Bug help - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jsharp · 05-02-2012, 08:53 PM

Best way to clean bugs from front of car without scratching my black car and my zl1 bumper! I typycally soak in adams soap and foam a couple of times then rinse off. Then i usually knock off the rest with pressure washer then wash with mit. I usually still have residue because i dont want to apply much pressure of my mit as im afraid that will scratch it. I usually end up claying and polishing with adams white pad the put on americana. But bugs still penetrate wax and cover bumper in 2 days so then i have to do it over again. Pls help!

CamaroDreams07 · 05-02-2012, 08:56 PM

If you have a good coat of wax on the car, they should come off easily. The key is removing them after each time you drive. The longer they sit, the harder it is.

Soak them down good with detail spray or waterless wash. Let it dwell for a minute and then wipe off with a microfiber. You shouldn't have problems.

WiSSDiver · 05-02-2012, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams07

If you have a good coat of wax on the car, they should come off easily. The key is removing them after each time you drive. The longer they sit, the harder it is.

Soak them down good with detail spray or waterless wash. Let it dwell for a minute and then wipe off with a microfiber. You shouldn't have problems.

+1 they do come off quick when all that wax is up front. Like Camarodreams mentioned, get them off in a day or so with DS or WW and wipe them off with a MF towel. If they have harded, don't wipe too long with your motion of the MF towel. That hard little bug could act like the grit on sandpaper.

best210 · 05-03-2012, 05:04 AM

I was told that dryer sheets would get the bugs off. I haven't tried it yet, but as bad as the Love bugs are down here I just might.

GPC1 · 05-03-2012, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Soak them down good with detail spray or waterless wash. Let it dwell for a minute and then wipe off with a microfiber. You shouldn't have problems.

I've found this to work the best

jsharp · 05-03-2012, 12:59 PM

Thanks. It just seems to me that if you move it across the paint as you swipe the towel that it will drag and scratch the car. I sold my waterless wash because of that but I will try it with detail spray. I have put two coats of americana since it was freshly painted 1 month ago. so It has the was there but maybe I am putting it off to long in fear that I will scrath the car up!

CamaroDreams07 · 05-03-2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsharp

Thanks. It just seems to me that if you move it across the paint as you swipe the towel that it will drag and scratch the car. I sold my waterless wash because of that but I will try it with detail spray. I have put two coats of americana since it was freshly painted 1 month ago. so It has the was there but maybe I am putting it off to long in fear that I will scrath the car up!

The longer you put it off, the more likely it is to scratch. Sure, some bugs might leave some tiny scratches, but that's better than letting their guts etch away your clear. Much easier to fix.

Use something more durable than a carnuaba on the front, like a synthetic sealant. Much better protection and lasts a lot longer. You can still top the sealant with Americana if you choose.

Angelo@Autopia · 05-03-2012, 03:49 PM

If the spot is relatively fresh, you can use a microfiber towel and a quick detailer to wipe the paint clean. This is ideal because you’re not removing any existing wax, but if it didn't work, you will need a stronger solution for those really stubborn areas, you can use any number of bug and tar removers that are basically strong cleaners intended to dissolve bugs. Examples are Stoner XENIT, Tarminator, Poorboy’s World Bug Squash, and Wurth Tar Remover. P21S Total Car Wash and also Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner Plus are all-over exterior cleaners that work great on bugs. The drawback to bug and tar removers and cleaners is that you will have to reapply a LSP product. However, spray waxes and sealants have made it very quick and easy to spot-wax your car. With most, you just spray, spread, and wipe. I like using a Safe Scrub to gently wash those area's in a back and forth motion. The honeycomb texture gets under the bug remains and lifts them off the paint. After it's all clean I would go back and apply my LSP for protection. Remember to keep your front end protect with a sealant and wax to help you down the road in removing them and protecting your paint.

dellidog · 05-03-2012, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsharp

Best way to clean bugs from front of car without scratching my black car and my zl1 bumper! I typycally soak in adams soap and foam a couple of times then rinse off. Then i usually knock off the rest with pressure washer then wash with mit. I usually still have residue because i dont want to apply much pressure of my mit as im afraid that will scratch it. I usually end up claying and polishing with adams white pad the put on americana. But bugs still penetrate wax and cover bumper in 2 days so then i have to do it over again. Pls help!

Living in Florida we get the love bug swarms twice a year. If you leave this on more than over night, they eat thru the clearcoat. Best thing is a good coat of wax, and Bounce dryer sheets. Hose off the big chunks and then, keeping the sheet wet, wash gently. You'll need to wash again with your regular car wash to get the Bounce off, but no scrubbing required, and a quick wax. With the season almost here I just a new box of Bounce

Camarrow1 · 05-03-2012, 08:52 PM

I keep a pack of baby wipes in the car. helps keep the bugs and bird droppings off the car quickly without eating off my wax. no harsh chemicals,works fast being moist then toss them away.

austinjames · 05-03-2012, 08:54 PM

I bought this for my motorcycles a few years ago, now I stockpile it. Its a dream come true for bugs, tar, gum, anything. Spray it on let it sit for 30 seconds and everything comes off with one wipe. I use it on my front bumper every few days.

jsharp · 05-03-2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by austinjames

I bought this for my motorcycles a few years ago, now I stockpile it. Its a dream come true for bugs, tar, gum, anything. Spray it on let it sit for 30 seconds and everything comes off with one wipe. I use it on my front bumper every few days.

