt or clay bar.
The small clay particles on a clay mitt or a clay bar grasp onto the surface and do a great job of removing those hard to move and microscopic imperfections found in those hard to remove areas. Youll use a lubricant spray in conjunction with the clay, which allows you to easily glide over the surface. It removes microscopic imperfections such as industrial fallout or brake dust at the same time.
Glass Cleaner and Degreasers
Bug & Tar Removal Sponge
WD-40
There is an old saying if its stuck, use WD-40. If its broken, use duct tape. WD-40 is a miracle product, that can be used to remove bug splatters, bird droppings, tree sap, and even road tar.
Paint Protection Film or Clear Bra
Ceramic Coating
Wrapping it Up
The Best Ways To Remove Bugs From A Car Or Truck
A quick run through the drive-through car wash will rinse off some of the bugs, and hand-held pressure sprayers can help. But to get rid of all of them, according to Brosz, the best way to go is a bucket of water and a microfiber clothterry cloth can be too abrasive on darker cars, he says.
For the peskiest of dried-on pests, give this DIY prewash treatment a try: Spritz from a spray bottle of water mixed with few drops of dish detergent. There are a number of specialty bug-removal solutions available, too. Theres not a product that I can put on and the bugs just magically come off, says Brosz. Theres always a degree of labor and attentiveness, and easy does it.
Another important way to protect your car: the right auto insurance. Visit geico.com for a free quote. Already a policyholder? You could save with a multi-vehicle discount when you add a second car to your policy.
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Use Turbo Waterless Detailer
Now here is something that I recommend every car owner to have tucked away in their glove box, a bottle of Torque Turbo Waterless Detailer. Torque Turbo Waterless Detailer is a high polymer based waterless wash that safely encapsulates things like dirt, dust and bug guts. Just spray the bug guts with the waterless detailer, let it sit for a few moments, then wipe down with a fresh microfiber towel. You might have to repeat these steps once or twice, but this product will safely remove the dirt and grime while adding gloss and shine.
All Purpose Cleaner And Bug Sponge
Sometimes even a high quality wash cant take care of harsh bug guts, so an all purpose cleaner alongside a bug sponge can work well. Now this is for more extreme situations because most all purpose cleaners are strong and can damage areas of your vehicle if left on too long. Spray some water on the area you’re working on then spray a good amount of APC on your bug sponge. After your sponge is soaked with APC lightly scrub the affected area until the bug guts are removed. Remember rubbing anything on the surface of your paint with too much pressure can scratch, so make sure to take your time and be gentle with the bug sponge. After the bug guts are removed make sure to rinse off the remaining all purpose cleaner with a garden hose or a pressure washer.
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Why Bug Splats Are Bad For Your Car
Many people do not really think about the dangers of these insect remains on their cars, but the truth is, you should be concerned. They normally hit the bumper, the backs of your cars mirrors, the grills, or the windshield. If they dont get cleaned off immediately, they can cause problems.
The bug splatter is actually acidic, which may leave pockmarks on your vehicles pain. If it doesnt, the bacteria may start to grow on the remains and this will also eat away at the car. Worse, when this happens during the hot summer days, it can cause permanent damage. A dark automobile is even more susceptible to long-term issues. The heat causes blistering and the pockmarks end up looking like white spots.
Some bugs may end up getting etched or dug into the cars paint, especially since some insects have hard exoskeletons that are sharp. This is one reason why you should immediately clean your car as soon as possible.
How To Remove Bugs From Car
Is your windshield, hood, bumper or wheel rims covered with dried-on bugs? Removing bugs from your car can be difficult because of the shellac that some bugs leave behind. No worries, here are a few simple ways to remove bug guts from your vehicle:
If youre into more expensive car products, take a look at Turtle Wax Bug & Tar remover.
An internet search on how to remove tar and bugs from your car will provide many additional suggestions, tips and ideas. The options listed above are among the most popular ways to remove tough bug and tar stains. For more ideas, see How to Clean Tar and Bugs Off Your Windshield.
