Proactive Steps to Ease Bug Removal From Trip

[Monk]

I ammaking the trek across the state for the Meguiars class and would like to minimize the big splatter. Once, during lovebug season, I sprayed the front of the car and mirrors with Armour All. I was a terrible mess on arrival, but everything slid right off.

What are the downsides to this? Would it remove any wax or other protectant? Anything else?

Any other ideas for this?

QD would probably dry right up?

Heavy Speed Wax application without removing it?

[PaintPolisher]

I wonder if PAM cooking spray would work?

[Mikeyc]

I have two words for you . . . painter's tape. Tape up your whole front end and it will be like a temporary bra. As long as you use painter's tape it will come right off without leaving any adhesive residue. All the bugs will be on the tape and you won't have to clean a thing! Your car will look awfully dumb, but it will be protected and it's only for one day. A lot of guys I know do this to their car when they take it to the track. It helps with rock chips and other track annoyances.

[djtrackie]

Saran wrap

[Mikeyc]

After posting to this thread last night, I ran across a product called Bug Blocker made by Diamondite. Apparently you spread it on the car where ever you think a bug might hit and it protects the finish from bug guts and makes them easier to remove. According to the product description when you're done with Bug Blocker the stuff just hoses off.

[CELL]

Originally posted by djtrackie
Saran wrap

NO

There was a thread in here awhile ago about some guy who put some kind of clear, unbreathable plastic wrap on his trunk/wing (I believe) and it stained the paint something awful.
It may have been a combination of elements, but either way....I wouldnt chance that. What happened to his car was horrible and took many hours and money to somewhat correct

[Magic]

Originally posted by CELL
NO

There was a thread in here awhile ago about some guy who put some kind of clear, unbreathable plastic wrap on his trunk/wing (I believe) and it stained the paint something awful.
It may have been a combination of elements, but either way....I wouldnt chance that. What happened to his car was horrible and took many hours and money to somewhat correct

I remember that.. I think it was a plastic tarp, and sweated the moisture into the paint.. Not onto but into the paint! I'll try and find it later.

[STG]

Just buy a Colgan Bra.

[danielsan]

Originally posted by CELL
NO

There was a thread in here awhile ago about some guy who put some kind of clear, unbreathable plastic wrap on his trunk/wing (I believe) and it stained the paint something awful.
It may have been a combination of elements, but either way....I wouldnt chance that. What happened to his car was horrible and took many hours and money to somewhat correct

Yeah it's true, they put some kind of oil or grease on saran wrap so food doesn't stick, and I've heard it doesn't combine well with car paint. Much better with the tape solution. You can buy it in really broad widths in some places, won't look as bad as you think.

[Monk]

SInce starting this thread, and immediately upon return from the Tampa Trip, I found a product that does what I was looking to do. Since there does not appear to be a competing Meguiars product, I hope it is OK to mention its name :Bug Blocker" by Diamondite.

[rascal]

How about a good wash, polish and wax before you leave. Then when you get to where your going, give your car another wash. A good coating of Meguiar's wax will help ease the bug problem. I know when I head to Texas, I wash, polish and wax my car before I leave. When I get there, I just wash my car again and it's like new. The bugs were no problem for me at all. If you let bugs sit on your car for a long periord of time a.k.a the previous owners of my car , it will eat the paint...believe me..my bumper shows it. The rest of the car is fine, because I keep it washed and waxed. I don't like using those bras on a car, b/c they can do more harm than good. A friend of mine told me about some stuff that goes over your paint like a bra. It's called Clear Bra and the website is: xpel.com [Edited for commercial link; 2hotford] They have kits that are cut to fit for a specific car. Just another option to check out.

[Newport Viper]

For stubborn bugs. ( You guys in the south...love bugs, take note.) Bounce dryer sheets. Just wet, wipe on, wipe off. Bugs come right off!

[Monk]

Originally posted by rascal
How about a good wash, polish and wax before you leave. Then when you get to where your going, give your car another wash. A good coating of Meguiar's wax will help ease the bug problem. I know when I head to Texas, I wash, polish and wax my car before I leave. When I get there, I just wash my car again and it's like new. The bugs were no problem for me at all. If you let bugs sit on your car for a long periord of time a.k.a the previous owners of my car , it will eat the paint...believe me..my bumper shows it. The rest of the car is fine, because I keep it washed and waxed. I don't like using those bras on a car, b/c they can do more harm than good. A friend of mine told me about some stuff that goes over your paint like a bra. It's called Clear Bra and the website is: xpel.com They have kits that are cut to fit for a specific car. Just another option to check out.

And you are very right. With a good coat of wax, the buigs came off, after washing, with a little QD, and an extra rub.

[LAfirefytr]

Newport Viper, the Bounce doesn't leave any residue that may harm the paint , does it? I live in the Deep South and love bugs are already here in my area. I will try just about anything. I have always kept a good coat of wax on my vehicles and especially the front bumper area. Even with this though, I've had the bugs eat through and into my bumper paint and leave etchings. I would love to try the Bounce application, just want to make sure I won't be removing the wax or leaving damaging residue; solve one problem and create another. Anyone else tried this. It will be great if it works because I cannot always just wash the bugs off right away because I'm either out running around town or going to work when the bugs get on. I don't always have access to water and a hose but I could keep the Bounce sheets in my truck. Right now, I'm using QD mist and a bug sponge, but I'm going through QD too quick and it's not cheap to keep buying it but I guess it beats having to repaint a bumper...huh!!!!

[rascal]

Honestly, when you live in the "Bug" South and you drive quite a bit, your going to have bug problems. I honestly wouldn't use anything that wasn't made for my car's finish a.k.a dryer sheets. The thought of that against my paint is like the thought of fingernails against a black board. If you want to keep the bugs off your vehicle, washing with water and car soap or using QD all the time are the only safest ways. I give my car's front bumper at least two coats of DC#3 after I wash my car. I use a Meguiar's wash mitt and it takes the bugs off with just a little elbow grease. I use the bug mitt on my windshield only since light scratching won't hurt my windshield or bother me.