douggie

Washed my car this morning and found out the front bumper was like a war has happened there -- a battle field for bugs.

Got some really big ones off but still have quite a lot left. The rest of the car looks sparking clean , but the bumper looks like crap.

How do you guys get those things off? I've tried rubbing with my thumb and spraying water hard onto it, but ain't workin.

Any ideas?

hihoslva

I use Orange Clean concentrate for all sorts of stuff like this.

It comes in a little bottle - maybe 8oz. - it's meant to be mixed with water, but for tough stuff like bugs and road tar, just take a small rag and put one or two drops on it, then gently rub the spot, and the Orange Clean cuts through all sorts of crap.

I'm almost positive it will remove your wax, though - so use it sparingly, and wax over the area you cleaned, if you want.

I put some in my car wash soap mix whenever I know I will be waxing after the wash, and I don't have to care about the wax being partially or totally stripped. Stuff works great.

Also, keeping a good coat (or maybe 10 coats ) of wax on the bumper will help the bugs come off easier in the future.

douggie

Thanks. I'll give that a try.

How about those bug and tar removers that are meant for cars? do they work?

hihoslva

Some of those removers work, and some don't. I've had mixed success with them, and usually find that the Orange Clean or even a VERY SMALL amount of WD-40 or even gasoline works better. Actually, gasoline seems to work by far the best, but I'm sure you don't like scrubbing your car with gas, even in a small area. I know I don't.

The OrangeClean is safe stuff, and it works pretty damn well - that's why I like it. Oh, and getting the bugs off before they dry and get crusty helps a lot, also. Like bird ****, once it dries, it can get tough.

20FS

you need an ultra high pressure washer like, 50 000 PSI,

hihoslva

Dude - I seriously hope you're kidding!

High-pressure washers will take your paint right off - especially on the bumpers. Trust me, I did it to my P5 at a DIY carwash (nowhere near 50,000 PSI). Was spraying hard on some bug juice, and the paint started to flake off.

Luckily, Mazda agreed to re-paint it under warranty.

Light-pressure is great for cars - high-pressure is a big mistake.

Pro_fan

You could also try some stuff that Turtle Wax makes called "Bug & Tar remover". You will definitely have to wax after using this stuff....and wax after any sort of citrus based degreaser. That stuff will definitely strip any sort of carnauba based wax, and most likely any polymers as well.

BTW, I agree with the previous post on pressure washers. Avoid high pressure...not only can it possibly strip paint, but it could cause scratching as well.

Sir Nuke

here is what I do...and its the EASIEST way...and the cheapest....I got an old wash cloth....and a zip lock bag....I wet the wash clothe and put it in the zip lock bag.....after I drive to work in the morning....there IS going to be fresh bugs on the car....I get the wet wash clothe out of the back of the car...and I wipe the bugs off the front of the car.....put the towel back in the zip lock and put it in the back of the car.....I do this every day that I drive the car either in the moring...or after dark ...... the bugs come off really easy when they are fresh...its after they have been baked in the sun that they are a bitch to get off.

I personally believe their guts are made of superglue!

proman

i think i like the extra coats of wax idea more. it's less maintenance

jaisai01

turtle waxs' bug and tar remover works well. i use it a lot and it gets it all out. including anyother gunk on ur riude

skyhawk174

Okay Mike I tried this stuff after our trip back from Kelowna and I don't think it works that great. Yes I read the instructions which by the way made me laugh. First instruction: Wash and dry car. Second: Apply Turtle Wax Bug & Tar remover. That was so funny.

It was a day later so maybe that did not help. I ended up taking a sponge which has a fabric over it and actually scrubbed them critters off. What a job. I think I still have some body remnants jammed in a couple of crevices. Also, I tried to clean the rad off but it was difficult with the grill in the way.

doctor_r

The other day a guy at a body shop told me to use spray-nine. Now I thought that stuff was harsh as hell, but he told me that it was completely safe for a clear coat.

Now that stuff will definitely take off bugs.... right now I'll stick to the turtle wax bug and tar.

mito7878

This is going to sound dumb but it really works. Geet some newspaper and wet it really really good. then just put it on the fron bumper and anywhere else you have bugs. layer it on. leave it on for about 30 min or so checking it to make sure it doesnt dry out. Now peel the paper off and wash with sponge or what ever you use and some car soap. It works.

Sir Nuke

you can do the same thing using towels...it just gets the buggies all soft again....if you allow it to soak long enough that is.

pr5owner

LOL 50 000 psi will like... punch a hole in your engine block, those pressure washers at the DIY places are only MAX around 4000psi, i always take mine to those DIY places and never had a problem with paint comming off,
________
OG KUSH MARIJUANA