Bug Removal

hamsterboy

Hi All
Anyone got any tips / methods / products that can easily remove dead bugs from the cars front end.
Recently bought a white car and they're sooooo much more visible than they were on my old black one.
Seen recommendations for clay bars, baby wipes etc.... but thought I'd see what you guys have to say....never steered me wrong yet ...

Cheers

HB

biko

You need to keep after your waxing if you use this method - dryer sheets.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2AGzJjJViI

hamsterboy

Yeah that was the dryer sheet method I mentioned.
You use this technique?

HB

biko

Dryer sheets are not the same as baby wipes.

I personally spray off what I can with plain water, then use APC mix, let it soak and then hand wash off normally with lots of soap and water.
Mind, I don't have many bugs on the car front as I try at least just rinse crap off every week and mainly drive in city. Where I live bird poop in my main concern

hamsterboy

Oops didn't include the dryer sheet method in original post.
I'll give it a shot, not a whole lot on it but it being white paint it's very noticeable. Washed it yesterday and it cleaned everythign off except the damn flies......grrrrrrrrrr

HB

biko

There is many specialised chemicals, like Turtle Wax Bug and Tar Remover.
I'm sure the regulars will suggest a few.

If you give the front a rinse every few days and have a good coat of wax it should help keeping the white paintjob looking nice.

Curran

It's a bit of a catch 22 situation. Anything good enough to remove them will often affect the wax or sealant in the car, so that will need to be topped up.
Hot water on a microfiber and leave sitting on the affected area might help soften them, but slow and painful.

Wolf's Chemicals make an interesting product called The Mask. Spray on, dries clear and smooth. It stays in place until washed off, so can bugs etc that stick to it, simply power wash away. Though, it's an expensive product for a permanent solution....it's best suited to cars being driven to car shows that need a long journey to attend for example, as it's so easy to clean any bonded bugs or flies, etc.

hamsterboy

Thanks for the tips guys.
Any suggestions for a wax to use after the dryer sheet method.
Ashamed to say that I've never REALLY waxed a car so bit of a noob but new car is pretty and want to keep her that way....

Regards

HB

biko

I'd suggest to not was directly after dryer sheet.

After the dryer sheets (or whatever you decide upon) - wash car thoroughly with soap/water/clay etc...
Only then wax car, when there is no dirt or sheet chemicals left.

There are many threads in here on how to wash a car and what products to use so I won't go into that.

Curran

Not sure how good your paintwork will look after repeated bug removal with those dryer sheets, reckon it would leave plenty of swirls.
Bugs, though small, will have skeleton structures, which when wiped across the surface of the paintwork will micro-mar the surface; the sheet it wouldn't imagine is too soft either and there is certainly nowhere for debris to be absorbed into like a microfiber would.

Perhaps using a sheet in the spray bottle and a microfiber to wipe off, is a slightly better method.

blade1

The lads into detailing will probably tear into me for this.
A method I use on my motorbikes is after washing them I give them a rub of orange pledge.
When I come back from a spin with the bike covered in bugs, one wipe of a cloth has it spotless again.

Curran

Vaseline will work too!

*Kol*

Neat snow foam on a microfibre cloth or mitt seems to work well to soften them prior to snow foaming. The normal wash process will remove whatever is left after that.

Mc Love

I just use the snow foam mix and power wash them off then using mf mitt to go over any as normal

ianobrien

What I do is I get a microfibre towel (of if I'm stuck, a tea towel) and soak it in water. I place that over the front of the car and leave it for half an hour or so. It softens the dead flies/bugs and they come off easily enough then with the wash mit and car shampoo.

If you are washing the car, throw the wet towels over the front of the car, get the rest ready to wash (buckets, hose, wash MIT, drying towel, etc), go and have a cup of tea and then they should be soaked enough by the time the tea and bikkies are consumed