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Wipe Off The Bugs Splats Scrub If Necessary
With your bug mitt, microfiber towel, insect sponge, or road-kill sponge, wipe the affected areas in a circular motion. If there are especially tough-to-remove bug splats, scrubbing them would be necessary. But dont scrub too hard, as it may damage the cars paint.
If the bugs have not completely dried on your car, one round of cleaning would likely be enough. But if they have dried on your car, it may be necessary to repeat steps one to three until the cars surface is finally free of bug splats.
How To Remove Tar From Car
Its time to clean the bugs and tar off your car before it gets too cold. The summer season is coming to a close September 23, 2015. While the temperatures are still pleasant, take a moment to clean-up your vehicle and make it look like new! Accurate Autobody car collision repair located in Aurora, Colorado provides helpful tips on how to clean bugs and tar off your car.
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How To Clean Tree Sap Off Of Your Car
Cleaning hardened pine and tree sap off of your car is tricky. Done incorrectly, the dried sap can scratch your cars paint job. Use one of these home remedies to remove the sap without damaging your car.
DIY Recipes to Remove Tree Sap from Your Car
Scraping off hardened tree sap can leave unsightly paint scratches. A DIY tree sap remover can get rid of tree sap without damaging your cars paint job using these supplies:
Mineral Spirits
A tough solvent like mineral spirits dissolves hardened tree sap without a problem.
Youll need:
- Microfiber cloth or cotton rag
- Mineral spirits
Instructions:
- Pour two tablespoons of mineral spirits onto a rag.
- Using the least amount of pressure possible, gently buff the sap spots. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Gently wipe away mineral spirits with a clean, damp rag.
Non-Acetone Nail Polish Remover
Shop your bathroom for this next DIY. Non-acetone nail polish remover is surprisingly good at cleaning sap off of your car. Just be sure to use an acetone-free remover. If it leaves a residue, scrub it away with a baking soda paste. Polish dull patches with car wax.
Youll need:
- Pour some nail polish onto a cotton ball.
- Gently buff the sap spot, which should wipe right off.
Glass Cleaner
Hardened sap spots on your windshield can be difficult to remove. Scratch off and spray residue with a handy household glass cleaner, which is especially good at getting rid of hardened tree sap stains.
Youll need:
Turtle Wax Bug And Tar Remover
For a comprehensive and specialized bug cleaning solution, why not go for the product recommended the most in this scenario? The Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover do precisely what the name says. Its the easiest spray-on and wipe-off technique that does the job. Also, this spray leaves the surface coated with a protective barrier that keeps bug splatters from sticking into your cars surfaces.
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Which Cleaning Products Work
There are few independent tests of products like these. However, stick with products from established brands such as Simoniz, Autoglym and Turtle Wax and youâre unlikely to go far wrong. Motoring magazine Auto Express conducted a test of bug removers this year and rated Angelwax Revenge as favourite. It was followed by Auto Finesse Citrus Power.
Cleaning Bugs: No Need To Be Abrasive
When you wash your car, youâll notice that regular car shampoo doesnât remove bugs. And if it does remove the remains of the bug, it wonât shift the stain they leave behind. The temptation is to get something abrasive and scrub it off. This may well remove the insect marks, but it will also remove the carâs clear coat finish that gives the surface its shine and most certainly a layer of paintwork.
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How To Remove And Prevent Bugs From Sticking To Your Car
Especially in the summer months, bugs are a big problem for keeping cars clean, and are really annoying in the southeastern United States where I live. Some areas experience the effects of bugs more than others and may require more intense removal techniques, like in Florida where the Lovebug is a major problem.
Keeping your car, truck, or SUV as clean is challenging with fresh bug guts all over it but even worse if you let these bugs dry or etch into the paint, and can even cause permanent damage.
So how do you remove them and prevent them from sticking in the first place? While there is no one-size fits all solution and no way to completely avoid hitting bugs, there are some things you can do to help.
In this blog, Ill highlight a few ways to remove stuck-on bugs from your vehicle, as well as a few tricks to help prevent bugs from sticking to your grill or paint.
