Serious bug problems

[JoeDirt]

I just took possession of my Mom's old 2007 Camry, as they are buying a new 2011 Ford Fusion.

Problem is, they're not into detailing, or heck- for that matter, washing cars. I think the most it gets washed is when I happened to do it maybe once a year when I visited them and had time to wash it.

The issue, is that there are ancient bugs on it. Not like from a couple of months ago, I'm talking a couple of years ago.

After soaking them with a wet towel for a couple of hours frequently re-spraying, I tried washing them off with all of the bug and tar chemicals I have, all my Megs stuff, up to and including a light hand application of Bon Ami. Nothing will remove these fossils. They're unattractive white remnants, and I'm wondering if they are now embedded in the clear coat, and the only solution is a refinish. I can feel them, but nothing removes them.

This is the first Toyota I've owned, so I know jack about Toyota paint, and would like to try a red pad and some UC, but not sure how much clearcoat is on there, but I have to do something- it looks horrible.

This is as good as I could get with my Blackberry. Sorry about the pics.

Anyone have any great ideas? I'm stuck.

[Murr1525]

Re: Serious bug problems

You have used clay and a paint cleaner?

[Mike Pennington]

Re: Serious bug problems

If you did all that on your BB, pretty cool...

Do a quick test by hand with some UC. Take a small area and work it by hand with a few applications and see what happens...

If you can do that and let us know how it goes, that would help

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Serious bug problems

I use Super-Degreaser 10:1 let it soak for 5min (aprox) then using a bug sponge and car wash, clean that area. Wash the whole car, then clay. After clay I polish.

[cnfowler]

Re: Serious bug problems

They definitely appear to be etched into the paint. Sorry for the bad news. I saw that all the time in Florida. Love Bugs are highly acidic. I've seen the entire front end and side mirrors of vehicle completely ruined due to people not washing the Love Bugs off.

Colin
Colin

[Bill Davidson]

Re: Serious bug problems

They definitely appear to be etched into the paint. Sorry for the bad news. I saw that all the time in Florida. Love Bugs are highly acidic. I've seen the entire front end and side mirrors of vehicle completely ruined due to people not washing the Love Bugs off.

Colin
Colin

It does look that way.

I would remove them as best possible, like you did. Next I would clay until the surface is entirely smooth. Whatever remains will need to be polished out (if possible). This is where I would turn to Ultimate Compound (if working by hand). Do a small test section and see if you are make progress.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: Serious bug problems

I agree. They look etched into the paint. I would clay. Then use the Ultimate compound. Start with a foam applicator, then if need be step up to terry cloth. Good luck.

[BobbyG]

Re: Serious bug problems

These guys are right one here. Start of as aggressive as possible in one spot and see if things improve. If you can get most of it off try applying a glaze to hide some of the blemishes.

[BlackScreaminMachine]

Re: Serious bug problems

I bought my Trans Am with 30k on the Odom. The girl who owned it since new lived near Boston and bug washing was not a priority. I definitly had some etched bug juice stains. I ended up putting a WS.6 Hood on the car so naturally the bumper, head light covers and fenders were blended so its fine.

I just try to keep up on it now.

[carcareGAL]

Re: Serious bug problems

sorry to ask a question in here, but in picture #2, right in the center is a black spot, are you guys saying that spot is from a bug?
gesh, I have these and thought they were tar. (they tar roads here every summer, which we have to drive on).
I wish there were pics on the net to look up what some of this stuff was!!
I had NO idea.

[DualActionDetail]

Re: Serious bug problems

sorry to ask a question in here, but in picture #2, right in the center is a black spot, are you guys saying that spot is from a bug?
gesh, I have these and thought they were tar. (they tar roads here every summer, which we have to drive on).
I wish there were pics on the net to look up what some of this stuff was!!
I had NO idea.

I think the black spot (s) in that picture are actually spots where the paint has peeled away.

[Underdawg736]

Re: Serious bug problems

My black Focus was seriously neglected by my wife prior to getting bit by the detailing bug. Unfortunately it's too late to save the front end since the clear coat has been etched to all get out by bugs! I've tried several different products...all the way up to M105 and it did nothing to improve the etching. Nothing short of a repaint is going to fix it so I've learned to live with it.

Unfortunately your bumper looks to be in the same condition as my bumper, never worked with toyota paint on a correction scale before so I'm unsure how it'll work using compounds.

[Murr1525]

Re: Serious bug problems

Yeah, the middle of pic #2 looks like a stone chip, or something that removed paint.

[JoeDirt]

Re: Serious bug problems

Sorry for the delay, my internet was out at home...

The black spot is indeed a rock chip.

I have clayed with both mild and aggressive grade clays.

I've tried everything from ScratchX to UC to whatever I have aside from rubbing compound or wet-sanding. I think they're into the clearcoat, and unfortunately, I think a respray might be the only real solution if a wetsand doesn't cure the problem.

Thanks for all of the thoughts!!!

[carcareGAL]

Re: Serious bug problems

so a rock chip, leaves a bump that is black also?
I have gotten most of the black spots off, but i just couldn't understand how the tar got all the way up there(roof almost) on our vehicles!
my black spots are like yours, but they are raised.
I always thought a rock chip took a part of the paint off and left an area that needed to be filled in with paint (and/or primer).
gosh, I need a class in this stuff! wish one was offered in my area!! um, it would need to be for gals, tho.