Do you have to wipe or can i just rinse off then wash?

austinjames · 05-03-2012, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsharp

Do you have to wipe or can i just rinse off then wash?

Not sure, I always just wipe it. But ill try just rinsing it tomorrow and get back to you.

05-02-2012, 08:53 PM	#1
jsharp NOW CAMMED & SUPERCHARGED Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Black w/ IOM Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ar Posts: 2,336	Bug help Best way to clean bugs from front of car without scratching my black car and my zl1 bumper! I typycally soak in adams soap and foam a couple of times then rinse off. Then i usually knock off the rest with pressure washer then wash with mit. I usually still have residue because i dont want to apply much pressure of my mit as im afraid that will scratch it. I usually end up claying and polishing with adams white pad the put on americana. But bugs still penetrate wax and cover bumper in 2 days so then i have to do it over again. Pls help! __________________ Livernois Motorsports: Maggie 2300 7psi, Livernois 2C cam/L99 to LS3 Conversion, Ported TB, Rotofab w/adm race scoop, adm trans cooler,Kooks headers no cats, Kooks 3" exhaust. METCO breather. Precision 2400 Vigilante TC. Eibach Lowering Springs & Swaybars. BMR Trailing arms, BMR Rear Cradle Bushings, BMR Toe Rods, BMR Differential bushings. Vossen CV3 20's w/ 305 Mickey Thompson @25psi. Zl1 front bumper. OE Zl1 Hood and matte black insert. 556RWHP/500RWTQ L99

05-02-2012, 08:56 PM	#2
CamaroDreams07 Drives: Slow V6 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: East Lansing, MI Posts: 9,361 View My Garage	If you have a good coat of wax on the car, they should come off easily. The key is removing them after each time you drive. The longer they sit, the harder it is. Soak them down good with detail spray or waterless wash. Let it dwell for a minute and then wipe off with a microfiber. You shouldn't have problems. __________________ [B]

05-03-2012, 12:59 PM	#6
jsharp NOW CAMMED & SUPERCHARGED Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Black w/ IOM Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ar Posts: 2,336	Thanks. It just seems to me that if you move it across the paint as you swipe the towel that it will drag and scratch the car. I sold my waterless wash because of that but I will try it with detail spray. I have put two coats of americana since it was freshly painted 1 month ago. so It has the was there but maybe I am putting it off to long in fear that I will scrath the car up! __________________ Livernois Motorsports: Maggie 2300 7psi, Livernois 2C cam/L99 to LS3 Conversion, Ported TB, Rotofab w/adm race scoop, adm trans cooler,Kooks headers no cats, Kooks 3" exhaust. METCO breather. Precision 2400 Vigilante TC. Eibach Lowering Springs & Swaybars. BMR Trailing arms, BMR Rear Cradle Bushings, BMR Toe Rods, BMR Differential bushings. Vossen CV3 20's w/ 305 Mickey Thompson @25psi. Zl1 front bumper. OE Zl1 Hood and matte black insert. 556RWHP/500RWTQ L99

05-03-2012, 08:54 PM	#11
austinjames Account Suspend...Right Drives: Synergy LS & Vulcan 1600cc Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lakeland, Florida Posts: 3,547 View My Garage	I bought this for my motorcycles a few years ago, now I stockpile it. Its a dream come true for bugs, tar, gum, anything. Spray it on let it sit for 30 seconds and everything comes off with one wipe. I use it on my front bumper every few days. __________________

05-03-2012, 05:04 AM	#4
best210 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Orange, TX Posts: 19 View My Garage	I was told that dryer sheets would get the bugs off. I haven't tried it yet, but as bad as the Love bugs are down here I just might.

05-03-2012, 03:49 PM	#8
Angelo@Autopia Drives: 2014 Ford Focus ST Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 939	If the spot is relatively fresh, you can use a microfiber towel and a quick detailer to wipe the paint clean. This is ideal because you’re not removing any existing wax, but if it didn't work, you will need a stronger solution for those really stubborn areas, you can use any number of bug and tar removers that are basically strong cleaners intended to dissolve bugs. Examples are Stoner XENIT, Tarminator, Poorboy’s World Bug Squash, and Wurth Tar Remover. P21S Total Car Wash and also Meguiars All Purpose Cleaner Plus are all-over exterior cleaners that work great on bugs. The drawback to bug and tar removers and cleaners is that you will have to reapply a LSP product. However, spray waxes and sealants have made it very quick and easy to spot-wax your car. With most, you just spray, spread, and wipe. I like using a Safe Scrub to gently wash those area's in a back and forth motion. The honeycomb texture gets under the bug remains and lifts them off the paint. After it's all clean I would go back and apply my LSP for protection. Remember to keep your front end protect with a sealant and wax to help you down the road in removing them and protecting your paint.

05-03-2012, 08:52 PM	#10
Camarrow1 WillieB Drives: 10camaro2ss 10avalanch Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Austin texas Posts: 28	I keep a pack of baby wipes in the car. helps keep the bugs and bird droppings off the car quickly without eating off my wax. no harsh chemicals,works fast being moist then toss them away.