Hard to remove bug spots

[tadpole]

I just purchased a used 2005 Murano. The car is in pretty good condition with 59K miles. But there are a lot og bug jiuce spots on the front bumper and hood. I was readng through Meguiars website and saw their 5 step process and gave it a try. I washed the car and then used the clay bar kit to clean it. I then used the paint cleaner. After going through this process I thought that the bug spots would be removed but there were not. It did remove some of them but not the majority. The paint feels smooth to the touch now but I can still see lots of spots on the paint. Did I not use the clay bar correctly? Did I miss something?

[Murr1525]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

Can you tell if it is etched in? If so, you may need a stronger cleaner that can remove etching/swirls.

Also, you may want to look into a bug and tar remover if it is just really stuck on guts.

Or it could be both.....

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

I would try the bug and tar remover. Let it dwell for a while on the stains. remember after using the bug and tar remover you will have to rewax the area.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

I'm with Matt...

Are these spots a tiny etching "in" the paint, as in below the surface or a little bump "on" the paint that you can feel and tell is above the surface.

Clay for above but if they're below then you need to remove some paint surrounding the etchings to level the paint out.

Check this article out in our Hot Topics forum...


What it means to remove a scratch out of anything...


While the title uses the word scratch, the same principals apply to any type of below surface defect.

[Tom Weed]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

Like others have mentioned, it could be etching. One possibility though could be they are just very difficult to remove. One thing I've had success with is spraying the area with APC and letting it dwell, then using a bug sponge to wash the area with, like the ones sold at Autodetailingsolutions.

Tom

[tadpole]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

Thanks for the info. I Have used bug tar removing already and it didn't do much. Maybe I should leave it on a little longer. The paint feels smooth so I don't think it is etched but I could be wrong. Sorry what is APC?

[irf@n]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

Sorry what is APC?

All Purpose Cleaner

[Lexus Guy04]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

I would try the Gold Class Bug & Tar Remover or APC left to dwell for some time, then scrubbed away with a bug sponge sold at ADS. If this does not work, you will need to use a compound and see if that works as well.

[Murr1525]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

You would probably not feel the etching.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

You would probably not feel the etching.

Especially if the etchings are very shallow...

If claying didn't fix the problem then it's highly likely the problem is an etching and you'll need to either live with the defects or use a product that will remove a little paint to level out the surface.

You can try using the paint cleaner you already bought to start with, I' guessing that's the Deep Crystal Paint Cleaner? Apply using a clean, foam applicator pad and only work a small section at at time, about 8" to 10" squarish section or so...

Apply about a teaspoon of product to the pad and then work it against the paint for about a minute. Stop before the product dissipates, you should always have a wet film of product on the surface. Your applicator pad will soak of some of the first bit of product you apply to the pad so focus on the task at hand and add product as needed.

Do a test section to see if this is working and if so continue if not then let us know.

[tadpole]

Re: Hard to remove bug spots

Thanks for all the good tips. I will let you know how it comes out.