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04-09-2012, 12:04 PM | #1 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 312236
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Flyover Country (Midwest)
Vehicle:12 Imp Sport black 12 Imp Prm sdn DGM-wife's |
Removing Bugs From Front Bumper / Grille
I don't know if it's the unusually mild winter or what, but it seems the bugs in my area are much worse this spring than in years past. I can't even drive a mile on the highway without at least a few bugs ending up splattered on my front bumper. What is the best way to remove bug guts from the front bumper and grille? I've got a sport mesh grille on my 12 Impreza, if that makes a difference.
I'd prefer something simple that doesn't take much time or money. So far, I've used some "bug remover" solution and scrubbed it with a soft towel. The "bug remover" solution is basically useless; I end up having to use my fingernail to scrape off all the crusted on bugs. Soap and water works probably just as well. Does anyone have a better way to remove bug guts from the front bumper?
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04-09-2012, 12:04 PM | #2 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 26965
Join Date: Oct 2002
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Independence, KY
Vehicle:2013 XV crosstrek silver |
Hit a deer. Their fur takes the bugs right off.
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04-09-2012, 12:40 PM | #3 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 182114
Join Date: Jun 2008
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Texas
Vehicle:1996 Nissan HARDbody 1931 Ford Model A |
This stuff is awesome |
04-09-2012, 01:02 PM | #4 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 310396
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Oklahoma City
Vehicle:2011 WRX Hatch SSM and PhatBotti Tuned |
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04-09-2012, 03:31 PM | #5 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 312236
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Flyover Country (Midwest)
Vehicle:12 Imp Sport black 12 Imp Prm sdn DGM-wife's |
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04-09-2012, 03:32 PM | #6 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 182114
Join Date: Jun 2008
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Texas
Vehicle:1996 Nissan HARDbody 1931 Ford Model A |
I think once a week should be good. And they sell it for sure at O'Reilly's
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04-09-2012, 03:54 PM | #7 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 310396
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Oklahoma City
Vehicle:2011 WRX Hatch SSM and PhatBotti Tuned |
Personally I think a week is too long. The acid in bug guts can etch into your clearcoat quick. I try to take a couple minutes every day if I drive anything but a short distance, to take a rag and said remover and quickly wipe them off then. I have seen bugs and bird poo etch into clear coat in a matter of hours.
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04-09-2012, 03:55 PM | #8 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 310396
Join Date: Feb 2012
Chapter/Region:
TXIC
Location: Oklahoma City
Vehicle:2011 WRX Hatch SSM and PhatBotti Tuned |
Especially here in the midwest (where you are as well) when the sun beats on our cars.
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04-09-2012, 09:16 PM | #9 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 280572
Join Date: Apr 2011
Chapter/Region:
E. Canada
Location: southern ontario canada
Vehicle:2011 sti sedan plasma blue pearl |
I fond by washing the car with rainx car wash and then hit with Lucas fast detailer. Then when it comes time to wash the car again the bugs just wipe right off
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04-09-2012, 10:21 PM | #10 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 238682
Join Date: Feb 2010
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: RI
Vehicle:07 BBLGUN STI EJ207 V9 swapped |
I usually just powerwash them off.. one quick swipe with the hose and bugs b gone!
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04-09-2012, 11:38 PM | #11 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 315105
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: maryland
Vehicle:2012 WRX Bluuuue baby!!! |
A good hard wax or sealant finish will help the bugs to come right off with just spraying them with a water hose. I have used Collinite 915 on the from of my Z for this and everything came off with little to no scrubbing. Remember, the more you have to touch your paint.. the more it will be marred and after a while it will start to turn dull.
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04-09-2012, 11:40 PM | #12 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 315105
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: maryland
Vehicle:2012 WRX Bluuuue baby!!! |
This is great too if you have one or don't mind paying for one. You can get them pretty cheap these days. I wish I could do it, but if I have to wash my car here, even in the evening like you should do I get waterspots like crazy if I don't dry the car IMMEDIATELY. Horrible town water around here.
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04-10-2012, 07:55 AM | #13 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 293423
Join Date: Sep 2011
Chapter/Region:
NESIC
Location: Western MA
Vehicle:2011 WRX Limited 5dr WRB SPT/Stock |
I usually just soak them for a while with a detailing spray and then wipe them off, but its better to carry a microfiber towel and detailing spray in the car, and just wipe them when you see them.
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04-10-2012, 09:59 AM | #14 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 291454
Join Date: Aug 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Toledo OH
Vehicle:2011 BJV STI 4-Door WRB |
A tip I have heard and used yesterday while cleaning mine, dryer sheets.
