It's bug season!

[krea1975]

What's the best way to remove bugs without destroying your paint, it's bad in PA right now so sandblasting crossed my mind. Is All Purpose Cleaner to harsh? Is Detail Spray not strong enough? Most of the blue on the front my car is now Bug Gut Brown and that was after 2 days of commuting back and forth to work.

[slapshot87]

I'm pretty new around here but I've had good success so far with the Waterless Wash.  I just turn the nozzle to stream, fire away, let it soak in a little before hitting it again & following up with a microfiber towel (which I also pre-wet a little with additional spray).  From what I've read on here, it seems like a lot of the forum members dilute their Rinseless Wash (16:1) and use that on bugs and bird bombs.  Once I use up my current supply of Waterless, I'm going to try that myself since diluted Rinseless is much more economical. 

[jakerodz7]

As Sherri mentioned waterless wash works very well, but it will be costly in the long run. I think you would be safe using detail spray, but again it would be a more costly alternative.  I would stay away from APC not because it is too harsh, as Adams APC is actually very user friendly and "forgiving", however it will end up removing the protection on your paint and you will be left with bare paint that will have more bugs encrusted on it. If you do decide to use APC make sure you DO NOT let it dry on the finish. 

 I have had great success with diluting Rinseless 16:1, I initially just spray the product on the affected area and let it soak. After that I set my sprayer to a stream pattern and hit the persistent bugs with the stream to fully remove them from the paint. 

 

Hopefully this helps! 

[mc2hill]

It depends on if you want to save the protection, or reapply.  

 

To keep the protection, try Waterless Wash, as the other suggested.  Spray it and let it sit for a few minutes, then spray again.  For a regular bucket cleaning, soak some thin MF towels in you wash solution (Wash Shampoo or Rinseless Wash), and place them over the bugs for 5-10 min.  

 

For 'deeper' cleaning, try APC 1:1 with distilled water.  

[Nathan]

I always have RW diluted 16:1 to make WW, and like everyone else, I blast the bug guts, let it soak and spray them off! You could also use the standard wash pad in the front to try to get the bugs, and the merino mitt on the rest of the car, but the WW method works great, and APC will strip your wax just like a clay bar!

Edited June 2, 2017 by Nathan

[PHOKUS]

My favorite bug treatment is Waterless Wash. It works best when the product is warm/hot but the paint is cool to the touch. For this reason I leave a bottle in the car and let the sun warm it up.

[krea1975]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Looks like a bottle of Waterless Wash and a bottle for dilution will be in my next order.

[SJP]

I've never had a problem using detail spray.  I usually spray fairly heavy, let it sit for several minutes and take clean microfiber and gently wipe the bugs off.  Of course some protection on the front end helps a lot when dealing with bugs.

[Beemer]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Looks like a bottle of Waterless Wash and a bottle for dilution will be in my next order.

 

You want Rinseless Wash if you're going to dilute your own.  Waterless Wash is "ready to use".

 

It's confusing at first but once you've used both you'll understand.

[chops1sc]

My go-to method for bug removal is as follows:

Pressure washer to remove the loose bug carcasses

Wait 5 minutes

Pressure wash again. I get a lot more off the second time around)

Treat the remaining bugs with Waterless Wash

Wait 5 minutes

Pressure wash again. Even more come off.

Proceed with 2BWM and "scrub" (sarcasticly) off the remaining bug guts with a MF towel

[Chris@Adams]

I agree WW is your best friend during bug season.

No matter if I am doing a 2 bucket wash or a WW I always spray down the bugs and let them soak while doing the rest of the car. Works Great!

[Rich]

I keep Guard and Gloss on my dd, and it keeps those little PA critters from sticking as bad.  I can usually get them off just with Detail Spray.  Come to think of it, I took a drive last night and have a few to get off right now. 

[JDrach]

I use diluted rinseless 1:16 with water, after a 2 hour trip with bugs galore, soaking that witha  blue waffle weave worked well