Remove bugs and tar quickly
with our paint-safe bug and
tar removers, bug sponges,
and detailing clay bars. In
this detailing guide to
insect removal, we’ll tell
you how to remove bugs, tar,
and tree sap from your
vehicle without scratching.
We’ll even give you some
tips on preventing bug
stains and etching. Learn
how to keep your vehicle
bug-free!
You can find this article
and detailing product on
www.autogeek.net
What’s So Bad About Bugs
Yes, bugs look awful dotted
across your front bumper and
hood, but they’re also very
destructive. Maybe it’s
revenge, but bugs can damage
the paint long after they
hit the car. As insect
remains decompose, they
produce enzymes intended to
break down the carcass.
These enzymes also break
down automotive paint,
resulting in etching.
(Etching requires polishing,
a topic you can read about
in our
Dual
Action
or
Circular Polishing
Guides.)
Here in Florida and across
most of the Southeast, love
bugs are the primary
culprit. Love bugs in
particular have very fatty
bodies, which produce a lot
of enzymes. Plus, their
sheer number and affinity
for busy roads make them
unavoidable. And, since they
are love bugs, they hit your
vehicle two at a time.
Love bugs are a major
problem in the Southeast.
Dozens can coat a bumper in
just a couple days.
Other Sticky Contaminants
Besides bugs, your vehicle
regularly encounters tar,
tree sap, and bird
droppings. All of these
things are detrimental to
the paint and should be
removed ASAP (no pun
intended!).
Bug & Tar Removal
As
soon as you notice bugs,
tar, or anything foreign on
your vehicle, take action.
Here’s what you can do:
Step 1:
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.
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Step 2:
If step 1 didn’t
work, you need a
stronger solution.
For an isolated
spot, you can use
any number of bug
and tar removers
that are basically
strong cleaners
intended to dissolve
the bug or tar.
Examples are
Stoner XENIT
and
Tarminator,
Poorboy’s World Bug
Squash,
and
Wurth Tar Remover.
P21S Total Car Wash
and
Meguiars All Purpose
Cleaner Plus
are all-over
exterior cleaners
that work wonders on
sticky grime. The
drawback to bug and
tar removers and
cleaners is that you
will have to reapply
paint protection.
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.
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Stoner Xenit (above)
is an intense citrus
cleaner for stubborn
contamination.
Stoner Tarminator
(below) works on
tough tar deposits.
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Step 3:
Let’s say your
vehicle is covered
in bugs, which is
the case for most
cars in Florida
during love bug
season. Instead of
tackling each spot,
its best to wash
your vehicle. As
you’re soaping down
the front of your
vehicle, use the
Pinnacle Safe Scrub
to gently wash the
entire area in a
back and forth
motion. The
honeycomb texture
gets under the bug
remains and lifts
them off the paint.
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Detailer’s Tip
#1:
To soften the
Pinnacle Safe
Scrub Bug Sponge,
soak it in warm
water for 3
minutes. The
sponge will
soften quite a
bit, yet it’s
still very
effective.
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You
can also use a
8 Inch
Montana Original Boar’s Hair
Brush.
The feathered bristles are
gentle yet effective at
loosening stubborn grime.
The
2-in-1
Wash Mitt
is soft sheepskin on one
side and bug-removing mesh
on the other side. This one
mitt is capable of luxurious
washing and gentle
scrubbing.
A
2-in-1 Wash Mitt or a Boar's
Hair Brush will help to
gently remove bugs and
grime.
Step 4:
Yet
another bug and tar removal
option is
detailing clay.
Clay was invented to remove
paint overspray, but it’s
proven very effective at
removing tree sap, tar, and
bugs. You’ll need a bar of
detailing clay
and a bottle of
clay
lubricant.
Pinnacle Ultra Poly Clay
is a fine grade clay
designed for maintaining a
slick finish.
Wolfgang Elastic Poly Clay
and
DP
Universal Detailing Clay
are both created to remove
old, baked-on contaminants.
Spray the desired area with
clay lubricant and then rub
the clay bar back and forth.
It will grab the surface at
first. As it removes
contaminants, the clay will
glide more easily. If you’re
claying the whole vehicle or
a large area, reshape the
clay bar often to reveal
clean clay. For more info on
clay, see our
Detailing Clay How-To.
-
Detailer’s Tip
#2:
Detailing Clay
can be used on auto
glass, too. Use it
exactly the same way as
described above. As long
as you use plenty of
lubricant, detailing
clay is perfectly safe
on glass and metal.
Wolfgang Elastic Poly Clay
and Clay Lubricant safely
remove bugs, tar, and sap.
Always reapply wax after
using detailing clay. Wax
will make future cleaning
easier.
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Oregon
Hood Release
