Bug Remover Comparison

[Todd@Autopia]

Bug Remover Comparison Test

The Subject: A Blue Toyota Tundra littered with 3 weeks of bug remains.

Products Tested:

• Pinnacle SafeScrub Bug Sponge + Pinnacle Bodywork Shampoo
• Chemical Guys's Bug Bugger
• Poorboy's Bug Squash
• Dodo Juice Supernatural Tar & Glue Remover
• Diamondite Eraser
• Car Pro Tar-X

Two of the products in this test, the Pinnacle SafeScrub Bug Sponge and Chemical Guys Bug Bugger are both used with agitation and are not sprayed on to the bugs or residue. The remaining products can be sprayed and allowed to soak, or sprayed and agitated. The goal was to test each product in each way to reveal as many unique attributes as possible.


Starting Condition:







I started the test by tapping off each test section and laying the products out in front.




From left-to-right, the starting condition of Pinnacle SafeScrub side.




The starting condition of the Chemical Guy's Bug Bugger.




The starting condition of Poorboy's Bug Squash.




The starting condition of Dodo Juice Super Natural Tar & Glue Remover.




The starting condition of Diamondite Bug Eraser.




The starting condition of CarPro Tar-X.




Test One- Test one was to test the non-agitated strength of the spray products by spraying each product on the bug covered paint and allowing to dwell for the length of time recommended per the instructions of each. For the non-spray products I simply used according to the directions. Note: Each of the products recommended spraying the paint with water prior to applying the product. In order to keep a maximum amount of residue on the surface and eliminate variables only a light stream of water was used to wet the surface and create the proper dilutions.

Test One: Pinnacle SafeScrub Bug Sponge.

The SafeScrub was allowed to soak in a solution of Pinnacle Body Shampoo and water for five minutes prior to use.




An ample amount of soap solution was applied to the paint by squeezing the paint. Then the sponge was lightly rubbed across the paint. Approximately 30% of the bug remains were removed immediately. The sponge was rinsed in the wash bucket and then lightly rubbed across the paint again. The extra dwell time made a world of difference as almost all bug remains came off on the second wipe with no pressure.




After rinsing clean.




Test One: Chemicals Guys Bug Bugger

Chemical Guys directs to dilute 3 cap-fulls of Bug Bugger to 1 gallon of water then apply it with a sponge, applicator, or microfiber towel then rinse clean.

First dilute Bug Bugger into 1 gallon of water.




I chose to use a general purpose microfiber, which was allowed to soak in the Bug Bugger solution for several minutes.




Then the solution was lightly wiped across into the paint. The bug remains released quickly. After approximately 30 seconds of dwell time, a second wipe removed the remaining bug remains completely.




After rinsing clean.




Test One: Poor Boy's Bug Squash

Poor Boy's recommends applying Bug Squash straight up or diluted 1 part to 3 parts waters. For this test I applied it undiluted. They also recommend letting dwell for 30 seconds then agitating or rinsing off. In Test 1 I wanted to test each product with out agitation.





A view of Poorboy's Bug Squash dwelling. It has lots of tiny suds and good clinging power.




Rinsing revealed that most of the smaller remains were removed.

[Todd@Autopia]

Test One: Dodo Juice Supernatural Super Natural Tar & Glue Remover.

Dodo Juice doesn't have a recommended time to allow Supernatural Tar & Glue Remover to dwell, instead instructing to allow the product to saturate the residue. A thick coat was sprayed on and allowed to dwell from approximately 3 minutes.






There was no suds but the Dodo Juice had really strong clinging ability with little running. It has a strong citrus smell.




After rinsing clean.




Test One: Diamondite Bug Eraser

Diamondite recommends letting Bug Eraser sit for 30 seconds before rinsing off.




The sprayer on Diamondite delivers the most volume per spray, making it easy to coat the area quickly.




Diamondite Bug Eraser creates the highest amount of suds although the solution tends to run off the paint.




After rinsing clean.




Test One: CarPro Tar-X

CarPro recommends allowing Tar-X dwell for 2-3 minutes for maximum effect. Tar-X has a strong citrus smell similar to Dodo Juice Supernatural Rubber & Tar Remover.




The product sprays easy and covers evenly.




The green tracers make it easy to see where Tar-X has been applied although it can be hard to distinguish on this blue paint. Tar-X quickly displaces the water around it and slowly slides down the paint.




After rinsing completely.

[Todd@Autopia]

Test Two: For test two each of the products (minus the Pinnacle Bug Sponge and Chemical Guy's Bug Bugger which both required agitation) where agitated after being allowed to dwell for the amount of time on the directions.




