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Cleaning Off Bugs and Tar?

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  • #1

    Cleaning Off Bugs and Tar?

    I am going to detail my Dad's minivan and am looking for a product or some tips on removing many bugs and some tar from the front and sides of the car.

    I have done this before solely using Meguiar's Gold Class Bug & Tar Cleaner but this took an extremely long time. I tried some today and it seems to have taken some of it off, but not nearly everything.

    I have a clay bar but have doubts that would work to remove everything. Regardless, it's worth a try. But, does anyone have suggestions on any products I could use or things I could do to solve the problem?

    Also, as a side note, I've noticed the Bug & Tar Cleaner seems to leave an oily residue on the car. Any way to remove that without washing the car?

    Thanks!
    - Brian
    2006 Acura TSX with Navi
    Past: 1997 Honda Accord LX
    Tags: None
  • #2
    First, spray the bugs with the hose and let then rehydrate for about 15 minutes; they come off much easier that way.

    I read just the other day that bugs & tar are "non-polar", thus making them harder to configure solvents for without damaging paint.

    I've found that spraying your B&T remover, waiting AT LEAST 5 minutes, wiping, and then respraying again if necessary, is the best and mildest way to remove those things.


    Tom
    As the light changed from red to green to yellow and back to red again, I sat there thinking about life. Was it nothing more than a bunch of honking and yelling? Sometimes it seemed that way.

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    • #3
      Once you use the GC bug and tar remover do you need to rewax? I have never used it but I have it on my order comming next week.
      Brandon

      2007 Black Chevy Avalanche
      My Albums: Avalanche
      Meguiars Online Acronyms - Meguiars Product List....

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      • #4
        I know this is a meg's forum, but if you want an awesome bug & tar remover you should try Stoner's bug & tar. Just spray it on and wipe it right off. Work awesome.

        If you have wax in the area you spray, you will need to rewax
        Products are only a good as the detailer using them.

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        • #5
          I purchased some GC Bug and Tar remover a few weeks ago and used it once so far.

          It's not what I expected. When you spray it on, it goes on like a white foamy spray. One thing nice about the foam aspect is that it stays where you spray it. It doesn't run on vertical surfaces.

          The part I'm not sure I like is that as you let the product sit, it sort of hardeneds or crystallizes. You don't notice at first, but when you go to wipe it off, it's almost crusting feeling.

          I'm not sure how the product works, but I assume it is encapsulating the bug carcass and then as you wipe off it takes the bug with the product so as to lessen the chance to scratch the paint. (?) It does leave an oily residue/smear which wasn't easy to clean off, so I would assume you have to rewax. I don't know.

          I'm not familiar with how other bug and tar removers work as I just used Turtle Wax B&T remover in the past. It is almost like a liquid wax that you rub on to get the bugs off.

          Now that I've learned so much more about paint care, I'm not sure the old (purchased in the 80's) TW B&T approach is too good as I would think you would have more of a chance to scratch the paint. TW has a newer B&T spray that I heard is good, but I wanted to try Meguiar's product first.

          I still have to get used to the product and I'm not sure if what I explained is exactly how the product works (encapsulating bugs); however, the results were good and it did take off the bugs. I haven't used it on tar yet.

          I'd like to hear feedback on GC or other B&T products and tips/tricks for bug/tar removal as the bug attacks can get pretty bad here during the summer.
          A great finish begins with the right start!

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          • #6
            I don't if it works on removing bugs, but WD-40 works real good on road tar.
            r. b.

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