what are some good products for cleaning off bug guts on the front fascia?

did a lot of interstate travel this weekend and my front end is covered....

 

The first step is to make sure you've got a good layer of protection on the paint... this makes cleaning significantly easier.

If the bugs are loose, a simple car wash will remove the remaining debris. However, if the bugs are really stuck on there, you're likely going to need to use a solvent to help breakup the bug guts and make them easier to remove.

I would recommend something like Poorboy's World Bug Squash, Stoner Tarminator, or similar. You can also pickup an inexpensive Bug Sponge that will help to agitate the areas and remove the bug guts.

Keep in mind - bug guts are acidic and cause permanent damage in a relatively short amount of time, so it is very important to remove them as soon as possible.

If you need to use a heavy cleaner, you're going to want to make sure you apply a new layer of wax or sealant afterwards as the bug & tar remover products will degrade or remove any wax or sealant that is on that area.

Zach McGovern
Detailed Image Ask-A-Pro Blog Author
Attention to Detailing Peoria - Home

 

Get a bucket of HOT water and a couple of towels. Put the towels in the bucket and pull them out, put them on the bugs and let them sit for a few minutes. Repeat. Don't try to wring the towel out, just throw them on there dripping wet. Wash the car and rewax it. This method has never failed me, just be careful not to scald yourself.

 

I was under the impression that you should NEVER use hot water on your car's finish.

 

Warm/Hot water should not harm your paint. Think about how hot your vehicle gets sitting outside under the hot sun.



Zach McGovern
Detailed Image Ask-A-Pro Blog Author
Attention to Detailing Peoria - Home

 

The only thing the hot water might do is take the wax off. The cleaners Zach mentioned will probably do the same thing. I have tried bug and tar removers without success, but never the ones he mentioned. He is a detailer so I'm sure he wouldn't have recommended a bad or harmful product. Also if he thought the hot water was a bad idea he would have said so. I would never use it on the whole car unless I was stripping the wax off to polish it. Notice that we both said to re-wax the car when the bugs are off. A few years back I tried to get the bugs off our F150 after a trip to Florida, and the hot water and towels was the only thing that worked. I may try to find the products Zach mentioned though for future use

PS I would remove as much of the bug guts as possible with a strong stream of water before using either method.