Then each product was rinsed off. Instead of showing pictures of a general purpose microfiber towel on each section lets jump to the final results.


Pinnacle SoftScrub Bug Sponge.






Chemical Guy's Bug Bugger.






Poorboy's Bug Squash.






Diamondite Bug Eraser.






Dodo Juice Supernatural Tar & Glue Remover.






CarPro Tar-X.






Final Notes by Product:


Pinnacle SoftScrub Bug Sponge- Removed the majority of bug remains quickly when the soap solution was allowed to dwell for just 20-30 seconds. Some tougher remains likely needed increased scrubbing (at the risk of marking the paint) or one of the chemical cleaners used in this thread.

Chemical Guys Bug Bugger- Removed the majority bugs on the first application. After being allowed to dwell for 30 seconds the remaining bugs came off with minimal effort. Extremely effective solution that requires mixing in a separate wash bucket.

Poorboy's Bug Squash- Good sudsing and clinging when applied to bug solution. It is much stronger when used with light agitation.

Dodo Juice Supernatural Glue & Tar Remover- Strong citrus based cleaner removed some fairly stubborn remains with out agitation. Lightly wiping with a microfiber quickly removed the remainder. Strong citrus smell.

Diamondite Eraser- Likely had the worse, most soiled area to work on. Was able to remove a lot of stubborn remains with out agitation although some was needed for complete removal. High suds action makes it easy to see where it has been applied.

CarPro Tar-X- This mild manner cleaner is easy to spot with its green tracers and strong smell. It definitely needs to be agitated, not only to remove the bug residue but also to rinse completely free.

[CPT_Hoolie]

Great comparison, thank you!

Will any of the chemical products remove wax or sealants?

[Avalnch]

How about just soap (car wash) and water?

[Todd@Autopia]

Originally Posted by Avalnch

How about just soap (car wash) and water?

If they are fresh, then a powerful blast from your hose will knock most of the remains (particularly the solid parts) off. You can wash normally in most cases (again if they are fresh). Just be careful your wash sponge, towel, or mitt doesn't pick up pieces of insect remains that can scratch your paint (swirl mark like scratches).

If they are dried own you can still use car soap. Just a little different technique. Take a soft microfiber and get it wet. Then put about an ounce of car soap on the microfiber and kind of rub it against itself until you get a light lather. Now softly wipe the microfiber over the bugs, covering them in your thick solution. Let them sit for 5-10 minutes (maybe more). This will re hydrate the bugs and make their remove easier.

You can also use a Pinnacle Safe Scrub to speed the process. Once they are softened they will come free much easier.

[Todd@Autopia]

Originally Posted by CPT_Hoolie

Great comparison, thank you!

Will any of the chemical products remove wax or sealants?

For the most part they are going to remove or weaken the wax or sealant. I would re wax just to be safe. Keep this in mind though... If the bug remains are difficult to remove (they have been sitting there long enough to adhere to the paint) your wax or sealant is probably compromised anyways and it would be good practice to reapply.

[Avalnch]

Thanks for all the great info. So, do any of these tested products work equally well on tar and especially melted tire? Track days are notorious for leaving gobs of melted tire on to paint. I've been using WD40 since I feel that the other solvent based bug&tar removers are way too strong.

[MackMan]

Nice information definitely as my car is my dd.

[hrpiii]

is any of those safe for a Clearbra?

Or is Soap/Water, or Waterless wash best for those of us with a clearbra on the front of the vehicle?

[Todd@Autopia]

Originally Posted by Avalnch

Thanks for all the great info. So, do any of these tested products work equally well on tar and especially melted tire? Track days are notorious for leaving gobs of melted tire on to paint. I've been using WD40 since I feel that the other solvent based bug&tar removers are way too strong.

Most of them will work extremely well on tar. WD40 is a great 'home' remedy is as well.

If you want something that is great on tar as well as bugs you could consider one of the top APC products. Both BLACKFIRE All N One APC and Optimum Power Clean make cleaning tar and bugs easy, while also being effective at cleaning engines, tires, wheels, and even leather (when used diluted).

Originally Posted by hrpiii

is any of those safe for a Clearbra?

Or is Soap/Water, or Waterless wash best for those of us with a clearbra on the front of the vehicle?

Yes. They are safe for clear-bras!

[PalmerGA]

Originally Posted by Avalnch

Thanks for all the great info. So, do any of these tested products work equally well on tar and especially melted tire? Track days are notorious for leaving gobs of melted tire on to paint. I've been using WD40 since I feel that the other solvent based bug&tar removers are way too strong.

That WD40 is wonderful stuff. So many uses and not too strong... yet effective.