Hi all,

Took a nice trip to KennebunkPort, ME the other day and got a ton of bugs and even a huge poor butterly/moth thing stuck to the front grille. Didn't look too closely at the grille "netting"? (not sure what you guys call it), but what's the best way to safely remove the bugs until I get a detail/ceramic coat?

Just soak them in water/soapy water? Dawn detergent and water, lightly rub with sponge?

Just looking for some simple cleaning advice. Also, to touch up your wheels, Windex with vinegar a no no even if sprayed onto a cloth? Just seeing what I have handy in the garage.

Thanks,
GR

 

Dawn cleans very well, but it also removes wax along with all the grease. So, if you have a ceramic coating it will work well. If you wax (or some other type of waxy substance) you'll have to reapply after the wash. Of course, you'd do that ANYWAY, right???

 

Use an expended dryer sheet. Works great and doesn't leave swirls, at least on my Jeep. My Jag has an Opti-Coat type product so most everything just wipes off and I haven't had to scrub bugs off, perhaps try a recessed area first.

 

I tend to give everything a good hose down and the crunchy bugs (or flying fox crap) rehydrates a bit. Then a few minutes later hit it with more pressure and they usually wash straight off.

I've been known to use the gurney, but only at a distance that doesnt hurt my feet if I spray them with it and using the spray head, not the one which would take paint off walls. It is awesome for taking the brake dust off the wheels and brakes. I usually wax the car and wheels if I have gurneyed it.

 

Oh man, you're killing me, what the ???
Washing your car from a gurney... I'm still chuckling.
Gurney:
"a flat, padded table or stretcher with legs and wheels, for transporting patients or bodies."

Guess you've got a different meaning for that word, eh? We tend to call them 'power washers' or 'pressure washers' over here.

But that's a good one!

 

haha, actually we usually call them "Karchers" but that is just a brand name so I said "gurney" thinking it would be easier to understand.

But there are plenty of differences in the lingo, what we call a "fanny" is some inches away from what you guys would be thinking of.

 

Pressure washer = gurney?

I let mother nature do the work via rain, figure she put them there, she'll clean them up too.

 

Wash the car as normal and revisit any remaining bug spots with "Bug & Tar Remover". Once applied and cleaned; just rewash that area.

You'll have to decide if you need to re-wax that area or not.

 

That's what I use and follow up with a spray detailer.

 

Does spray detailer remove the original wax? I started using it after I dry the car, but wasn't sure if I am just removing the wax I applied a month earlier (Colinite Insulator).

 

It takes an act of congress to remove Colinite.
I use the "detergent proof" Colinite Heavy Duty wax. You have to strip that with very strong soap or polishing.

 

Figures... I have the other 3 Colinite waxes; not the heavy duty. I thought Insulator wax was supposed to be might tuff? So far so good. Been using Colinite for almost 20 years.

 

An old remedy for bug removal is a solution of baking soda and water. It really works for bugs. Baking soda is a "base" and bugs are somewhat "acidic". Combination neutralizes bugs. No harm to paint.

 

The baking soda is not too abrasive on the paint or do you let is dissolve completely first?

 

It was their toughest.
I believe the heavyduty adds the strength to standup to detergent.
Insulator was intended to be used to coat wires that never saw soap.

 

WD 40 claims their product effectively removes bugs from cars.

 

What about any bugs or bug residue left on the grille part? Toothbrush?

 

Baking soda easily dissolves in water. Don't use just baking soda powder. Sometimes, I soak cloth or paper towels in the solution and drape them onto the car for 20 minutes or so, keeping them wet with solution.

 

Totally agree.