Just take a dryer sheet, dip it in water, and use a bit of elbow grease to get them off. I was also using a towel to wipe up the residue. Worked really well, and will probably be my bug gut cleaner go-to from now on. |
04-10-2012, 11:06 AM | #15 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 25187
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: So. CA
Vehicle:2020 Forester 2010 Challenger R/T |
Quote:
I second methodically's advice about using a quality, resilient sealant/wax with good contaminant shedding characteristics. From my own experience I would say something like FK1000P would work quite well for this. Its what I used on the wife's Forester before I switched to Opti-Coat on her car. I still think it was better than OC in this regard. Obviously, application of such products on complex surfaces like a grill may be not be feasible. ....although I have had good success applying Optimum Opti-Seal via airbrush in areas like these. Using a soft bristle brush or something like a boars hair brush while you wash can also help dislodge contaminants from grills, badges, etc. To OKC's earlier point, the quicker you can remove bug remnants the better. Shellac (at least originally) was derived from insects and its no wonder why splattered bugs can leave such a hard residue on your paint. .....some are worse than others. --sent via mobile phone-- |
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04-10-2012, 12:39 PM | #16 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 178854
Join Date: Apr 2008
Chapter/Region:
NWIC
Location: Seattle
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Its kinda a hack, but what I've found works best is to take a MF towel, get it wet, nuke it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds to get it good and warm, spray the bug remains with a quick detail product and then hold the towel on the bug guts for a few seconds prior to some soft agitation. The heat in the towel helps to loosen the stuck on bug. This process also works well on Tar.
If that fails I usually use Stoner Tarminator. |
04-10-2012, 03:31 PM | #17 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 312236
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Flyover Country (Midwest)
Vehicle:12 Imp Sport black 12 Imp Prm sdn DGM-wife's |
Quote:
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04-10-2012, 03:56 PM | #18 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 315105
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: maryland
Vehicle:2012 WRX Bluuuue baby!!! |
Quote:
It's heat resistant up to 215 degrees from what ive read. Also FK has some cleaning effects and will get anything else off that you might miss during washing. Collinite wax has NO cleaning effect however so it can be layered if one wishes to do so... though layering is debated. I'm a fan of putting 2 coats of the Collinite 915 on. It's a beauty wax, but it's quite durable if you aren't using a harsh car wash or wash mitt. I will also add that Collinite 845 is also excellent boat wax that many people use. |
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04-10-2012, 04:00 PM | #19 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 315105
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: maryland
Vehicle:2012 WRX Bluuuue baby!!! |
what many of you are missing is that wiping across these bugs IS going to mar your paint if only slightly. Rinse the area and just keep spraying it around and let it soften the bugs... many of them will come off with just minor pressure with the hose after that.
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04-10-2012, 04:08 PM | #20 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 291454
Join Date: Aug 2011
Chapter/Region:
MWSOC
Location: Toledo OH
Vehicle:2011 BJV STI 4-Door WRB |
Quote:
I've seen this method referenced on here before also, http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show...3&postcount=16 |
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04-10-2012, 04:40 PM | #21 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 25187
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: So. CA
Vehicle:2020 Forester 2010 Challenger R/T |
Quote:
In fact, while I don't necessarily agree with "layering" some products do seem to perform better with one or more applications. In the case of FK1000P, I can only attribute its above average resilience (once cured) when holding up to a second coat. |
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04-11-2012, 12:45 AM | #22 | |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 315105
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: maryland
Vehicle:2012 WRX Bluuuue baby!!! |
Quote:
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04-11-2012, 03:14 AM | #23 |
Scooby Specialist
Member#: 178050
Join Date: Apr 2008
Chapter/Region:
SWIC
Location: Arizona + Indiana
Vehicle:02 hybrid-wrx psm |
Clay Bar...
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04-30-2012, 01:29 PM | #24 |
Scooby Newbie
Member#: 260054
Join Date: Oct 2010
Chapter/Region:
RMIC
Vehicle:2004 AW WRX Wagon VF43, Opensource Tune |
So I'm bringing this thread back up since it's not that old and it's easier than making a new post.
I just have a really long drive (over 1k miles) from Colorado through Utah etc and the amount of bugs i picked up is nothing short of amazing. I am thinking of trying the FK1000P since nothing seems to take these things off. I do have a few questions since i am a noob. Do I go through the wash/clay bar first then put the FK1000P on, let it sit, and wipe off? Also, is this the correct product: http://www.autogeek.net/finish-kare-1000p-wax.html The dryer sheet seems like something I might try, if it works that well I would be in heaven haha. |
04-30-2012, 10:10 PM | #25 | |
Scooby Guru
Member#: 25187
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: So. CA
Vehicle:2020 Forester 2010 Challenger R/T |
Quote:
Yes, you would definitely wash the car before applying any LSP (i.e. wax/sealant). .....and clay if needed/desired. Whisper thin coats are key to this product which will make removal easier. ....and yes, you let it haze before wiping off. Keep it off trim, crevices, etc. It will dry white like a traditional paste wax. Also, I would personally recommend adding a 2nd coat a week or so later. I have noticed a dramatic increase in durability with a 2nd application. .....IMO/IME, I think it's worth it. |
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