| MrGrin |
I've had some really nasty bug guts all over the front of my MO. I've used Turtle Wax's Tar and Bug remover - it sucks!
I read a few posts on this forum on how to remove bug splats and the 2 that stood out was: (1) using WD40 and (2) using a wet fabric softener cloth.
Here is my verdict - the WD40 just did not cut it for me. It was OK to remove dead bugs stuck in the front. But it did not do a thing for more massive and dried bug guts. Also, it left an oily residue on the finish :mad: In my opinion, the clear winner was the wet fabric softener cloth. The bug guts simply dissolved away - I simply could not believe my eyes. :rolleyes:
Here is my only concern - I removed the bugs when the car was parked in the garage with incandescent lighting. I'm not sure if the fabric softener, while removing the bug guts, scratched the clear coat finish. I'll have to check tomorrow and I'll keep you posted. |
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| mgthe3 |
| If you keep a good coat of hard wax on your front end, you will have no problems getting the bug guts off. Mine wipe off with a lamb skin mit when I wash Mo. |
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| TheGymKid |
My recommendation:
I found the clay bar to work the best. I've used it on the hood, grill and front of my side mirrors before I wax her up. I bought Mcquires (sp) and it works extremly well. (I wanted to get the Zaino clay bar due to recommendations, but it was just a lot of work to get my hands on it... & my local store sold this brand.) |
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| Kris |
| I second the above - wax and clay bar work wonders! |
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| jatharp |
| Think about having a clear bra installed to the Hood, Bumper and Mirrors. Makes Bug removal a whole lot easier and prevents stone chips. |
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| sobamanismo |
While I 2nd the above reccommending the clear bra. I have been an advocate of the fabric softener for years (you might have seen one of my posts about it). I've used it on customer's cars as well as my own for a long long time is far and away the most effective method I've found.
Surley in Atlanta you get the "lovebugs" that we here in the deep south enjoy. I keep much more than a good coat on our cars and they still cling tenaciously to any surface. If you don't manage to get them off in a couple days they begin eating into the paint and it takes a lot more effort to get thier impressions off :(
...the dryer sheets won't scratch your paint. |
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| mgthe3 |
No, we do not have them in the abundance you guys down further south do.....
But all I have to do is drive to the lake or the river and I am Shiva, destroyer of insect worlds.
Collinte wax is extremely slippery. I keep a fresh coat on the bumper and leading edge of my hood for not only bugs but most other debris that whack it. I'm convinced that it has helped with stone chipping on my paint: I have very few tiny paint chips and yet I have had to replace my windshield already from rocks.
I'll have to try the dryer sheet though, sounds great!
Anyone who has to drive through clouds of love bugs is an expert in bug removal in my opinion.
:) |
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| sobamanismo |
Not by choice believe me, they have been my twice yearly personal hell for about 15 years now :(
Collinte, please expound haven't heard this brand/type before. |
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| Gonzo |
| I've had great luck with Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser. Give it a try. |
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| MrGrin |
sobamanismo - I must have read one of your posts about using the fabric softener sheets. Great Tip!
I just checked my MO in the sunlight - there are no scratch marks. However, because the bug guts stayed on the car for over a couple of days, I can see a "mirror image" of the bug guts. Any recommendations on how to get this off without scratching the paint - I'm over sensitive because I have a black MO ;)
Thanks. |
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| sobamanismo |
I have 2 or 3 myself :( I went at them w/ just polish the other day before a wax and there are still hints of them I hate to say (although I'm pretty OCD).
I always start w/ the least abrasive and work up. Try polish, if that doesnt get them out try a clay bar. If that's still not working you will need to step up to buffing.
Keep in mind there's only so much paint you can shave away before making the problems a LOT worse so be gentle as you can. |
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| mgthe3 |
It's an ultra fine polish and pretty much fool proof.
I've used it for years for removing the scratches under the door handles, never once went to the primer, in fact, I don't think it went past the clear coat. |
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