Bug guts...

Bopo

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Just a quickie... I do a lot of motorway miles so my car gets covered with a lot of insect brains / guts.

They don't seem to come off with a snow-foam wash so I'd have to scrub at them with a cloth. Not good. I needed to find a better 'solution', so to speak.

I found a strong mix of APC as a pre wash does the trick. I use Meguiars at 4:1 as my strong mix (upholstery gets 10:1) but I'm sure other APCs would work.

I use a generic spray bottle I got from Amazon to mix it and spray the bug splats while I'm doing the wheels. By the time I snow foam the car even the 'Starship Troopers' sized bugs have become smears of bug-custard down my bonnet and grille.

No scrubbing needed. Thought I'd share as you've probably already got the necessary products but didn't realise APC was this useful!

Happy detailing.
 

rorywquin

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A good citrus cleaner works well (I use the Autofinesse stuff) however if you have a good sealant or coating on the paintwork they do come off quite easily.
 

John Laidlaw

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As above get a ceramic after you’ve all the bugs off
Also to get the critters off - drape an old towel over the bug spatter area and pour hot water on, leave for 10 /15 minutes and most of the cack will lift off without drama. I also use a Gyeon product after on any of the stubborn ones
As you’ve found , don’t scrub you’ll swirl your paint or worse.
Same as above for bird poo by the way...ask me how I know ?
 

AMGeed

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I have found the Halfords branded bug removal spray in the green bottle is effective.
Spray the bugs, leave for 5 mins, wash off with no drama.
 
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Bopo

Bopo

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As above get a ceramic after you’ve all the bugs off

Ceramic is definitely on the cards. I'd like to do it myself. My paintwork is in very good condition - thankfully it seems the previous owner never allowed anyone to stick a sponge over it as there are very few marks in the paint - but I'd like to first use a mech polisher and a mild compound to clear any imperfections.

I'll never get the wet look on pearl white paint but I've found that carnuba wax after a LOT of oxide remover really gets the metallic showing, so a few coats of that, a sealer and then a ceramic coat should leave me with nothing more than an occasional two stage wash to keep her looking fantastic.

Same as above for bird poo by the way...ask me how I know ?

I can only assume you are visited by the same winged behemoth that unloads the ungodly contents of it's capacious bowels all over my paintwork even before the polish has hardened?
 

rorywquin

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a sealer and then a ceramic coat should leave me with nothing more than an occasional two stage wash to keep her looking fantastic.



I can only assume you are visited by the same winged behemoth that unloads the ungodly contents of it's capacious bowels all over my paintwork even before the polish has hardened?

No point putting ceramic on sealer - one or the other!
 
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Bopo

Bopo

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No point putting ceramic on sealer - one or the other!

By sealer I only meant a second stage polish, but I'll look into it a bit more. Cheers!
 

Morethanpolish

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I've been using thisi for about 4 bug seasons, and its brilliant. Don't even need a pressure washer to wash them off after a dwell time of 2-3 minutes.
And its also wax safe - unlike APC which will dissolve your wax. I have 3 cars to do and a bottle lasts me 2 seasons, no bad for £7.49 for a litre.
https://morethanpolish.com/product/kenotek-anti-insect-cleaner-1-litre/
 
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Bopo

Bopo

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Bopo

Bopo

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I didn't know APC would damage wax! I've ordered a bottle of Kenotek to try.

Works perfectly, thanks for the tip. I managed to get a fresh coat of carnuba wax onto it as well during the good weather on Saturday. All ready for winter.
 

Morethanpolish

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Great, thank you for taking up the suggestion.

As you all probably realise I sponsor this section in order to sell products, but having built a reputation over the last 16 years for offering sound advice and products which work, with thousands of repeat and referral customers, its gratifying to hear good feedback from posts I have made where someone learns something and benefits from a new solution. Thank you
 

JBell

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Microfiber soaked in car wash stuff and laid over them for 5 mins does the trick
 

Abb

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I bought the Kenotek last year following a recommendation on here. Its great stuff!
 

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