Bug Magnet
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO
Bug Magnet
Well, just took the truck on it's first trip from Boulder, CO to Moab, UT and must have killed several million bugs along the way. I swear, I've never seen anything like it - you'd think this truck was made out of honey.
Once I got back, my OCD started killing me...these bugs are driving me crazy. Anyone have any good tips for getting them off? I've already hit up the power wash twice to get the big "chunks" off, but I can get the stains off the chrome or the paint. And suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Once I got back, my OCD started killing me...these bugs are driving me crazy. Anyone have any good tips for getting them off? I've already hit up the power wash twice to get the big "chunks" off, but I can get the stains off the chrome or the paint. And suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Prescott, Arizona
I think my truck is a bug magnet too... it currently looks just like yours!
In the past, I have had really good luck with Turtle Wax™ Bug & Tar Remover. Should be available at most auto accessory stores i.e. Pep Boys, Checker, etc. I haven't used it since they switched from the yellow aerosol can, but I know that the old stuff worked great! I'll pick up this new spray bottle for an evaluation this weekend...
In the past, I have had really good luck with Turtle Wax™ Bug & Tar Remover. Should be available at most auto accessory stores i.e. Pep Boys, Checker, etc. I haven't used it since they switched from the yellow aerosol can, but I know that the old stuff worked great! I'll pick up this new spray bottle for an evaluation this weekend...
Guest
Posts: n/a
With all my seat time I have seen some truly bug infested highways.
soak with water
hit with power sprayer
simple greena and a wash mit
Works every time.
I also put a coat of Rain-X wax on my bg zone areas every time i wash.
If you know for a fact you are going thru some dreadfully bug infested area you can (and this really works) get you a can of Pledge furniture polish (all it is is wax for wood) and spray your grill and bumpers. dont wipe it off. When you get home just wash the bugs off and wash the grill. Truckers have been doing it for years.
Did you know you can use Mop-n-glo on your tires as well.
soak with water
hit with power sprayer
simple greena and a wash mit
Works every time.
I also put a coat of Rain-X wax on my bg zone areas every time i wash.
If you know for a fact you are going thru some dreadfully bug infested area you can (and this really works) get you a can of Pledge furniture polish (all it is is wax for wood) and spray your grill and bumpers. dont wipe it off. When you get home just wash the bugs off and wash the grill. Truckers have been doing it for years.
Did you know you can use Mop-n-glo on your tires as well.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
From: Boulder, CO
Man - that is some good info all around! Thanks guys...I'll pick up some Simple Green (and 2 wash mitts 
), Turtle Wax, Mop-n-Glo, and Pledge tonight and give them a shootout over the next couple weeks (yes, my life is THAT boring). I'm actually excited about this - **** bugs have been driving me crazy on every car I've ever owned.
), Turtle Wax, Mop-n-Glo, and Pledge tonight and give them a shootout over the next couple weeks (yes, my life is THAT boring). I'm actually excited about this - **** bugs have been driving me crazy on every car I've ever owned.
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 231
Likes: 0
From: Prescott, Arizona
Originally posted by kindog
**** bugs have been driving me crazy on every car I've ever owned.
**** bugs have been driving me crazy on every car I've ever owned.
Trending Topics
Administrator / Scooter Bum
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 9,086
Likes: 49
From: Central VA
Also use the hottest water you can stand to put your hands in.
It helps sometimes to use a towel dipped in the hot water to "soak" the stubborn areas for a minute before scrubbing them off.
One of my buddys uses one of the "steamers" they sell in the infomercials to clean the bugs off of his truck and Harley.
(just be careful to not let it steam too long on plastic parts)
It helps sometimes to use a towel dipped in the hot water to "soak" the stubborn areas for a minute before scrubbing them off.
One of my buddys uses one of the "steamers" they sell in the infomercials to clean the bugs off of his truck and Harley.
(just be careful to not let it steam too long on plastic parts)
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Houston, TX
Thanks guys for the tips. I agree with the rain-x but I'll have to try the pledge trick on the next road trip.
Water is the best solvent in the known universe. Soak them bugs real good! It softens them up. Hot water and a towel, like Shovelhead said, works well. When they're soft, the cleaner (simple green, etc.) can remove their sticky innards more easily.
Water is the best solvent in the known universe. Soak them bugs real good! It softens them up. Hot water and a towel, like Shovelhead said, works well. When they're soft, the cleaner (simple green, etc.) can remove their sticky innards more easily.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
hah, thats about what my truck looked like after a 2200 mile trip down to florida and back without a wash !!!!
i paid the neighbor kid 20 dollars to clean all the bugs off the chrome, he was there for 2 hours atliest... **** he made good money.
i paid the neighbor kid 20 dollars to clean all the bugs off the chrome, he was there for 2 hours atliest... **** he made good money.
Banned
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
It looks like a big fat one hit your front plate
I acctually wax my grill and bumper most of them just bounce off and splat on my wind shield the ones that stick get the old never dull it comes in little rags inside a steal can get it @ any auto parts store
I acctually wax my grill and bumper most of them just bounce off and splat on my wind shield the ones that stick get the old never dull it comes in little rags inside a steal can get it @ any auto parts store
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Elizabeth City, NC
We have bugs down here year-round near-bouts. After I wash the truck I make sure to put an extra heavy coat of wax on the front. Good advice on the Pledge. I'll have to try that one. Now, does anyone have any ideas for rocks! Seems as though my windshield is a rock magnet. The deflector is worthless when it comes to stopping rocks
.
.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 5,540
Likes: 0
From: Boise, Idaho
Guys...isn't Simple Green hard on the finish? I believe it will eat away any effort to keep a freshly waxed surface. One of the easiest and harmless methods I have used is to wash (using a car wash soap that is wax friendly) the truck normally and do not spend any extra time on the fron where the bugs are. After drying, take Turtle chrome polish to the chrome where the bugs are and a wax/cleaner (Meguires works for me) to where the bugs are on the paint. A quick wipe on all the affected spots and they are gone.